Sochi day 13: Aussies Sheehan, Han battle
Australia’s Amy Sheehan, considered an outside chance for a medal in the women’s ski halfpipe, has finished in 10th place.
After crashing in her first run and managing just 15.00 to sit in ninth spot, she recovered somewhat on her second but still failed to land one of her manoeuvres and had to be content with a 40.60.
Sheehan, whose brother competes for New Zealand, snuck into the final with a 70.60, but her compatriot Davina Williams was not so fortunate, although the 28-year-old showed plenty of courage in competing after a heavy fall in training. Williams was 15th, failing to progress to the final.
Meanwhile, Aussie Brooklee Han put in a strong performance in the free program of the women’s figure skating to finish in 20th spot.
Entering the free section in 22nd place after scoring 49.32 in her short program a day earlier, Han skated second on Thursday and fell early on her triple lutz.
But the 18-year-old recovered well and went on to score 94.52 for a total score of 143.84.
“Ever since I was a little girl I have worked hard on regaining my composure,” Han said. “I never wanted to be that girl that gave up – I wanted to be a fighter.
“I felt pretty confident going out onto the ice.
“I felt pretty good going into the loop, it’s been very good in the program lately so I did that and then the lutzes have been going pretty well so I’m disappointed with the fall on that.
“The first salchow was a little off but then the rest of it was pretty good.”
Both Australia’s hopes in the men’s ski cross were knocked out in the 1/8 finals.
Scott Kneller crashed out in heat two to finish 23rd overall, while Anton Grimus followed suit in heat three and came 25th.
See below for a full wrap of all day 13’s medallists.
Russian Adelina Sotnikova won gold in the women’s figure skating, edging defending champion Kim Yuna of South Korea, who took silver, while Italian Carolina Kostner won bronze.
Adelina Sotnikova on her way to gold. Photo: AFP
France enjoyed a trifecta in the men’s ski cross, with Jean Frederic Chapuis beating teammates Arnaud Bovolenta and Jonathan Midol to gold.
Jean Frederic Chapuis out in front in the ski cross final. Photo: Getty
American Maddie Bowman took gold in the women’s ski halfpipe, beating Frenchwoman Marie Martinod and Japan’s Ayana Onozuka.
American Maddie Bowman flies high. Photo: AFP
In women’s curling, Canada beat Sweden 6-3 to take the gold medal. Great Britan defeated Switzerland to claim bronze.
Canada’s Jennifer Jones. Photo: AFP
Norway took out the Nordic combined men’s Team Gundersen LH/4x5km event, defeating Germany and Austria.
Joergen Graabak leads Norway home in the men’s team Gundersen. Photo: AFP
And Canada defeated the USA in dramatic circumstances 3-2 in overtime to claim the women’s ice hockey gold. Trailing 2-0 with less than four minutes remaining, the Canadians scored twice late on to level before Marie-Philip Poulin scored the winner to seal the gold. Switzerland won bronze with a 4-3 triumph over Sweden.
Canada celebrate gold. Photo: Getty