It’s not completely fair to say that the United States’ figure skating contingent was a disappointment in Pyeongchang. The competition was stiff, they weren’t the only skaters to make seemingly avoidable mistakes, and America’s representatives are coming home with multiple bronze medals thanks to the team event and the ShibSibs.
But no individual American skater making the podium was a blessing in disguise, and not just because it allowed us to appreciate them in ways other than the hardware they brought home. It forced much of the spotlight (especially NBC’s) onto skaters that might not have otherwise been covered or appreciated.
The two Russians that earned gold and silver medals were probably always going to be focused on within an inch of their lives, but what about Nicole Schott, who came in eighteenth? Or Kaetlyn Osmond, the Canadian standout who won bronze and slotted right into the space in Americans’ hearts where Bradie Tennell, Mirai Nagasu and Karen Chen used to have an exclusive lease.
In no particular order, here are the performances I loved watching the most during a fortnight of figure skating.
Yuzuru Hanyu, Japan — Free Skate
Yuzuru Hanyu earns gold!
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2018
He defends his title in men's figure skating one month after returning from injury. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/fmMl0C4Amf pic.twitter.com/8bZglSdgaR
It’s hard to perform better than this. Plus, I was always rooting for him to nail his performance so a waterfall of plush Winnie the Poohs (Winnies the Pooh?) would land on the ice again. Luckily, he delivered. A bonus? His stylish jacket.
Bruno Massot and Aliona Savchenko, Germany — Pairs Free Skate
Even if Bruno Massot and Aliona Savchenko hadn’t gone through what they did before winning gold — over a decade of trying for Savchenko, barely becoming a German citizen in time to compete at the Olympics for Massot, a possibly dream-killing mistake in the short program — this routine would have been magical anyway. It’s beautiful, flawlessly executed and watching them collapse in joy and relief when they’re done has not gotten old yet. If I’m guessing, it won’t anytime soon.
Alina Zagitova, Russia - Free Skate
Has the apprentice become the master?
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 23, 2018
Alina Zagitova was absolutely flawless in her free skate to take the lead! #WinterOlympics https://t.co/u8KIboJbbw pic.twitter.com/8jHKgxrQjm
Sometimes, perfection can be a little boring to watch. But sometimes, like with Zagitova’s nearly-flawless free skate to win gold, it can be astonishing. Those gloves, too!
Nathan Chen, United States — Free Skate
"Nathan Chen is still the quad king!"
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2018
This is history. @nathanwchen with SIX quads in his men's free skate program. #WinterOlympics #BestOfUS https://t.co/Ldd0aubwzt pic.twitter.com/LrM7LDjArn
I don’t care that he didn’t medal or that he made way too many mistakes, he landed six quads in his free skate. SIX QUADS. IN ONE PROGRAM. Can’t wait until 2022.
Yvgenia Medvedeva, Russia - Short Program
Yevgenia Medvedeva is simply STUNNING. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/fmMl0C4Amf pic.twitter.com/2dQt0krjIG
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 11, 2018
Zagitova may have won gold, but Medvedeva (who hadn’t lost in any competition in two years before these Olympics) won our hearts with this performance. Or at least scared us into giving her our hearts. Her stunning short program was about the moment of clinical death so I’m not about to tell her she didn’t make this list.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Canada — Free Skate
Guys pic.twitter.com/L5xWEYyvBE
— Richard Lee-Sam (@RLeesam) February 20, 2018
I have one word for you: “CUNNILIFTUS.”
Mae Berence Meite, France — Short Program
Sound ⬆️ because France's Mae Berenice Maite just skated her short program to @Beyonce! #WinterOlympics https://t.co/HZJCWvFQHx pic.twitter.com/rb9Kt2y0l3
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 21, 2018
Beyonce always makes the list. Doesn’t matter what the list is about. ALWAYS. Bonus points for the jumpsuit.
Adam Rippon, United States — Free Skate
ADAM RIPPON. Because he slays. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/fmMl0C4Amf pic.twitter.com/fkG1KgiTb0
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018
I’ve never cried so hard at Coldplay, and probably won’t ever again. Unless I’m rewatching this performance, that is. Who needs quad jumps anyway?
Paul Fentz, Germany — Short Program
Anyway, here's Wonderwall.
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 16, 2018
If you're wondering why this Oasis classic is trending, Germany's Paul Fentz skated to a big band version of Wonderwall. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/fmMl0C4Amf pic.twitter.com/OHZpLdS1Da
There wasn’t a chance of me leaving the guy who skated to a Paul Anka cover of “Wonderwall” (twice) off this list. He followed that up with the Game of Thrones score for his free skate, which is also awesome.
Ivett Toth, Hungary — Free Skate
That’s Ivett Toth. She’s from Hungary. She’s skating to an @acdc medley. And she’s wearing an outfit with a picture of Angus on the back. So there’s a new leader in the clubhouse in the “things I never thought I’d see” contest. pic.twitter.com/fgRIdv9RKG
— Mike Gastineau (@gasman206) February 21, 2018
I originally said this list was in no particular order, but that was a lie. Toth was the best because she:
- Skated to an AC/DC medley.
- Wore studded leather while doing it.
- Was so nontraditional that Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir momentarily sounded like they were reconsidering the entire sport’s legitimacy.
What a freakin’ hero.