Figure skater earns 1st Russian gold
The Russians finally have a gold medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics, thanks to a 15-year-old who beat the fellow teen who inspired her to become a figure skater.
Alina Zagitova won one of the Games’ spotlight events Friday, edging her friend and training partner, 18-year-old Evgenia Medvedeva. That ended the gold drought for the Olympic Athletes from Russia — the designation given to the nation’s competitors after the IOC banned the nation because of a doping scandal. Zagitova and Medvedeva tied in the free skate, a rare occurrence, but Zagitova had won the short program Wednesday.
“I can’t believe I am the champion,” Zagitova said.
Bronze went to Kaetlyn Osmond, giving Canada four medals in figure skating.
Medvedeva seemed well on her way to Olympic gold as she went unbeaten for two seasons, but she dealt with a cracked bone in her right foot this season and Zagitova emerged.
Medvedeva set a world mark in the short program. A few minutes later, her countrywoman beat it. The difference in the short program wound up being the margin between gold and silver.
On Friday, Zagitova went first, greeted by loud cheers from the Russian fans desperate for that first gold.
She nailed everything with fluid flair and technical brilliance. Zagitova earned 156.65 points for her program to “Don Quixote,” laying down the challenge for her countrywoman.
Medvedeva matched it, but that was not enough.
“I wanted to leave everything out there on the ice,” she said. “I’ve got no regrets.”
Other than Mirai Nagasu’s triple axel, it was not a memorable Olympics for the American women. They finished ninth, 10th and 11th, their weakest showing since World War II. Sixth place had been the low point.
Nagasu, fourth at the Vancouver Games in 2010, became the first American woman to land that 3½-revolution jump in an Olympics, helping the United States take the team bronze. From there, it was downhill. She did not get elevation for the triple axel Friday and ended up 10th.
She was one spot in front of Fremont’s Karen Chen, the 2017 U.S. champion. Bradie Tennell, this year’s winner at nationals, was ninth.
Chen fell once and had bobbles on other jumps and moves. Tennell, who heading to South Korea hadn’t missed a jump all season, twice stepped out on planned combinations.
Both are expected to keep skating and will need vast improvement to catch the Russians, Japanese and Canadians who have come to dominate the women’s event. Women’s skicross: Canada’s Kelsey Serwa raced to victory, giving her a gold medal to go with the silver she won in Sochi four years ago.
Serwa raced to the lead early in the final and was well in front when she reached the bottom of the course at Phoenix Snow Park. Canadian teammate Brittany Phelan made an impressive pass late in the run to finish second.
Serwa’s win came two days after Canada’s Brady Leman took gold in the men’s event.
Switzerland’s Fanny Smith held off Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund for bronze.
Serwa and Phelan gave the Canadians a one-two finish, but teammates Marielle Thompson and India Sherrit were not so fortunate. Thompson, the defending Olympic champion, clipped a ski in the first elimination round and did not finish. Sherrit left the course in a medical sled following a frightening crash. There was no immediate update on her status. Women’s hockey: Canadian defenseman Jocelyne Larocque said she wishes she hadn’t taken off her silver medal almost immediately after it was placed around her neck.
Larocque issued a statement apologizing, saying emotions got the best of her Thursday after a 3-2 shootout loss to the United States and she meant no disrespect. Larocque says she takes being a role model and representing Canada seriously and is truly sorry that her actions did not represent her values or those of her family and team. Curling: The South Korea women’s team has become a global sensation. And the players don’t even know it.
The team known as the “Garlic Girls” came into the games as the underdog who few believed would medal. Now, they’re No. 1 in the rankings.
They have earned worldwide attention for their talent and funny personality. Their coach has shielded them from publicity and the women agreed to turn off their phones before the Games. So, they have no idea they’re stars.
After a recent match, the women were quickly shuffled past waiting reporters, giving journalists apologetic smiles and greetings of “Anyonghaseyo!” (hello) before vanishing.
“I’m sorry that I could not bring the athletes today, because I’m worried there will be too much pressure and burden on them,” coach Kim Min-jung said. “Even the crowd is too interested in them.”