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USA Pairs Figure Skating Aims for Elusive Gold
15 Feb
Summary
- The U.S. has never won Olympic pairs figure skating gold.
- Kam and O'Shea earned a personal-best score in the free skate.
- Japan's Miura and Kihara are the gold-medal favorites.
The Olympic figure skating competition continues with the highly anticipated pairs event, where the United States seeks its first-ever gold medal. Team USA's Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, who contributed to the team gold with a personal-best score in the free skate, are among the contenders. This marks a significant opportunity for the U.S., as the nation has not medaled in pairs skating since 1988.
Adding to the intrigue, American newcomers Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe will also make their Olympic debut. The pairs discipline, known for its technical demands and artistic interpretation, often sparks debate, especially following recent judging controversies. The International Judging System aims for transparency but the subjective nature of interpretation remains a focal point for fans.
Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, the reigning world champions, enter the competition as the frontrunners. Kam and O'Shea showed strong form in the team event, finishing fifth and fourth in their respective segments. The path to gold for the U.S. is challenging, with a history of near-misses in this specific discipline.
