Last night, 24-year-old Evan Lysacek became the first American man to win a gold medal in figure skating since Brian Boitano in 1988. Although Evan is the reigning World Champion, he was not a lock to win at the Olympics. Russian skater Evgeni “Plushy” Plushenko, known for both his perma-mullet and his ability to do quadruple jumps without breaking a sweat, did a Brett Favre-style un-retirement and was the favorite to win in Vancouver.

Plushy won a gold medal four years ago in Turin and was hoping to become the first man to win back-to-back skating golds since Dick Button won in 1948 and 1952. Before the Olympics, he gave several interviews stating that he did not think it would be possible for any skater to win without doing a quad jump. However, under the new scoring system (created after a judging scandal in the pairs event in Salt Lake City resulted in a Canadian pair getting co-gold medals and a public apology from the International Olympic Committee), Evan’s triple-triple jump combination was worth almost the same number of points as Plushenko’s quad, and the American was stronger than the Russian in his marks for footwork, transitions, and artistry.

Besides the fact that he’s a newly minted gold medalist, what do we know about Evan Lysacek? Well, like any good skater, he comes with some melodrama. He and teammate/reality star Johnny Weir are longtime rivals, and Lysacek’s recent breakup with ice dancer Tanith Belbin resulted in her choosing to be roommates with Weir in the Olympic village in Vancouver. Don’t cry for Evan, though — he’s reportedly dating gymnast Nastia Liukin, who won the all-around gold medal at the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. Clearly, the man has a type. So if you happen to be a beautiful, blonde Olympian this is your chance!

Now that he has won his sport’s highest honor, what will Evan do next? He could decide to remain an amateur skater and try for another medal at the next winter Olympics (which, coincidentally, will be held in Sochi, Russia). If he chooses to leave competitive skating, he could follow many fellow ex-Olympians and join one of the national skating tours, like Stars On Ice. But it sounds like he might have some non-skating ambitions, as well. Evan recently told People magazine that when he’s not training he lives in Los Angeles and goes clubbing with celebrity friends like Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe, and that he has considered pursuing acting. Judging by how bright orange his skin was last night, it also seems that Evan could potentially be a Jersey Shore fan, or at least he goes to the same tanning salon as Snooki.

Might we offer a suggestion? Just as Evan followed Brian Boitano to the medal podium, perhaps he could also follow Boitano to the Food Network? Or maybe South Park could immortalize him in song (what rhymes with “Lysacek”?). Either way, we look forward to seeing what this golden boy does next, and congratulate him on his win.

(Photos by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Post from: Crushable