Vancouver (AFP) - Favourite Kim Yu-Na lived up to her star billing as she gave South Korea their first ever Olympic figure skating title with a stunning performance here on Thursday.
The reigning world champion wiped the tears from her eyes after her spellbinding free skate at the Pacific Coliseum which gave her gold by a massive 23-point margin on her nearest challenger Mao Asada of Japan.
Canada's Joannie Rochette claimed bronze as she bravely competed just four days after the death of her mother Therese from a heart attack in Vancouver.
"I can't believe this day has finally come for me," said Kim.
"I still can't believe the score that I received, I'm really surprised. It's almost as close as the men's score."
Wearing royal blue, the 19-year-old Kim, known to her fans as 'Queen Yu-Na,' sealed victory with her performance to Gershwin's "Concerto in F" which she opened with a triple-triple combination.
She nailed six triples and a total of 11 jumps in her four minute routine which had the 11,000-plus crowd on their feet.
"In the past, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to do what I wanted, but I am really happy that I was able to show everything I did in training," said Kim.
"Watching previous figure skaters, I always wondered why they cried after their performance. Crying for the first time today, I still don't know why I did."
After already setting a world record in the short programme, she demolished her own free skate and overall record marks, achieving 150.06 points for the routine and an overall total of 228.56.
Asada, the 2008 world champion, had the difficult task of performing her routine to Rachmaninov's "Bells of Moscow" just after her rival.
But the fiesty Asada, 19, came out fighting, landing two back-to-back triple axels, the second combined with a double toeloop.
But halfway through her routine she ran into trouble, double footing a triple flip and singling the following attempted triple toeloop.
She scored 131.72 for an overall 205.50, and it was enough to take silver.
"I did everything I could," she said.
"To complete both triple-axels well at the Olympics was one good thing about my performance. But I am not happy with the rest of my performance. I do feel regretful."
Rochette, 24, skated to Camille St. Saens' "Samson and Delilah."
She two-footed two of her jumps but it was enough for the world silver medallist to stand on the podium.
She had the crowd on their feet for her gutsy performance which put Canada back on the women's podium for the first time since Elizabeth Manley took silver at the 1988 Calgary Games.
She scored 131.28 and an overall 202.64.
ea/mp
