She skated really, really well. The two triple-triples made for a really strong program. She deserved to be first.

I stayed strong, and I believed in myself and to finish up a strong program and get a standing ovation and then to have the judges give me great marks on top of that was everything I could have asked for.

It was very difficult. I wasn't coming back with an easy jump, with the triple loop, which I also slammed in the warm-up. I was able to believe when everything was dark and gray. The music carried me through. It goes beyond an athletic event, goes to emotional experience.

I'm used to skating in all positions, first or last. You take it all in stride and do your job.

First, you get really dizzy and you learn that you have to center, to stay in one spot.

A year ago I had a back injury and followed a good nutrition program to help speed up my recovery. I focused on exercise and staying healthy in order to get back out on the ice.