SOCHI, Russia — Ashley Wagner’s look of pained disbelief upon seeing her scores for her short program in figure skating’s team competition last week immediately went viral, earning her the moniker of “Sochi’s McKayla Maroney.”
Maroney, of course, was the U.S. gymnast and overwhelming gold-medal favorite in vault at the 2012 London Games who finished with silver after an uncharacteristic fall. And hers was the crooked scowl on the silver-medal stand that was emailed ’round the world.
Upon returning to Sochi from an intensive training session in Austria the last few days, the three U.S. women who’ll compete for individual medals Wednesday and Thursday met with reporters.
Wagner, 22, a West Potomac graduate, was joined by Gracie Gold, 18, and Polina Edmunds, 15. She was in particularly buoyant spirits, even when asked about the less-than-flattering photo.
“What you see is what you get,” said Wagner, who was signed last fall to represent CoverGirl. “If I’m sad, I’m sad. If I’m happy, I’m happy. You will always get the true story with me. I haven’t mastered the art of sitting and smiling.”
The disappointing marks, 63.10, rendered for Wagner’s saucy short program to Pink Floyd’s “Shine on You Crazy Diamond,” were more than six points shy of her season’s best score of 69.26.
Asked how she and her coach planned to improve her short program marks on Wednesday, when the women’s competition gets under way, Wagner said with a laugh: “We’ve been trying out this new technique where you land jumps on one foot.”
The women’s short program will be contested at 7 p.m. local time on Wednesday, with the free skate to follow on Thursday, also at 7 p.m.
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