Olympic Medal For Arcadia Skater Mirai Nagasu

ARCADIA, CA — Team USA was off to a rocky start when Mirai Nagasu took to the ice. Bronze was on the line and she was a daunting jump away from doing her part to make it happen. After a stunning performance, the Arcadia resident was instrumental in bringing home the Olympic bronze medal as part of the U.S team in the figure skating team event that concluded Monday in Gangneung, South Korea.

Nagasu was second in the ladies free skate after becoming the first American woman to land a triple Axel at the Olympic Games.

"Four years ago when I was left off the (Olympic) team I wanted to make another Olympic team, and I knew I would really have to be something special," Nagasu said. "So to become the first American to land a triple Axel at the Olympic Games is historical, and no one can take that away from me."

Nagasu's skate increased the U.S. lead over Italy to four.
The U.S. entered Sunday's competition in third with 36 points, one more than fourth-place Italy. Canada led with 45 points. Olympic Athletes from Russia was second with 39.

Sunday's competition began with Adam Rippon, who trains at The Rinks Lakewood Ice in Lakewood, finishing third in the men's free skate, increasing the U.S. lead over Italy to two.

Following Nagasu's free skate, the U.S. brother-and-sister duo of Maia and Alex Shibutani finished second in the free dance.
The U.S. finished third with 62 points, six more than fourth-place Italy. Canada won with 73 points. Olympic Athletes from Russia was second with 66.

A first-place finish is worth 10 points, with each place further down worth one less.

The team event consists of men's and ladies singles, pairs and ice dancing. Teams are allowed to make two changes to their lineups from the short programs or dance to free skate or free dance. The ladies free skate was the only portion of the event Nagasu skated in.

Nagasu was fourth in ladies singles in the 2010 Winter Olympics. She was not among the three U.S. skaters chosen to compete in ladies singles in the 2014 Winter Olympics despite finishing third at the national championship.

The 24-year-old Nagasu is the first U.S. woman figure skater to return to the Olympics after missing an edition.

Nagasu was chosen for a spot on the Olympic team by a U.S. Figure Skating committee based on her performance in a series of events, including a second-place finish in last month's U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

City News Service, contribution from Ashley Ludwig, Patch Editor.

Photo: PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 12: Bronze medalists Adam Rippon (L) and Mirai Nagasu of Team United States celebrate during the victory ceremony after the Figure Skating Team Event at Medal Plaza on February 12, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images)