Russia wins inaugural team figure skating gold at Sochi Olympics

Russia won its first gold medal of the Sochi Olympics on Sunday as veteran Evgeny Plushenko and 15-year-old Julia Lipnitskaia won their free program events to make the host nation uncatchable at the top of the standings, R-Sport reports. 

Three-time world champion Plushenko, who collects a second gold after winning the individual event in Turin eight years ago, defied his 31 years of age to skate to victory in the men’s free program and put Russia seven points ahead of Canada.

The Canadians needed to win the women's free skate to have any chance of catching the hosts, but US skater Gracie Gold scored higher than Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond at the start of the discipline, meaning Russia had gold in the bag before Lipnitskaia, skating last, even took to the ice.

As it was, the frighteningly talented teenager, mature beyond her years, pulled off yet another perfect routine after dazzling in Saturday's short program and win her segment. Gold was second and Italy's Valentina Marchei third.

Only the ice dance remained later Sunday. The standings saw Russia top with 67 points, Canada second on 56 and the US third on 50.