Alina Zagitova Wins Figure Skating Gold Medal at 2018 Winter Olympics
Following a night of intense, impressive, and inspiring free skate programs, 15-year-old Russian athlete Alina Zagitova became the second youngest woman to win the gold medal in the ladies' individual figure skating competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Though she finished the short program in first place, Alina still had a fight ahead of her and she only narrowly beat fellow Russian skater, 18-year-old Yevgenia Medvedeva who took the silver medal. Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond won the bronze medal.
After completing the short program in 9th, 10th, and 11th places, respectively, American skaters Mirai Nagasu, Bradie Tennell, and Karen Chen all walked away with only their bronze medals from the team competition. After becoming the first American woman to land a triple axel in the Olympics, Mirai (who described her short program as "an L for today") finished in 10th place, while first-time Olympian Bradie placed 9th and Karen finished 11th.
Though Alina is only 15, American skater — and now NBS commentator — Tara Lipinski remains the youngest woman to ever have won the gold medal in the individual ladies' figure skating competition in 1998 when she was only a few months younger than Alina is now. Still, Alina was the first Russian athlete to win gold at the 2018 Games, at which the country has no official presence.
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