Gracie Gold has spent the last few years training hard to climb to the top of the podium in ladies figure skating and this weekend, she just garnered more respect in her journey. Gold won both the short and free skating portions of the NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan to go on and secure the title at the international event. It also secures her a spot in the Grand Prix Final, which will take place next month in Barcelona and features only the very best skaters of the season.
Gold finished the free skate in Osaka with 191.16 points, ahead of Alena Leonova of Russia, who received 186.40 points. Satoko Miyahara of Japan was third with 179.02. Gold had only four triple jumps in her arsenal as she performed her Phantom of the Opera routine, but she scored really high marks for her step sequences and spins. That helped to pave the way for the U.S. figure skating champion to win her very first Grand Prix title.
"I'm very happy to win my first GP and senior international. But I know I can do better and improve on this performance. I'm excited to go to the GP Final in Barcelona. Although it's a bit of a mixed blessing because it will be an extremely difficult competition with the four Russians and Ashley and I," said Gold after her win.
It will definitely be a tough field to compete in. Aside from U.S. Team mate, Ashley Wagner, Gold is also up against Elena Radionova, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Anna Pogorilaya, plus Julia Lipnitskaia.
While it's obviously not an Olympic year, it is still extremely important for all of these ladies to skate well. The rebuilding process begins at the start of each four-year cycle and Gold has already said that she viewed the 2014 games as valuable experience on the way to being a serious contender in 2018. Check out the clip of Gold below and tell us your thoughts. Are you already a fan?
