Winter Olympics 2022 - Kamila Valieva the first woman to land a quadruple jump as ROC win team event figure skating gold

ByBen Southby

Updated 07/02/2022 at 09:15 GMT

15-year-old Kamila Valieva confirmed gold for the Russian Olympic Committee in the figure skating team event, finishing nine points clear. In her programme she became the first woman to land a quadruple jump at an Olympic Games. Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov shone in the ice dancing free, whilst Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov won the pairs free skate.

The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) claimed gold in the figure skating team event after Kamila Valieva's almost-flawless performance confirmed top spot.

The 15-year-old dazzled viewers in the women's free skate and despite falling after an attempted quad toe loop, produced a world class score of 178.92, over 30 points clear of second place Kaori Sakamoto.

Valieva became the first woman to land a quadruple jump at an Olympics; a day after becoming the first European woman to land a triple axel at a Games in the short programme.

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United States finished in second place, nine points behind ROC and happily settling for silver. Japan managed a podium position and earned bronze for their efforts, edging out Canada who missed out for the first time.

ROC were in pole position to take gold after back-to-back high scores in the pairs free skate and ice dancing free.

Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov - who are unbeaten in competition - played it safe with their ice dancing free programme but crucially scored big with 128.17, taking a big step towards gold and despite dropping a point, held onto their lead in standings.

USA stunned viewers by bettering ROC’s effort, edging their gold medal rivals with a score of 129.07 following a mesmerising programme, but remained in second place six points behind the leaders. Madison Chock and Evan Bate - who have been together for over a decade - impressed with their timing in a beautifully constructed routine.

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Earlier, ROC extended their lead to seven points at the top of the standings after the pairs free skate. Despite falling at the death of their routine, Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov’s performance prior to the incident was enough to see them top the session and earn their country ten points, strengthening their argument for a gold medal.

Japanese duo Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara impressed with a career-best mark of 139.60. Miura showed real strength throughout the routine, especially when she held on to an aggressive throw loop that looked touch-and-go for a moment.

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Alexa Knierim and Frazier Brandon had a disappointing morning on the ice despite an impressive start with an almost-perfect triple twist. The Californian pair only managed to produce a performance worth 128.97 and earn the US six points towards their gold medal push.

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