Countdown to Sochi 2014: Ashley Wagner

Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll look at some of your favorite Winter Olympic athletes ahead of the Sochi games. Today, figure skater and U.S. World Champion, Ashley Wagner.

In the last 2-3 years, Wagner has established herself as the face of U.S. Olympic figure skating, winning gold medals at the 2012 and 2013 national championships. She also won a gold medal at the Four Contintent Championships in Colorado Springs.

Wagner has come under fire recently for her poor performance at the 2014 National Championships. She fell twice during the short program and landed less difficult jumps in the lengthier free program. As a result, she came in 4th place.

However, due to her past success (and perhaps some other reasons), she was chosen for the Olympic team in Sochi.

Despite the setback, experts are picking her to medal.