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Figure Skating Pairs Competition Has Emotional Ending For Russia

By Patricia Didelot
Published on: 03:27 PST, Feb 13, 2014

Wednesday was a highly emotional day for Russia in the pairs figure skating competition, after Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov won the Olympic gold medal on home ice for the first time in 78 years.

Skating to Jesus Christ Superstar music, the talented Russians put their country back in the Olympic podium, after they failed to medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Russia has been a dominant force in figure skating for the past five decades and done so successfully, but after the embarrassing show in Canada, Volosozhar — who was born in the Ukraine — and Trankov wanted nothing more than to win the gold on their home turf. And they did.

Suited in matching yellow costumes — one can assume to represent Jesus and Mary Magdalene from the hit Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera — Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov continued to leave audiences in awe.

The roaring of the crowd watching the pairs figure skating at the arena was unmistakable as they wildly cheered the couple’s every spin, throw, and landing with national pride.

From the beginning of the figure skating competition at Sochi last week, Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov have captured the live and television viewers imaginations with their elegance, strength, and almost flawless performances.

They seem to be the perfect partners, at six-feet-two-inches he has an imposing frame contrasting with her slender figure almost a foot shorter in height, just one of the many things that have made them instant sensations.

Once again they showed their passion for figure skating during the finals which earned them a free skate score of 152.69 and 236.86 overall.

In contrast to the usually stoic, emotionless Russians most are used to seeing, Volosozhar and Trankov have become known for wearing their feelings on their sleeves, during and after their performances.

The world got a taste of the exquisite performance from the 2013 World Champions during the pairs figure skating in the team competition portion, a new event in the Olympics.

On Wednesday Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov received the gold medal, while Ksenia Stolbova and Fyodor Klimov claimed silver for Russia giving them the one/two.

Germany’s pairs figure skaters Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy won bronze after each skater fell during their free skate, the last performance of the night.

Following their performance Maxim Trankov said:

“Today was a big day for all of Russia. Two of our couples have skated very well and I think everyone in our big country is pleased.”

“It was the hardest job of our lives. We dealt with huge pressure today. We already have gold in the team event but this would be the realization of the goal and the dream of our lives.”

For her part Tatiana Volosozhar said, “To be honest, I was crying because I felt so many emotions. I’m still nervous and shaking but I’m also so happy.”

The return of Russia to its days of figure skating glory was witnessed by thousands who packed the stands at the Iceberg Skating Palace in Sochi, waving their flags and banners with pride.

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