Amid some controversy, Ashley Wagner found her way onto the U.S. Olympic figure skating team, and the 22-year-old will lead Team USA in the first team figure skating competition of the Sochi Games.
Wagner, who beat out Mirai Nagasu for the final spot on the U.S. squad, will perform the short program Saturday night, and 2014 national champion Gracie Gold will skate the long program Sunday night, according to USA Today. The two events are key if Team USA intends to medal in the team figure skating competition.
Wagner will be looking to recover from a shaky short program and a long program that included two falls at the 2014 national championships in Boston.
For the first time, the Olympics feature team figure skating, including men’s, women’s, pairs and ice dancers competing in both short and long programs.
Four-time national champion Jeremy Abbott will skate the men’s short program, with 2014 national silver medalist Jason Brown skating the long program Sunday night, when the medals will be awarded.
Two-time national champion pairs skaters Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir will skate both the short and long programs, as will 2010 Olympic silver medalists and six-time national champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White in the ice dance.
Click here to see photos of Ashley Wagner >>
Photo via Facebook/Ashley Wagner
