Adelina Sotnikova Poised for Figure Skating Superstardom After Gold Medal
In a ladies’ figure skating field that was loaded with superstars, a Russian took home the gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics in front of her home fans.
Only, it wasn’t the Russian everyone expected it to be before the event.
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Adelina Sotnikova, and not Julia Lipnitskaia, thrilled the crowd with the performance of a lifetime, accomplishing the dreams of every Olympian in the course of a magical five minutes on the ice.
Joe Fleming of USA Today shared Sotnikova’s overjoyed reaction:
Sotnikova knocked off defending gold medalist Yuna Kim of South Korea, who led after the short program and was widely considered the favorite heading into the free skate. Carolina Kostner of Italy captured the bronze.
The top 10 were as follows:
| Place | Name | Country | Score |
| 1 | Adelina Sotnikova | Russia | 224.59 |
| 2 | Yuna Kim | South Korea | 219.11 |
| 3 | Carolina Kostner | Italy | 216.73 |
| 4 | Gracie Gold | United States | 205.53 |
| 5 | Julia Lipnitskaia | Russia | 200.57 |
| 6 | Mao Asada | Japan | 198.22 |
| 7 | Ashley Wagner | United States | 193.2 |
| 8 | Akiko Suzuki | Japan | 186.32 |
| 9 | Polina Edmunds | United States | 183.25 |
| 10 | Mae Berenice Meite | France | 174.53 |
The fact that Gracie Gold or Lipnitskaia failed to medal is a testament to how deep the field was and underscores the overall impressiveness of Sotnikova’s performance, which was truly carried by her jumping ability.
In fact, the competition wasn't even really that close when the scores were tallied, with Sotnikova winning by more than five points.
She discussed just how far she has come (via the Associated Press reporters; comments passed along by ESPN.com):
"I first dreamed to be at the Olympics after the nationals in 2010. And when I watched the Games in Vancouver, I really wanted to qualify for the next Games. I knew it won't be easy. There are so many new talented girls around.
"
Sotnikova capped off an eventful two weeks of figure skating in Sochi that included brilliant displays from Lipnitskaia in the team competition, Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White in the ice dancing and Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu in the men’s individual event.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Sotnikova is the fact that she is only 17 years old.
Yes, figure skating tends to skew younger than many other sports, but she already has an Olympic gold medal around her neck and still has the prime of her career in front of her.
Sotnikova isn’t a stranger to success either. She has three Russian national championships to her resume, as well as two silver medals during the 2013 Grand Prix season and a silver medal at the most recent European Championships. Lipnitskaia won the gold then, but Sotnikova beat the 15-year-old out in the Russian National Championships.
Sotnikova’s ability to soar through the air on her jumps and execute the technical components of her program with flawless footwork has her poised to compete at the sport’s largest stages for years to come. She now has the confidence that only an Olympic championship can bring to match her talent.
The argument can be made that Sotnikova is now the face of ladies’ figure skating because the sport takes the limelight every four years. Until (or if) someone takes it away from her in 2018, she is the reigning Olympic champion.
Looking ahead, the future of the sport is bright with Gold, Lipnitskaia and the majority of the loaded field in Sochi still skating strong.
There is arguably more star power in women's figure skating now than any of the other individual sports in the Olympics, which should make for a thrilling 2018 competition as well.
You can now officially add Sotnikova’s name to that list of superstars.
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