Stop Reading Here If You Don't Already Know Who Snagged the Gold!

I didn't get to watch the men's free skate live so I went online immediately this morning to find out who won. I was thrilled to see the results - Team USA snags another Gold with Evan Lysacek's performance.

Good for Evan for taking the "high road" and not doing a quad. Leave that to Plushy! Eight triples though is nothing to sneeze at. He played his cards perfectly, from all accounts. I can't wait to see his skate later today.

On another skating note, I am picking up my Klingbeils from the cobbler today. I'm excited to see them looking brand new again, as they have been re-dyed. Also decided to keep my SP-Teri boots as a back-up pair, so will get them from Coach today.

Here is the one of the media summaries of our Gold medalist's performance. Go Evan!

Feb 18, 2010

Vancouver (AFP) - Reigning world champion Evan Lysacek gave the United States their first Olympic men's figure skating title in 22 years with a risk-free performance on Thursday.

Defending champion Yevgeny Plushenko of Russia had to settle for silver with Daisuke Takahashi giving Japan their first ever Olympic men's podium finish taking bronze after the free skate final.

Lysacek, 24, finished just 1.31 points ahead of three-time world champion Plushenko whose shaky landing on several jumps ended his gold-medal challenge.

"That's my best free programme this season," said Lysacek. "I've been waiting for a clean free skate all season."

"I tried not to get too excited after each jump. I wanted to pump my fist every time."

Lysacek becomes the first American to win the title since Brian Boitano at the 1988 Calgary Games, and breaks an 18-year Russian domination in the event.

Takahashi finished over ten points behind the winner after falling on his opening quadruple jump.

Plushenko, 27, had led the short programme but with less than 0.60 points separating him from Lysacek and Takahashi it was a virtual tie going into the free skate final.

Lysacek threw down the challenge with a flawless performance to Sheherazade.

The 24-year-old did not include a quadruple jump, perferring eight triples including an opening triple-triple combination and two axels.

He scored 167.37 for the free skate and 257.67 overall.