Nathan Chen, US Lead Team Figure Skating at Beijing Olympics
By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer
BEIJING (AP) — It was supposed to be a foregone conclusion that Russia's powerful stable of figure skaters, including world champions in three of the four disciplines, would run away with the team gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Nathan Chen and the rest of the Americans must have taken exception.
The three-time world champ's winning short program set the tone for Team USA on Friday, and everyone else followed suit. Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue won the rhythm dance with a season-best score, and Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier Las Vegas Raiders Jerseys capped the first of three days of team competition with a personal-best short program.
That left the Americans with 28 points, two ahead of the Russians and se...