Men's Free Skate
The Men's Free programs begin with Parkinson of Italy, who falls on his initial quadruple salchow. After hitting the ice, he recovers with a slightly shaky combination, but falls again on a triple axel. His late program triple flip and triple loop were much more passable, but his overall performance won't do much to help Italy rise in the standings. He seemed happy with his 121.23 score as his Italian teammates congratulated him.
American skater Jason Brown completes his initial double axel and triple axel, double toe combination well. His next triple axel is clean as well. He seems to flaunt the Irish theme of his program and the audience joins him in thoroughly enjoying the music. Peanut gallery, "He looks like he's dressed for Irish step dancing on ice!" Unfortunately, he falls after another jump, which will harm him more than the other skaters since Brown is the only skater who is not attempting a quadruple jump. His lively program and signature dark ponytail still capture the hearts of the audience and the remainder of his late-program jumps are executed with his customary skill. Even with the fall, he handily beats Parkinson's score with a 153.67.
Canada has replaced short program performer Patrick Chan has been replaced by Kevin Reynolds, who amazes audiences by beginning with a quadruple jump, then landing a quadruple toe, triple loop combination. He fell slightly on his triple axel, a disappointment after the stellar quality of his initial jumps. The third quadruple jump in his program is just as solid as the first two, but his musical selection and artistry are called into question. A massive climax in the music coincides well with his multiple spinning combinations to end the program. Reynolds tops the standings initially with a 167.92.
The Ice Skating Palace comes alive with the now-familiar welcome for 31 year old Russian skater Plushenko. He lands his initial quad, but changes his second into a triple jump to ensure a solid landing. His program is a combination of fiery strength and smooth elegance as he lands a triple axel triple toe double loop combination. A triple lutz, triple toe loop combination shortly following brings a roar from the audience, but a slip on the takeoff of his triple salchow forces him to turn it into a double. His astonishing leaps, fast spins, and amazing style bring life to the heavy Russian music he skates to and the arena screams out their love for Russia's modern figure skating legend. His score of 168.20 makes him the new leader, but Plushenko and his supporters are clearly disappointed by the number.
Japan's skater will be performing to Tchaikovsky's Firebird and seems to be dressed as the bird himself, with a sparkly fiery red and black outfit complete with feather accents. His initial quadruple jump is excellent, but he is forced to turn the second into a lower-scoring triple. The music roars as he flies across the ice before suddenly changing style to fit the introduction of the slower theme. A late program triple axel shows his stamina, followed by two other clean jumps. The classically jubilant end of the Firebird perfectly accompanies his triumphant finish to an important program for the Japanese team. He moves into third place with a 165.85.
Women's Free Skate
Katelyn Osmond of Canada takes the ice first in the Women's Free Skate as she performs to the soundtrack from Cleopatra. After a disastrous meltdown in warm-up, she lands her first triple flip double toe combination and her double axel triple toe loop combination shortly following. However, she takes a hard fall on her triple lutz that could prove disastrous for Canada's chances at stealing the Russian gold. Her mental game is on point, but her skating seems to lack some control as she is forced to downgrade a triple jump into a double. The flair in her skating matches the exotic music playing in the background and she ends with great style. While far from her personal best, the Canadian team seems satisfied with her score of 110.73.
Gracie Gold, the United States National Champion, begins her program with a crash of music and a triple lutz, triple toe combination, shortly followed by a double axel, triple toe. She calms down into a graceful elegance as she floats across the ice before landing three more tremendous late program jumps. Her joy for skating and happiness with a well-performed program is apparent as she comes to the end of her free skate. The crowd at the arena rewards Gracie's performance with an impressive round of cheering, even with the prevalence of Russian attendees. A 129.28 is well over her personal best and she turns to her US teammates for a round of high fives and congratulations.
Japanese skater Akiko Suzuki skates to The Phantom of the Opera, beginning with the haunting music box melody and crashing to the theme after her first jumping pass. She lands her first set of jumps securely and turns to the more gracefully choreographed "Music of the Night" melody. Throughout the program, a huge smile is spread across her face as she obviously enjoys every moment of her first Olympic skate. Late program jumps remain solid and she radiates pure joy as she glides to the music that Andrew Lloyd Webber seems to have written just for her. Her score of 112.33 doesn't come close to Gracie Gold's and makes it even more difficult for Japan to squeeze their way onto the podium.
The artistry of the Italian skaters is present in Valentina Marchei's performance with her opening double axel, double toe combination. Her triple flip is solid and she brings an element of drama into her skating that has been lacking in other programs. The final jumping pass of her program is landed equally well and she seems to bring the audience onto the rink with her as the enthusiastic Italian supporters scream their appreciation. She moves into second place with a 112.51, which brings Italy ahead of Japan in the team standings.
Russian president Vladimir Putin is seen making his way into his seat in the arena as the new Russian star, Yulia Lipnitskaya waits to take the ice. She is welcomed with an incredible round of applause as the excitable audience waits to see what she will produce with her Schindler's List program. Her first triple lutz, triple toe combination is completed in her usual effortless style, as is her second jumping pass. The only element of the program that belies her very young age is the astonishing flexibility that allows her to create such beautiful lines as she skates. With each jump that she lands, the arena erupts into applause as they seem to be living the entire skate with her. The last jump of her program, a triple lutz, double toe combination leads into a finale of spinning passes, the flexibility of which leaves the peanut gallery to wonder, "How does she have a spine?" She allows herself a slight smile as she leaves the ice and dons a baseball cap emblazoned with "Russia", but the reaction from the arena tells so much more about just how incredible this free skate program was. With Vladimir Putin on his feet in the stadium, Lipnitskaya smashes Gracie Gold's lead with a tremendous 141.51, which clenches the figure skating gold for Russia as they lead the competition by 11 points.
Gracie Gold, the United States National Champion, begins her program with a crash of music and a triple lutz, triple toe combination, shortly followed by a double axel, triple toe. She calms down into a graceful elegance as she floats across the ice before landing three more tremendous late program jumps. Her joy for skating and happiness with a well-performed program is apparent as she comes to the end of her free skate. The crowd at the arena rewards Gracie's performance with an impressive round of cheering, even with the prevalence of Russian attendees. A 129.28 is well over her personal best and she turns to her US teammates for a round of high fives and congratulations.
Japanese skater Akiko Suzuki skates to The Phantom of the Opera, beginning with the haunting music box melody and crashing to the theme after her first jumping pass. She lands her first set of jumps securely and turns to the more gracefully choreographed "Music of the Night" melody. Throughout the program, a huge smile is spread across her face as she obviously enjoys every moment of her first Olympic skate. Late program jumps remain solid and she radiates pure joy as she glides to the music that Andrew Lloyd Webber seems to have written just for her. Her score of 112.33 doesn't come close to Gracie Gold's and makes it even more difficult for Japan to squeeze their way onto the podium.
The artistry of the Italian skaters is present in Valentina Marchei's performance with her opening double axel, double toe combination. Her triple flip is solid and she brings an element of drama into her skating that has been lacking in other programs. The final jumping pass of her program is landed equally well and she seems to bring the audience onto the rink with her as the enthusiastic Italian supporters scream their appreciation. She moves into second place with a 112.51, which brings Italy ahead of Japan in the team standings.
Russian president Vladimir Putin is seen making his way into his seat in the arena as the new Russian star, Yulia Lipnitskaya waits to take the ice. She is welcomed with an incredible round of applause as the excitable audience waits to see what she will produce with her Schindler's List program. Her first triple lutz, triple toe combination is completed in her usual effortless style, as is her second jumping pass. The only element of the program that belies her very young age is the astonishing flexibility that allows her to create such beautiful lines as she skates. With each jump that she lands, the arena erupts into applause as they seem to be living the entire skate with her. The last jump of her program, a triple lutz, double toe combination leads into a finale of spinning passes, the flexibility of which leaves the peanut gallery to wonder, "How does she have a spine?" She allows herself a slight smile as she leaves the ice and dons a baseball cap emblazoned with "Russia", but the reaction from the arena tells so much more about just how incredible this free skate program was. With Vladimir Putin on his feet in the stadium, Lipnitskaya smashes Gracie Gold's lead with a tremendous 141.51, which clenches the figure skating gold for Russia as they lead the competition by 11 points.
Free Dance
Charlie and Cathy Reed represent Japan as the first dancers in this final round of competition. Their program has a definitively Japanese feel as the sound of Samurai drums thunders through the arena. The brother and sister whirl across the ice and the advantage of their familial connection is clear with their motions that seem to communicate with each other without any effort on the part of the skaters. Nearly ten points short of their personal best, a 76.34 seems unlikely to be enough to put Japan in the running for a medal.
Italian dance pair dances to a Romeo and Juliet themed program, complete with period-style costumes. In typical Italian style, their theatrics appeal to the audience, who clap along to the lively music. As the storyline develops into the classic romance, the dancers glide together and demonstrate the well-known plight of Shakespeare's lovers, ending with the two lying dead in each others' arms. The Italians end with a 81.25, ahead of the Reed siblings for Japan.
The Russian team takes on a portrayal of the Black Swan as they dance to the music of Swan Lake, harking back to the use of this classic Russian piece in the Opening Ceremonies. A series of astonishingly high lifts showcases the Swan Queen before the couple turns to a light, ballet-like dance. The darker nature of Tchaikovsky's arrangement comes out in their finale, complete with the death of Giselle and the obvious pleasure of both the dancers and the monumentally excitable audience. While initially assumed to be the underdogs in this competition, their score of 103.48 is a personal best and well ahead of both Italy and Japan.
Olympic gold medal pair Virtue and Moir of Canada take on a classical program as they seek to prove the claim that they are still the best ice dancing pair in the world. Although a twizzle error in the short dance caused them to lose to Davis and White of the United States, their twizzles in the free dance went off without a hitch. A near flawless performance proved that the pair has come to this Olympics to defend their gold and that Canada will not give up its fight for the podium, even after Russia has claimed the top spot. They take the top spot with 107.56.
Davis and White of the United States skate to Shaharazod. Peanut Gallery, "She looks like Princess Jasmine!" Like in the short program, the pair demonstrates how well they work together with amazing lifts and impressive synchronization in their skating elements. They seem to float over the ice and move around the rink with great speed while maintaining their effortless style. Davis and White set a record with a score of 114.34, putting the United States in the first place in the ice dance.
Overall, Russia has claimed the first-ever gold medal in Team Figure Skating, with Canada taking the silver and the United States claiming the bronze.
The Russian team takes on a portrayal of the Black Swan as they dance to the music of Swan Lake, harking back to the use of this classic Russian piece in the Opening Ceremonies. A series of astonishingly high lifts showcases the Swan Queen before the couple turns to a light, ballet-like dance. The darker nature of Tchaikovsky's arrangement comes out in their finale, complete with the death of Giselle and the obvious pleasure of both the dancers and the monumentally excitable audience. While initially assumed to be the underdogs in this competition, their score of 103.48 is a personal best and well ahead of both Italy and Japan.
Olympic gold medal pair Virtue and Moir of Canada take on a classical program as they seek to prove the claim that they are still the best ice dancing pair in the world. Although a twizzle error in the short dance caused them to lose to Davis and White of the United States, their twizzles in the free dance went off without a hitch. A near flawless performance proved that the pair has come to this Olympics to defend their gold and that Canada will not give up its fight for the podium, even after Russia has claimed the top spot. They take the top spot with 107.56.
Davis and White of the United States skate to Shaharazod. Peanut Gallery, "She looks like Princess Jasmine!" Like in the short program, the pair demonstrates how well they work together with amazing lifts and impressive synchronization in their skating elements. They seem to float over the ice and move around the rink with great speed while maintaining their effortless style. Davis and White set a record with a score of 114.34, putting the United States in the first place in the ice dance.
Overall, Russia has claimed the first-ever gold medal in Team Figure Skating, with Canada taking the silver and the United States claiming the bronze.
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