Complex sentence: Slutskaya could lose to Kwan in the free skate (e.g. finish 2nd to Kwan) and still win, however, she skated a strong performance and a majority of the judges named Slutskaya the winner of the free skate.
Split into simpler sentences: Slutskaya could lose to Kwan in the free skate (e.g. finish 2nd to Kwan) and still win. Regardless, she skated a strong performance and a majority of the judges named Slutskaya the winner of the free skate.