Sarah Hughes biography

Synopsis

Born on May 2, 1985, in Great Neck, New York, Sarah Hughes started skating competitively as a toddler and made it to the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. At 16, she staged a historic upset by winning the women’s figure skating gold medal over favorite Michelle Kwan with a program that featured two fully executed triple-jump combinations. Hughes has gone on to graduate from Yale University.

Olympic Career

Figure skater Sarah Elizabeth Hughes was born on May 2, 1985, in Great Neck, New York. The fourth of six children, Hughes surprised the skating world when she won the gold medal in women's figure skating at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Hughes was in fourth place as she headed into the long program, but after landing a record-setting seven triple jumps, she edged out Russia's Irina Slutskaya and U.S. favorite Michelle Kwan. Hughes is currently skating professionally and attending Yale University.