A Springfield-trained figure skater is kicking off her gold medal hopes Sunday.
Gracie Gold will represent the United States in the final day of the brand-new team competition in the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. She will be the U.S. team's entry into the women's free skate portion of the competition.
Live coverage of the women's free skate begins at 10 a.m. Springfield time on the NBC Sports Network (Channel 947 on Comcast cable). Medals in the team competition will be awarded at approximately 12:30 p.m. Springfield time.
The event will replayed during NBC's prime time Olympics programming, which starts at 6 p.m. Sunday (WAND-TV, Comcast Channel 10 or 906).
After Saturday's portion of the team competition, the United States stood in third place, behind Russia and Canada.
Gold also skates next week for a shot at an individual medal.
"I remember a couple of years ago, I was watching my role models in the Olympics," Gold, 18, told The Associated Press. "And now to be that role model, it's so wonderful."
Born in Newton, Mass., Gold and her twin sister, Carly, were raised in Springfield, Mo. They moved to central Illinois to skate, and the twins attended Ball-Chatham schools before switching to an online program. The Gold girls skated with the Springfield Figure Skating Club, and current members are getting together to cheer on their former teammate.
After growing by leaps and bounds with a new coach, Gold won her first national championship in Boston last month, performing her free skate to Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty."
"With (Coach) Frank (Carroll) every day after I am done jumping, we just take time to appreciate the nuances and the music and connecting with the audience and judges and have that warmth with my skating, the things that light up the rink," she said.
Since the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Gold has juggled — a nerve-calming trick — on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated.
This year, the skating talent pool is deep.
"There are so many different variables, and the women's field is so good this year," Gold told the AP. "I think the U.S. definitely has a strong team for the team event, definitely a chance to medal, if not win. I definitely think in singles I have a chance to medal; so do a lot of people. Who is going to leave everything out on the ice? The Olympics is about, 'This is what I have, go ahead and beat it.' "
Gold's dad, Dr. Carl Gold, is an anesthesiologist at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville. He previously worked at St. John's Hospital.
When Gold performs, Carl is like many parents.
"I fidget in my chair. My heart races. I get very nervous for her. I can hardly contain myself," he said. "When the program is over, I love cheering. I jump up and down. I'm as crazy as the next parent when it comes to cheering for your kiddo."
Carl's daughters and wife, Denise, moved to train in suburban Chicago and later in California. Carly is also a senior-level skater.
Carl Gold joined his family in Russia in time for the opening ceremonies.
"I challenge anyone to try to imagine a Midwest family, very humble beginnings, small town, rural Missouri, small town Illinois, just doing something on a daily basis, day in, day out, working hard," he said. "And then to watch this whole thing just kind of continue to grow and blossom.
"I can't say as a parent how proud I am of the accomplishment," Carl said.
His daughter is having fun with the experience, he added. She's focused right now on her next competition.
Both Gracie and Carly quickly picked up activities they tackled, from tumbling to swimming to dancing, their dad said. Skating was no different.
"They're the ones with the passion," he said. "It's a blessing to have healthy kids interested in something that they enjoy."
The girls go to the rink early, stay late and do whatever their coaches ask of them.
"As a parent, it was exciting. I was very proud of her. I have been inspired and continue to be inspired by both of their work ethics," Carl said.
The girls went to the Springfield Park District's Nelson Center before and after school and on weekends.
"The time here in central Illinois was a place where they put together their dedication to skating and infused that with the joy of skating with a group of just great kids at the Nelson Center," Carl said.
The central Illinois community has united around Gold.
"The outpouring of support has been overwhelming. It has been touching. It has been surprising in many ways," her father said. "Everybody feels connected to Gracie."
One of her Springfield coaches, Toni Hickey, said it was evident right away that Gold had an "it factor."
"You could tell right away that she just had something different," Hickey said. "She can really draw you in and make you watch what she's going to do. It just keeps building throughout the performance."
Gold would practice a move again and again until she figured it out, she said.
"She just has a star quality, an incredible drive, just very driven, always wanted to be the best," Hickey said. "She's kind of the whole package. She has that athleticism."
It is amazing "just knowing that everything she has worked for and ever dreamed of is happening for her," she said.
Motiving area skaters
Gold's success is motivating for Springfield's skaters, Hickey said.
The Olympics always boost interest in skating, but since Gold won at nationals, the Springfield Figure Skating Club and the Nelson Center are seeing even greater interest.
Club members who knew Gold are watching with awe and anticipation.
Eighth-grader Jasmine Campbell, who skates six days per week, remembers Gold bringing in special treats for the other skaters.
"She's always been kind of a role model to me," said Jasmine, who is home-schooled and hopes to make it to sectionals and then nationals in the novice ladies division.
Williamsville High School junior Sara Neale also skates six days per week. She plans to coach, like her mom, Yvonne Neale.
"(Gold) was always very supportive. I remember her encouraging me when I was having a difficult time with a jump," Neale said.
"To have an Olympian from Springfield" proves it can be done, she said. "It's just so cool to see someone you know personally. … It's the ultimate dream."
Gracie Gold will represent the United States in the final day of the brand-new team competition in the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. She will be the U.S. team's entry into the women's free skate portion of the competition.
Live coverage of the women's free skate begins at 10 a.m. Springfield time on the NBC Sports Network (Channel 947 on Comcast cable). Medals in the team competition will be awarded at approximately 12:30 p.m. Springfield time.
The event will replayed during NBC's prime time Olympics programming, which starts at 6 p.m. Sunday (WAND-TV, Comcast Channel 10 or 906).
After Saturday's portion of the team competition, the United States stood in third place, behind Russia and Canada.
Gold also skates next week for a shot at an individual medal.
"I remember a couple of years ago, I was watching my role models in the Olympics," Gold, 18, told The Associated Press. "And now to be that role model, it's so wonderful."
Born in Newton, Mass., Gold and her twin sister, Carly, were raised in Springfield, Mo. They moved to central Illinois to skate, and the twins attended Ball-Chatham schools before switching to an online program. The Gold girls skated with the Springfield Figure Skating Club, and current members are getting together to cheer on their former teammate.
After growing by leaps and bounds with a new coach, Gold won her first national championship in Boston last month, performing her free skate to Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty."
"With (Coach) Frank (Carroll) every day after I am done jumping, we just take time to appreciate the nuances and the music and connecting with the audience and judges and have that warmth with my skating, the things that light up the rink," she said.
Since the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Gold has juggled — a nerve-calming trick — on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated.
This year, the skating talent pool is deep.
"There are so many different variables, and the women's field is so good this year," Gold told the AP. "I think the U.S. definitely has a strong team for the team event, definitely a chance to medal, if not win. I definitely think in singles I have a chance to medal; so do a lot of people. Who is going to leave everything out on the ice? The Olympics is about, 'This is what I have, go ahead and beat it.' "
Gold's dad, Dr. Carl Gold, is an anesthesiologist at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville. He previously worked at St. John's Hospital.
When Gold performs, Carl is like many parents.
"I fidget in my chair. My heart races. I get very nervous for her. I can hardly contain myself," he said. "When the program is over, I love cheering. I jump up and down. I'm as crazy as the next parent when it comes to cheering for your kiddo."
Carl's daughters and wife, Denise, moved to train in suburban Chicago and later in California. Carly is also a senior-level skater.
Carl Gold joined his family in Russia in time for the opening ceremonies.
"I challenge anyone to try to imagine a Midwest family, very humble beginnings, small town, rural Missouri, small town Illinois, just doing something on a daily basis, day in, day out, working hard," he said. "And then to watch this whole thing just kind of continue to grow and blossom.
"I can't say as a parent how proud I am of the accomplishment," Carl said.
His daughter is having fun with the experience, he added. She's focused right now on her next competition.
Both Gracie and Carly quickly picked up activities they tackled, from tumbling to swimming to dancing, their dad said. Skating was no different.
"They're the ones with the passion," he said. "It's a blessing to have healthy kids interested in something that they enjoy."
The girls go to the rink early, stay late and do whatever their coaches ask of them.
"As a parent, it was exciting. I was very proud of her. I have been inspired and continue to be inspired by both of their work ethics," Carl said.
The girls went to the Springfield Park District's Nelson Center before and after school and on weekends.
"The time here in central Illinois was a place where they put together their dedication to skating and infused that with the joy of skating with a group of just great kids at the Nelson Center," Carl said.
The central Illinois community has united around Gold.
"The outpouring of support has been overwhelming. It has been touching. It has been surprising in many ways," her father said. "Everybody feels connected to Gracie."
One of her Springfield coaches, Toni Hickey, said it was evident right away that Gold had an "it factor."
"You could tell right away that she just had something different," Hickey said. "She can really draw you in and make you watch what she's going to do. It just keeps building throughout the performance."
Gold would practice a move again and again until she figured it out, she said.
"She just has a star quality, an incredible drive, just very driven, always wanted to be the best," Hickey said. "She's kind of the whole package. She has that athleticism."
It is amazing "just knowing that everything she has worked for and ever dreamed of is happening for her," she said.
Motiving area skaters
Gold's success is motivating for Springfield's skaters, Hickey said.
The Olympics always boost interest in skating, but since Gold won at nationals, the Springfield Figure Skating Club and the Nelson Center are seeing even greater interest.
Club members who knew Gold are watching with awe and anticipation.
Eighth-grader Jasmine Campbell, who skates six days per week, remembers Gold bringing in special treats for the other skaters.
"She's always been kind of a role model to me," said Jasmine, who is home-schooled and hopes to make it to sectionals and then nationals in the novice ladies division.
Williamsville High School junior Sara Neale also skates six days per week. She plans to coach, like her mom, Yvonne Neale.
"(Gold) was always very supportive. I remember her encouraging me when I was having a difficult time with a jump," Neale said.
"To have an Olympian from Springfield" proves it can be done, she said. "It's just so cool to see someone you know personally. … It's the ultimate dream."