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Tag: figure skater

  • Gracie Gold Wins First U.S. Skating Championship

    On Saturday night, 18-year-old Gracie Gold won her first title in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

    Following in second place was 15-year-old Polina Edmunds and third was Mirai Nagasuf, a previous Olympian in 2010.

    Former two-time titleholder, Ashley Wagner, gave her titled away by falling twice during her performance, landing her in fourth place.  Ironically, in 2013 Gold was second to Wagner but has now improved immensely.

    Although Saturday wasn’t Gold’s best number, she was more than confident in taking the winning spot.

    “The nerves are something I’ve battled with and have let get in my head, but tonight I was strangely calm,” Gold told ESPN.

    Last year, Gold made one of the best decisions of her life. She moved to California from Illinois in September to start fresh training with a brand new coach.

    In a statement by Gold’s coach, Frank Carroll, he was happy to see his protégé overcome her slip-ups on the ice:

    “What made me happiest was to see her miss the [triple] flip a little bit. She didn’t go down, which she’s worked hard on. And then to go out and skate perfectly after that … I thought her performance was brilliant tonight, and I was so happy to see her overcome that little tiny flaw and not go bonkers.”

    Gold’s night ended very well with an outstanding score of 211.69 points.

    Now she has created her own winning headline: “Grace Gets Gold.”

    Decisions are still being considered by officials in regards to which three women will be heading to the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

    The officials plan to make their announcement Sunday. Looks like Gold will be in their top picks of potential candidates to bring back a gold for the U.S. Olympic team.

    Here is an interview with Gold about the skating trials that took place in Boston on Wednesday 8th:

    Image via Youtube

  • Brian Boitano: “Being Gay Is Just One Part Of Who I Am”

    After years of singing along to South Park’s “What Would Brian Boitano Do?”, we now have an answer – and it doesn’t include staying trapped in a closet, R. Kelly style.

    After Russia’s legalized banning of gay propaganda banning the Sochi Olympics right back seemed like the best move to many Americans. However, Obama eschewed this choice earlier this year in favor of what he felt might be a more resonant message to Russia – potentially having “gay and lesbian athletes bringing home the gold or silver or bronze.”

    Thus, in lieu of attending the Sochi Olympics’ opening ceremonies himself this year, the president opted to send a delegation in his stead comprising openly gay and lesbian athletic icons as ambassadors. Before Thursday, among the gay and lesbian representatives listed to be attending included former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Billy Jean King, and Caitlin Cahow.

    Now, Brian Boitano, who was also recently named to the delegation, came out on Thursday as the third openly gay athlete in the delegation.

    The news may not have been terribly surprising for everyone; however, Boitano has heretofore chosen to maintain his privacy and explained in his statement, “Being gay is just one part of who I am.” This much is definitely true. The retired American figure skater (who has earned the titles of 1988 Olympic champion, 1986 and 1988 World Champion, and 1985-1988 U.S. National Champion) has also written books, done a bit of acting, landed his own Food Network show, and serves the community.

    “First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance.” He went on to say, “As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations.”

    This Olympian is a jack of all trades and a master of at least one (obviously). What’s more, having the openness and willingness to publicly share his personal life for the sake of spreading a message of humanity and acceptance is pretty courageous, too.

    You go, Boitano!

    Image via Twitter