Sotnikova: My Free Skate Was Better Than Kim's

SOCHI, February 21 (R-Sport) – Russia's Adelina Sotnikova said Friday that she was a worthy gold medalist in the Olympic women's figure skating after her win over Kim Yuna sparked a judging controversy.

Sotnikova, 17, a four-time Russian national champion, trailed Kim, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic gold medalist, after the short program in Sochi. She finished first after being awarded 149.95 points in the free skate despite stumbling after one jump.

Kim, from South Korea, finished five points behind after a skate without obvious mistakes. Her defeat prompted angry criticism of the international judging panel online from her fans, particularly in Korea.

Many commentators have noted, however, that Sotnikova's program involved more complex moves that earned her higher technical marks from the judges.

"I skated very well and my technical score is higher than Yuna's,” Sotnikova said. “My jumps were more complicated, especially in the second part of the cascade, rotations for the fourth level. That means I was better in technique. I skated very well.”

Sotnikova became the first Russian to win the women's competition and brought Russia its third figure skating gold of the Sochi Olympics, following the host nation's triumph in the inaugural team event and a pairs win for Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov.