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GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 16:  Nathan Chen of the United States competes during the Men's Single Skating Short Program at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 16, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 16: Nathan Chen of the United States competes during the Men's Single Skating Short Program at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 16, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)Harry How/Getty Images

Olympic Figure Skating Schedule 2018: Men's Free Skate USA TV, Live-Stream Info

Rob Blanchette
Feb 16, 2018

The gold medal will be decided in the men's single figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics on Friday night, but United States champion Nathan Chen appears to be out of the running as the free skate commences.

The 18-year-old from Salt Lake Cityย suffered a disastrous run during his short program, failing on every jump he attempted to make at theย Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Reigning Olympic championย Yuzuru Hanyu set the highestย mark, but Spanish starย Javier Fernandez and Japanese compatriotย Shoma Uno remain in close contention.

Hanyu scoredย 111.68, and his form has acceleratedย just at the right time as Chen's has evaporated.

Here is how you can watch the conclusion of the event, with the program starting in the early hours of Saturday morning in the UK and Europe:

Date: Friday, Feb. 16

Time:ย 8ย p.m. ET/ย 1 a.m. GMT (Saturday)/10 a.m. local time

TV:ย NBC Universal (U.S.), BBC and Eurosport (UK)

Stream:ย NBC Olympics,ย BBC iPlayer

Preview

Americanย figureย skating fans will have been left distraught by Chen's performance, and they will be hoping for better from the teenager as the competition concludes.

Chen is languishingย in 17th, and the world-class field above him skated with consistency to establish themselves.

Hanyu produced an extraordinary display as he came close to breaking the world record, and the Japanese took one step towards achievingย his ultimate dream once more.

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 16: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan and his coach Brian Orser following the Figure Skating Men Short Program on day seven of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 16, 2018 in Gangneung, South

According toย Sky News, the leader's mark did break the current Olympic record, and his passionate fans showered the ice withย Winnie the Pooh bears at the end of his routine. The ritual has become commonplace whenย Hanyu performs due to his fascination with the famous children's character.

Uno was hotly tipped to challenge for the gold, but it wasย Fernandez who mustered all of his experience to remain closest to the top of the leaderboard.

Fernandez is a two-time world champion, and he is placed to capitaliseย ifย Hanyu throws away his lead away.

Writerย Gavia Baker-Whitelaw gave the Spaniard a glowing endorsementย after his routine:

Adam Rippon produced a strong display to place seventh with a score ofย 87.95, giving the U.S. a slight chance of achievingย a medal in the event.

Rippon was America's best skater in the short program, but he will need those above him to seriously falter in order for him to produce a shock.

The 28-year-old grabbed a bronze for the U.S. in the team event, and he could cap a strong Games with a spectacular run on Friday night.

Chen will be searching for redemption after his total collapse, butย Rippon could produce the joy that American figure skating fans will be craving atย Pyeongchang 2018.