Winter Olympics 2014: Highlighting Top Performers from Team Competition

The first figure skating event of the 2014 Winter Olympics is in the books, with host Russia claiming gold after a dominating performance. Canada and the United States also made the podium in the silver and bronze positions, respectively.

However, while the inaugural team event debuted this year, figure skating is still a sport very much centered around individual brilliance and recognition. Indeed, most will remember a few seminal performances from the team competition, the talents of a few lifting the scores of their respective country. 

Moreover, as the first event, the team competition provides a final tune-up on the big stage for some of the favorites in individual events. If the past weekend is any indication, the favorites have only further cemented their statuses going into the next week.

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the most impressive performers from the first figure skating event of the Olympics.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White

Clive Mason/Getty Images

The American ice dance pair were not the only U.S. figure skaters to excel, but they had the largest role in carrying their country to the podium. Davis and White won both ice dancing competitions, accounting for 20 of the United States' 60 overall team points.

Davis and White were nearly flawless on both runs, scoring a 75.96 on Saturday to squeak past Canadian rivals Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Having skated together for 17 years, White noted that the must-win pressure did not affect either he or Davis, per Gregg Krupa of The Detroit News:

"

You know, I think what's great about us is that having been together for 17 years and having been through the sport and ups and downs, we sort of live by our own expectations, and coming into each event we just want to do our best.

And so, we don't let any sort of external factors, be it big or small, play into any sort of equation of what we're doing or what we're expecting or how we want to skate

"

If the first run was a clinical performance good enough to win first, the second run was awe-inspiring, as well as record-breaking:

By blowing away their competitors in the ice dance, particularly Virtue and Moir, Davis and White have established themselves as clear favorites in the pair free skate event. At the moment, the American pair is peaking and looks unstoppable at these Olympics.

Evgeni Plushenko

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

After numerous surgeries and questions about his viability in a young man's sport, 31-year-old Russian Evgeni Plushenko took tremendous satisfaction in silencing his doubters. His post-skate interview even caught the attention of athletes like Canadian hurdler Noelle Montcalm:

Plushenko's free skate performance demonstrated all the smarts and calculated decisions one would expect from a seasoned veteran. Plushenko's routine was notably lacking in significant risks, most notably attempting only one four-revolution jump.

Nevertheless, Plushenko was wise not to jeopardize the team's almost assured gold medal and now becomes the most decorated skater in modern Olympic history. According to Jere Longman of The New York Times, Plushenko's winning skate might be the signal for him to end his career on a high note:

"

Though he skated safely and cautiously Sunday, Plushenko can still land effortless quadruple jumps and feathery triple axels despite having screws in his back from surgery. He said he felt pain in his spine Sunday, though, which raises questions about whether he will compete this week in the individual men’s competition.

His body does everything but clink, as if he leaving a dinner party with all the silverware hidden in his overcoat. But he was upbeat Sunday night, saying, 'It feels great. I would like more medals.'

"

After roughly a dozen surgeries, it would be understandable if Plushenko wanted to revel in his final act, rather than push himself through another grueling individual event. Having affirmed his status as an Olympic legend, there is little left for the Russian star to prove.

Yulia Lipnitskaya

Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press

While Plushenko's career winds down, another Russian star is just getting started. 15-year-old phenom Yulia Lipnitskaya delivered a pair of breath-taking performances, winning first in both the short and long ladies programs.

Lipnitskaya set a new career best in the long program, with a 141.51 score that blew away second-place American Gracie Gold's 129.38 mark. Indeed, the routine was truly flawless:

Her win came on the heels of a similarly dominating short program result, which she won with a 72.90 score. Frighteningly, Lipnitskaya was not entirely satisfied with her performance, according to the Russian website RT.com:

"

For me, this skate was not the best. We will work on mistakes so that on the individual championship there are no flaws. It was annoying that I failed the last rotation. And, yes, I could strengthen jumps. In the individual tournament, I set the highest goals.

"

Lipnitskaya is not a clear favorite despite the pair of victories, as defending Olympic champion South Korea's Kim Yu-Na is back to defend her gold medal. Nonetheless, if the Russian teenager holds her form from the team competition, she will be extremely difficult to top.