MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russian figure skaters Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Elena Radionova took first and second place, respectively, for their short program performances at the first stage of the 'Skate America' Grand Prix Final, which is taking place in Chicago.
"Today I am very happy that I was able to cope with my nervousness and I was happy that I could show a good performance," Elizaveta Tuktamysheva said, as cited by ABC News.
Tuktamysheva, the 17-year-old champion of Russia’s 2012/13 figure skating season, impressed judges and spectators with her technically flawless short program performance, receiving 67.41 points. The other Russian figure skater, Elene Radionova, who has won the junior world championship twice, made a small mistake by a cascade of a triple lutz and triple toe, but otherwise performed excellently and scored 65.57 points.
Third place went to US athlete Gracie Gold, who missed a combination spin and got 60.81 points.
Tuktamysheva topped the ladies’ singles competition after Russian figure skaters Yuka Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov ranked first in the pair skating short program. The free skating contests will take place on Sunday.
