Kim Yuna coasts to gold medal in women's figure skating

Kim Yuna got the big victory in her back-and-forth rivalry with Mao Asada of Japan.

Yuna scored a staggering 150.06 points in the free program Thursday night and coasted to a gold medal in women's figure skating with a total of 228.56 points.

Asada won the silver with a score of 205.50 points. 

Crowd favorite Joannie Rochette of Canada won the bronze with 202.64 points.

U.S. skaters Mirai Nagasu and Rachael Flatt finished fourth and seventh, respectively.

But all the talk was of Kim and Asada.

“Having these two women fairly close and skating well and creating this rivalry that's been there in the past ... it's just good for the audience,” Brian Orser, Kim's coach, said. “It will keep everybody on the edge of their seats. It's exciting, and it's exciting for Yuna.”

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Kim Yuna performs a spin during her free skate on Thursday night. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times