Korean ice queen breaks another record in Paris

Kim Yu-na has done it again. Proving herself as queen of the ice she dazzled the audience in Paris last weekend, beating her earlier world record set in March this year.

She is now ranked first in women's figure skating in the world, ahead of Carolina Kostner.

On Saturday in the Trophee Eric Bompard Competition in Paris, the first Grand Prix Event of the Season, Kim scored 76.08 for her short program and 133.9 points in the free skating, making a combined score of 210.03 points.

This was a new record following her last groundbreaking 207.71 points in the International Skating Union World Figure Skating in Los Angeles last March.

“I was surprised to see the number 2-1-0 on the scoreboard. Such a big score in my first competition of the season. I felt a bit dazed,” Kim Yu-na said in her interview later, unable to hide her joy.

The combined score is at least 36 points higher than her closest runners-up Mao Asada and Yukari Nakano, both from Japan.

Kim Yu-na danced to a 007 James Bond Medley donned in black, sparkling dress in her short program, finishing all the eight planned movements flawlessly and grabbing a few extra points on the way. The score was just 0.04 behind her previous best score of 76.12.

In her free skating program in which she danced to Piano Concerto in F by George Gershwin, she made an unexpected mistake of missing a triple flip worth 5.5 points. She later explained there was something on her blade. But with her charismatic expression and flowing movements even that was complimented, with commentators saying she was alert enough to make a quick decision whether to attempt the jump or not. 

All in all, with her artistry and almost-impeccable performance she still managed to set a world record. Her Canadian coach Brian Orser, himself a two-time Olympic silver medalist, is also getting credit for the wonderful teamwork. She performed in the gala show with her favorite dance “Don't Stop the Music” by Rihanna.

Local media were not the only ones abuzz with Kim's phenomenal growth each season. “She is in the league of her own right now…. And she looks like she is enjoying herself. Everything she does is a dream,” said NBC. “Yu-na Kim gave warning to her rivals that she has Olympic gold in her sights as she surged to the lead after the short programme,” wrote AFP in the article “Bond girl Kim lights up Paris.”

“It took me less than three minutes to realize that Kim Yu-Na of South Korea should simply be presented the 2010 Olympic women's figure skating gold medal right now,” wrote Philip Hersh, sports columnist at the L.A. Times. Ice Network.com pointed out that Kim Yu-na was every bit reminiscent of figure skating legend Michelle Kwan.

Kim Yu-na is already a big celebrity at home, popping up in TV commercials and giant posters. Due to her daring, charismatic performances she is reputed to be “strong-hearted” or have “nerves of steel.” She is currently training at a camp in Toronto, Canada.

She started out as four time national champion from 2002 to 2005 in Korea. Her first overseas debut came in the 2005-2006 Junior Grand Prix Final, in which she took the first place. Her other pervious titles include 2006 World Junior champion, two-time Grand Prix Final Campion (2006-2007, 2007-2008) and 2009 Four Continent champion. 

Kim was also named by the Ministry of Culture, Sports as an ambassador for the 2010-2012 Visit Korea Year. Separately, she received the Republic of Korea Sports Award on Thursday Oct. 15, which commemorates Sports Day in Korea.
   
By Kim Hee-sung