US skater Nagasu moves team captain to tears with team final performance

PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Figure skater Mirai Nagasu of the United States held it together in the team final at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Monday, and her passionate performance has moved US team captain Alexa Scimeca Knierim to tears.

"That program is one I will remember forever," Knierim said of Nagasu's skate, which helped the US take bronze behind gold medalists Canada and silver medalists of Olympic athletes from Russia.

"I was sobbing when she finished, I was so proud of her."

Pairs skater Knierim, who trains with Nagasu in Colorado Springs, the United States, said she has long believed in Nagasu's potential to skate as convincingly as she did on Monday.

"I see her train so hard every day and I see her run clean programs like it's nothing," Knierim said. "It's so easy for her to skate clean at home, and it was so special to have that moment on Olympic ice."

"When Mirai was skating around waiting for her name to be called, she had the look that we all know -- she means business."

Nagasu's performance in the team final also moved the rest of the US skaters, Knierim added.

"Rooting for your teammates, a part of you is out there with them, and you want nothing but the best for them."

Nagasu will compete in the ladies' singles short program on February 21. Enditem