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Who is Bradie Tennell?

By Nir Regev

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 11: Bradie Tennell of the United States competes in the Figure Skating Team Event – Ladies’ Short Program on day two of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 11, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 11: Bradie Tennell of the United States competes in the Figure Skating Team Event – Ladies’ Short Program on day two of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 11, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Bradie Tennell is Team USA’s figure skating favorite to win a gold medal after becoming the 2018 National U.S. Champion with a Cinderella program.

Without question, 20-year old Bradie Tennell is Team USA’s best chance to win a gold medal in Ladies Short Program and Free Skating. Tennell captured America’s hearts with a “Cinderella” [Patrick Doyle] themed program at the 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Tennell’s rise to the top of the figure skating world has been called a “Cinderella” story in itself but it’s no random streak of good luck.

It all started with Tennell being healthy for a full skating season and being able to perform at 100 percent at the highest level. She began soaring epically after winning a bronze medal at the 2017 Skate America Grand Prix last November and has never looked back since. Tennell became the 2018 U.S. National Champion shortly afterwards, and earned a debut at the biggest ice skating rink of them all, the Winter Olympics.

The Illinois-born figure skater has already made her Olympic debut in Pyeongchang ’18 with a team bronze medal in the women’s short program. Though she placed fifth in the team event and debut at Pyeongchang [0.01 points behind fourth place], Tennell earned her best score of the season with a 68.94.

According to The Washington Post, Tennell was thrilled with her performance.

"“It felt like I was doing another program in a practice session. I’m really happy. I don’t think I could have asked for a better first program at the Olympics.”– Bradie Tennell"

She’s told NBCOlympics.com, “That just being in the Olympics is an accomplishment in itself”. United Airlines flew in Tennell’s mom and brothers to Pyeongchang, South Korea for her 20th birthday on Jan. 31. Tennell has called her family her number one supporter.

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Tennell’s unshakable composure and immaculate precision under pressure is why she’ll be a heavy favorite to medal for Team USA on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and Thursday, Feb. 22.

The Ladies’ Short Program will air on NBCOlympics.com live and on NBC Primetime television on Tuesday and the Ladies’ Free Skate will follow on Thursday.

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