America's Vincent Zhou Makes History by Landing a Quadruple Lutz at the Olympics
First-time American Olympian Vincent Zhou became the first figure skater to land a quad lutz in any Olympic Games when he nailed the jump at the opening of his short program.
The 17-year-old was one of three skaters set to try the quad lutz in their short program, according to the Associated Press. It is considered one of the most difficult jumps that skaters currently perform at the Olympics.
He is the youngest member of Team USA in PyeongChang, and is off to a successful start in his debut Olympic competition. His score of 84.53 will likely put him in the top group ahead of the free skate competition up next.
Zhou’s teammates, Nathan Chen and Adam Rippon, who have also earned lots of attention during their time in PyeongChang, are skating later in the program. But after Zhou’s impressive jump, the Internet was all his. Many Twitter users congratulated him and shared their feelings in the classic form of memes and Meryl Streep gifs.
HISTORY.
Vincent Zhou, the youngest member of Team USA, lands the first quad Lutz at the #WinterOlympics. https://t.co/cyopV7k12F pic.twitter.com/EUx1R66te1— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 16, 2018
17-YEAR-OLD VINCENT ZHOU LANDED THE FIRST QUAD LUTZ AT THE OLYMPICS AND SCORED A PERSONAL BEST ????????????????????????
— yash???? (@eggrater) February 16, 2018
Apologies to all my neighbors who heard the dolphin noise I just made when Vincent Zhou landed the quad lutz
— Kavitha A. Davidson (@kavithadavidson) February 16, 2018
History! 17-year-old Vincent Zhou lands the FIRST quad Lutz in Olympic history #pyeongChang2018
— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) February 16, 2018
That was pretty fantastic by Vincent Zhou. First time Olympian.
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) February 16, 2018
Go @govincentzhou! His highest score of the season! #winterolympics #pyeongchang2018 pic.twitter.com/dw4Wnodjj6
— Hetty Chang (@HettyNBCLA) February 16, 2018
Vincent Zhou was giving us all the feels before he even moved a skate, let alone before he landed that quad #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/7oSOUoUdwD
— Yasmin Tuazon (@yasminsterAbbey) February 16, 2018
So proud of @govincentzhou! Amazing short program tonight! ??????????
— jacqui ? (@jacquik1ng) February 16, 2018
Damn, Vincent Zhou, perfection at 17 years old. pic.twitter.com/IoctAijbJc
— realNewYorkValues (@MisterAuntFancy) February 16, 2018