SOCHI, Russia — Adelina Sotnikova gave Russia its first Olympic gold medal in women’s figure skating with a stunning upset of defending champion Yuna Kim of South Korea on Thursday at the Sochi Games.
Sotnikova was considered the host nation’s No. 2 skater behind Julia Lipnitskaia, but she soared when her teammate struggled.
Kim got silver, followed by Carolina Kostner of Italy for bronze.
Kim was trying to be the first repeat winner of the women’s gold since Katarina Witt in 1988.
Lipnitskaia was fifth.
American Gracie Gold finished fourth, Ashley Wagner seventh and Polina Edmunds ninth.