Sochi, Feb 21 (IANS): Adelina Sotnikova cashed in on a home ice advantage to win Russia's first ever Olympic women's figure skating gold here.

The 17-year-old, second in short programme, won free skating in 149.95 points for a winning total of 224.59 Thursday. South Korean Kim Yuna, bidding to be the first woman figure skater to win back-to-back Olympic gold since 1988, scored 219.11 points for the silver after finishing an elegant and perfect free skate. Italian Carolina Kostner took bronze in 216.73 points, reports Xinhua.

Despite an error when she two-footed a double loop, Sotnikova was awarded a huge 15.76 points over the South Korean.

It was Russia's third figure skating gold here after the team's triumph and Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov pairs' victory.

American Gracie Gold placed fourth in 205.53 points, about five points ahead of fifth-placed Russian Yulia Lipnitskaya. Two-time World Champion Mao Asada of Japan, who was 16th in short programme and finished free skating in third place, was sixth in 198.22 points.