We called it! Too bad this wasn’t at Vancouver! Nagasu was in
We called it! Too bad this wasn’t at Vancouver!
Nagasu was in first place after a nearly flawless short program at the World Figure Skating Championships on Friday. Kim, who has lost only one competition over the last two seasons and was downright majestic in winning gold in Vancouver, was in seventh place after three major errors in an uncharacteristically sloppy performance.
Coming off the ice, Kim told reporters that her left foot was “shaking.” But it was unclear if there was a medical issue, and coach Brian Orser couldn’t be reached for comment.
“The first triple combination was perfect, then I felt not sure on my left foot. It was shaking. It wasn’t feeling good and I don’t know why,” the South Korean star said.
Nagasu scored a season-best 70.40, putting her two points ahead of Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada of Japan — and more than 10 in front of Kim. Finland’s Laura Lepisto was third. The free skate is Saturday.
“I think they will be back on their game tomorrow,” the 16-year-old Nagasu said after seeing Kim and Asada skate. “I am sure they are tired after the Olympics, as I am, but I just have to concentrate on myself and do the best long program I can.”
Nagasu won the U.S. title in 2008, but then struggled with a growth spurt and ordinary teenage angst. She switched to coach Frank Carroll (he trained Michelle Kwan) last spring — she now trains alongside Olympic men’s champion Evan Lysacek — and the move has done wonders for her skill and confidence.
She was fourth at the Vancouver Games, and has made it clear she wants to be the one to watch in the lead-up to the 2014 Sochi Games. This was a good start.
Before skating, she spent a few minutes at the board talking to Carroll, holding both of his hands and concentrating on his words.
“She said she was scared. I said, ‘Well, you said to me you wanted to be the Olympic champion someday,’” Carroll said. “I said, ‘Future Olympic champions don’t get scared. They get tough.’”
Though her opening triple-triple combination was slightly underrotated, the rest of her short program was exemplary. Lysacek, not competing in Turin, was ecstatic with his training partner’s success, posting a message on Twitter that said, “Wow!!!! So happy for you!”
Nagasu has been working to get the triple-triple into her short, and credits Carroll for getting her there.
“I just listened to my coach,” she said. “He just has a positive aura about him.”
Carroll said he just reminded her that she wanted to put the triple-triple in at the Olympics and didn’t.
“So what are we here for? … Back up your words with action,” Carroll said.