http://youtu.be/jqBdgyMmY8g
It has been an exciting 2014 Winter Olympics for ice skaters Meryl Davis and Charlie White. On February 17, 2014, the pair scored a new personal best with a 116.63 to bring home the first gold medal of these Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. On February 16, 2014, the pair won the short dance to give them the lead going into Monday’s event. They led Team USA to a bronze medal on February 11, 2014, with a score of 114.24. Team USA consisted of Jeremy Abbott, Jason Brown, Marissa Castelli, Gracie Gold, Simon Shnapir, and Ashley Wagner.
Shortly after winning the gold on Monday, Meryl said,[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]Excellent is a word to describe it. I felt like I was in a dream. Everything is coming together.[/quote]
Meanwhile, Charlie said, [quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]We were just in our zone, so we could go out and skate like that. It felt awesome. When we were going out, we said, ‘Let’s do it for each other’. We love skating. We’re not thinking. We’re letting it flow.”[/quote]
The pair told the story of a Persian king and the lady who took care of him while dancing a flawless routine to the music of Sheherazade. They received level 4 for all elements, and straight tens across the board for composition/choreography, interpretation, and timing. Marina Zoueva, Oleg Epstein, and Johnny John coach the pair. The routine is choreographed by Marina Zoueva and Derek Hough.
The pair has been skating together since 1997, and handedly defeated the second place team of Tessa Virtue and Scott Mair for Team Canada. The two teams are friendly rivals who train together in Detroit at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena. Finishing in third place in Monday’s event were Elera Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov for Russia.
Winning is nothing new for Davis and White. Among their many credits are:
- 2013 World Champions
- 2011 World Champions
- 2010 Olympic silver medalist
- 2009-2014 U.S. Champions
- 2009-2013 Grand Prix Final Champions
While receiving flowers and congratulations following their routine, the medals will not be presented until tomorrow.