With the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics just a handful of months away, there’s one standout figure skater who you won’t be seeing on the ice — Yulia Lipnitskaya.
The Russian figure skater has announced her retirement after a long battle with anorexia, her mother shared with TASS news (via Chicago Tribune).
Yulia has been in treatment for her eating disorder since earlier this summer.
During the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Yulia was became the youngest Winter Olympic gold medalist, and the youngest gold medalist in figure skating for 78 years after winning the medal in the team event.
Sending our thoughts to Yulia as she goes through her treatment.
Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner and Polina Edmunds have completed their competition season, grabbing top 10 spots during the 2014 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on Saturday night (March 29) in Saitama, Japan.
The three Team USA figure skaters maintained their three spots for next year’s competition, placing 5th, 7th, and 8th, respectively.
So, who took home the title for a third time? Japan’s Mao Asada!
“I was able to control myself and I have done what I had to do,” Mao shared with reporters afterward. “I was much more nervous than I was for the short program but the cheering from the fans was with me and made me relax.”
Mao also won the title in 2008 and 2010. Russia’s Yulia Lipnitskaya and Italy’s Carolina Kostner took home the silver and bronze.
Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner and Italy’s Carolina Kostner glide across the ice during the short program at the 2014 ISU World Figure Skating Championships held at Saitama Super Arena on Thursday afternoon (March 27) in Saitama, Japan.
Currently, Japan’s Mao Asada sits on top of the leaderboard with 78.66 points, followed by Carolina earning 77.24 and Russia’s Yulia Lipnitskaya, with 74.54.
Gracie, 18, is in 5th at the moment, with Ashley, 22, in 7th and Polina Edmunds in 12th.
Remember, the top two U.S. finishes must add up to 13 or less to keep the three spots at the world championships for next year.
“There is. . .a lot of pressure for the United States to keep the three spots we already have,” Ashley shared. “It’s one of those times where maybe I’m tired but I’m not going to be selfish. I’m thinking about everybody else who might be going to worlds next year.”
10+ pics inside… More Here! »
Queen of Figure Skating, Yuna Kim stuns the crowd silent up until the very end of her performance during the Figure Skating Ladies’ Short Program at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics held at Iceberg Skating Palace on Wednesday night (February 19) in Sochi, Russia.
The reigning Olympic gold medalist, who hasn’t competed in a major competition for two years, came back and claimed the top spot ahead of Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova and Carolina Kostner of Italy, who are 2nd and 3rd.
Russia’s upcoming superstar Yulia Lipnitskaya placed 5th after a fall during her triple flip.
Japan’s Mao Asada, who claimed silver at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, currently sits in 16th place after she fell on her opening jump, a triple axel.
15+ pics inside… More Here! »
