No nerves for Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia.

Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia finished second in the rhythm dance but could have an advantage over their French rivals in aiming for the gold medal. With a performance of the free dance during the team competition at these Olympics under their belt, the Russian team should not be bothered by the nerves that can accompany a first performance at the Games. (France did not qualify for the team competition.)

Plus, Sinitsina and Katsalapov have defeated Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France before, at the 2020 European championships. Katsalapov has battled a recent back injury, which forced the couple to withdraw from the recent Russian championships. But he has appeared to be fine at the Olympics and has experience on the medal podium.

At the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Katsalapov won a bronze medal with a different partner, Elena Ilinykh. If Sinitsina and Katsalapov win gold in Beijing, it will mark the eighth time that a Soviet/Russian couple has won the ice dancing competition in the 13 Olympics since the sport was introduced to the Games in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1976.