Olympic Pairs Figure Skating: A Couple on and Off the Ice
Representing Germany, figure skater Aliona Savchenko returned for her fifth Olympic Games, this time with new partner Bruno Massot. With a shaky short program landing them in fourth place, the Germans hopes looked dismal.
However, they dazzled the audience and judges with their technically difficult free skate performance of “La Terre vue du ciel,” earning them enough points to not only win the gold, but also set a new world record.
The USA entry, married couple Alexa and Chris Knierim, captured America’s heart with their touching love story, however their disappointing performances only landed 15th place.
The couple met in 2012 and were married in 2016, the ceremony being officiated by their fifth-year coach, Dalilah Sappenfield. They won a second national championship in January of 2018 and then joined the U.S. team.
Alexa underwent three abdominal surgeries in 2016 due to gastrointestinal problems, withdrawing from competitions for time to heal. Open and proud of their Christian faith, the Knierims attend bible studies in Colorado where they live with other coaches and athletes.
