Olympics

How Sotnikova Beat Kim, Move by Move

FEB. 20, 2014

The scores for Adelina Sotnikova and Kim Yu-na were close for most of their long program elements. But Sotnikova took a significant lead in a few areas. Adam Leib, a coach and national technical specialist for U.S. Figure Skating, analyzes the performances.

Double-Triple Combination

Sotnikova’s combination had a much higher base value because she chose to do the most difficult double jump, the double axel. She received high marks for her good flow, height and distance. She added a 10 percent bonus by executing the combination in the second half of the program.

Triple toe

Double axel

Composite Image by The New York Times

The double jump Kim chose is one of the easiest, so it has a low base value. The entry was simple, and the jump ended with little speed.

Triple

salchow

Double toe

Composite Image by The New York Times

Where Sotnikova Scored Higher

Element	Sotnikova’s Points	Kim’s Points	Difference
Double-triple combination	9.94	6.50	+3.44
Footwork	5.60	4.44	+1.16
Layback spin	3.77	3.04	+0.73
Three-jump combination	8.34	7.83	+0.51
Change-foot combination spin	4.71	4.21	+0.50
Triple salchow	5.82	5.52	+0.30
Triple flip	6.80	6.50	+0.30
Double axel	4.70	4.42	+0.28
Flying combination spin	4.56	4.43	+0.13

Where Kim Scored Higher

Element	Sotnikova’s Points	Kim’s Points	Difference
Additional triple	6.70	7.60	+0.90
Triple lutz-triple toe	11.10	11.70	+0.60
Skating skill and artistry	74.41	74.50	+0.09

Footwork and Layback Spin

On two elements, the footwork and the layback spin, Sotnikova had a difficulty level of 4, while Kim had a level 3. This meant that Kim had nearly a point deficit in the base value for the two elements combined. In her layback spin, Sotnikova changed positions with ease while maintaining speed and intensity, and the judges rewarded her with higher marks. She received nearly two points more than Kim did for the two elements.

Composite Images by The New York Times Positions from Sotnikova (left) and Kim’s layback spins.