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Gold drought about to end: Russians 1-2 after short program

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) — Friends, rivals, and soon, medalists.

The only question is: Which Russian teen figure skating star will end the nation's gold medal drought?

Alina Zagitova or Evgenia Medvedeva will almost certainly take gold in one of the Winter Games marquee events after they went 1-2 in the women's short program Wednesday with the highest scores ever. The 15-year-old Zagitova and the 18-year-old Medvedva train with the same coach, hang out together and set world records just minutes apart.

With a dominating lead over the field, their friendly competition is the main drama left when the women compete in the free skate Friday.