Teammates Could Win Olympic Medal for Ramona-Raised Skater

RAMONA, CA -- Chris Knierim, who was raised in Ramona, and his wife, Alexa Scimeca-Knierim, could win Olympic medals Sunday without taking the ice. The U.S. is in third entering the conclusion of the figure skating team event, thanks in part to a fourth-place finish by Knierim and Scimeca- Knierim in the field of five in the pairs free skate Saturday California time, the day's last portion of the event.

"It wasn't a brilliant skate by any means, but we are just so happy to be here," Scimeca-Knierim said. "We've already won by being able to step on the ice. This is great."

Knierim and Scimeca-Knierim missed the 2016-17 season due to Scimeca- Knierim suffering from a serious gastrointestinal condition that required three stomach surgeries.

A first-place finish is worth 10 points, with each place further down worth one less. The seven points gave the U.S. 36 points, one more than fourth- place Italy. Canada leads with 45 points. Olympic Athletes from Russia is second with 39.

"The U.S. has an awesome opportunity in this team event to take silver or bronze," NBC analyst Johnny Weir said during Saturday's broadcast. "I think Canada has set themselves in a different league, but the U.S. is fighting real hard."

The U.S. won the bronze medal in 2014, the first time the team event was held at the Winter Olympics.
The pairs skaters have completed competing in the team event. Sunday's competition (California time) in Gangneung, South Korea will begin at 5 p.m. with the men's free skate with Adam Rippon skating for the U.S.

The women's free skate will be next, set to start at 6:10 p.m. with Mirai Nagasu skating for the U.S. The team event will conclude with the free dance, with the brother-and-sister duo of Maia and Alex Shibutani skating for the U.S. It is set to start at 7:20 p.m.

The team event will be carried live by NBC.

Earlier Saturday, the Shibutanis were second in the short program for nine points and Bradie Tennell was fifth in the ladies short program for six points in her Olympic debut.

"It felt like I was doing another program on a practice session," said Tennell, who turned 20 Jan. 31. "You've done this program a million times, this is just a million and one.

"I get butterflies before the music starts, but then when the music starts I go on auto-pilot and lose myself. I couldn't have asked for a better first program at the Olympics."

--Photo: Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim of the United States react as they watch their scores posted following their performance in the team event pair skating in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)