The U.S. can thank a few local skaters for helping to bring them to medal status in the team figure skating competition in Sochi.
Chicago-native Gracie Gold delivered a solid technical routine in her Olympic debut during Sunday’s free skate, scoring a personal best 129.38 and helping the U.S. clinch the bronze medal.
The 18-year-old star hit all of her jumps in a poised routine that made her look as if she was ready to shoulder all the medal hopes that America has heaped on her.
Michigan-based duo Meryl Davis and Charlie White easily won the final program of the team competition, the ice dance free skate, with a score of 114.34, their personal best. In second were their closest friends and rivals, Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Russians Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov finished third with 103.48.
Highland Park-native Jason Brown also made his Olympic debut Sunday. He was inserted as a replacement for fellow local competitor Jeremy Abbott, who stumbled in Friday's short program.
After a minor stumble in his routine, Brown finished fourth with a score of 153.67.
“I really wanted to do well for the team,” Brown said afterward.