Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, of Germany, dropped to the bronze medal after a flawed free skate.
It's the first time since 1960 that a Russian or Soviet couple isn't atop the Olympic podium, ending one of the longest winning streaks in sports. Perhaps even more shocking, the Russians are leaving empty-handed, with no medals of any color.
Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov were in third after the short program, but she bailed out on their throw quadruple salchow, opening up and turning it into a triple. Not a good one, either, as she skidded and twisted across the ice on the landing. She also fell on their throw triple loop, and he stepped out of their double axel sequence.
Americans Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig were 10th, while Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett, the reigning U.S. champions, were 13th.
Men's figure skating
A recurring foot problem will prevent Evan Lysacek from trying the hardest jump in figure skating this week at the Olympics.
The defending world champion has ruled out the quadruple toe loop, a four-rotation jump that's typically worth big points given its high risk and high level of difficulty, because of lingering pain from a stress fracture he suffered last year in his left foot.
Lysacek, 24, of Chicago, didn't need the quad in 2009 to become the first American man in 13 years to win a world title, and he kept it off the table last month in placing second at the U.S. Championships, with two pretty clean programs featuring a slew of triple jumps.
Most think Lysacek must throw the quad to stay close to a stacked international field, led by Russian Evgeni Plushenko, the 2006 Olympic gold medalist and a three-time world champion. U.S. teammate Jeremy Abbott likely will attempt the quad, and 2008 world bronze medalist Johnny Weir is debating whether to do it.
