Winter Olympics 2018: Canada leads team figure skating

FAN Editor

Canada leads the Olympic team figure skating event heading into the final day, offsetting a record women’s short program by two-time world champion Evgenia Medvedeva by winning the ice dance short and pairs free skate. The Canadians used a flowing routine by Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford in the free skate to extend their lead over the Russians.

Medvedeva says after setting a world record in the short program of the team event that Russia’s doping troubles have made her stronger. Medvedeva is the two-time reigning world champion and favorite for gold in the women’s individual competition.

She was also picked to represent Russia in front of the International Olympic Committee in December before the IOC opted against a blanket ban on Russian athletes but required a reduced team to compete under the Olympic flag.

Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 2

Evgenia Medvedeva of Olympic Athlete from Russia competes in the Figure Skating Team Event – Ladies’ Short Program on day two of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 11, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea.

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Medvedeva says a foot injury as well as the uncertainty around the Russian team helped make her a better skater. She says the problems inspired her and the difficulties made her stronger.

Despite her success Sunday, she says she could have been better prepared mentally, adding, “I have to relax a little bit, maybe.”

Meanwhile, American Bradie Tennell set a season best in the women’s short program with her usual display of precision and calmness. Tennell’s score of 68.94 puts her in fifth place.

The newcomer to the top ranks of figure skating is a mere .01 points behind Japan’s Satoko Miyahara. Tennell says, “I’m super happy with the performance I put out there.” She says, “It’s what I’ve been training a long time for.”

Earlier, 2010 Olympic champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won the ice dance. That leaves Canada with 45 points to 39 for the Russians, who slipped further behind when Italy’s Valentina Marchei and Ondrej Hotarek were a surprising second in pairs. The Italians trail the United States by a single point, 36-35, heading into Monday’s free skates in the other three disciplines.

Americans Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim were fourth.

The Netherlands and Norway both led the medal count, with 4 medals apeice, according to CBSSports’ Medal Counter.

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