Evan Lysacek Takes Figure Skating Gold

American edges out Plushenko in stunning upset
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 18, 2010 11:40 PM CST
Updated Feb 19, 2010 6:05 AM CST
Evan Lysacek Takes Figure Skating Gold
USA's Evan Lysacek performs his free program during the men's figure skating competition at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.   (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Evan Lysacek has upset defending champion Evgeni Plushenko to become the first American to take the men's figure skating gold since Brain Boitano in 1988. The Russian had a slight advantage after the short program but dropped to silver thanks to some sloppy landings and a weak jump, the AP reports. Japan's Daisuke Takahashi took the bronze.

Lysacek took 167.37 points from a flawless skate, focusing on triples instead of quads and combinations. "That's what I was looking for, a really strong skate," Lysacek said after one of the most stunning upsets of Vancouver 2010. "Possibly my best ever. I love this ice. I love this crowd. I had a really great time." (More Evan Lysacek stories.)

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