Totmianina, Marinin clinch figure skating gold
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-14 09:16

Despite the interruption, their display earned them a combined total of 189.73 and a standing ovation from more than 6,000 roaring fans at the Palavela rink.

"We are challenging the extreme limits of what a human being can do," Zhang Dan said after limping on to podium with her left knee heavily strapped.

"I had to turn four revolutions in the air and a huge distance and then I hit the boards. You can only imagine how painful that would be.

"It was a very valuable lesson in competition which was very important for myself."

Having carried forward a lead of 3.92 points from Saturday's short program, Totmianina and Marinin were the only couple to perform a flawless free skate.

The twice world champions opened their four-minute free program with soaring triple Salchows before five more jumps and throws followed to the thundering beats of Romeo and Juliet.

They also executed three imaginative lifts to perfection to ensure their competitive swansong ended on a winning note.

The Chicago-based pair finished their routine with Marinin majestically falling to his knees.

The moment the music stopped, Marinin pumped his fists in delight before kissing his partner's hands on bended knees.

"Everything was in that move," said Marinin, who feared Totmianina would break up the partnership after being concussed by a head-first fall in 2004 Skate America contest.

"It was appreciation of what Tatiana did for me, that she trusted me, that she has been with me as part of a team all the time.

"Without her help I couldn't have done anything. I couldn't have got through the troubles of last season. It was a public expression of my appreciation."

Zhang and Zhang became China's most successful Olympic figure skaters after winning their nation's first silver medal in the discipline.