Canadian figure skater Patrick Chan scored 89.71 on his short program at the Sochi Olympics, placing third as the team event competition got underway Feb. 6.
Chan, 23, is the current world champion.
He stumbled in his program, almost falling after one jump. Despite this, he skated well enough to give Team Canada a good start toward a medal, and his fellow Canadians are cheering him on.
Athletes Lounge cheering on @Pchiddy @CDNOlympicTeam pic.twitter.com/czEpBNr30U
— Shannon Szabados (@ShannonSzabados) February 6, 2014
Russia’s Evgeny Plyushchenko came in second. He delighted the home crowd with his performance, scoring 91.39.
Plyushchenko, 31, was named Russia’s sportsperson of the year in 2013. These are his fourth Olympics.
Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu, 19, placed first in the event with a score of 97.98.
Hanyu is coached by Canadian Brian Orser. Orser, who lives in Toronto, won two silvers in men’s figure skating in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics.
These Olympics mark the first year of the figure skating team event.
Ten nations are competing for points in each of eight skating events including men’s singles, ladies’ singles, pairs and ice dancing, each with short and free programs.
Ten points is the maximum number a country can get in a single event, for a perfect 80 throughout the competition.
With Hanyu’s win in the men’s short program, Japan sits at the top of the team event with 10 points.
Plyushchenko’s second place finish gives Russia second place with nine points, while Chan’s finish puts Canada in third place at with eight points.
