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Wahoo! U.S. Figure Skating Nationals this weekend! I've been waiting for this for months, especially since it's the only real major competition I'll get to see. Worlds are again on ESPN this year (boo!), and I probably won't get to see the Olympics since they're on NBC, which is the channel we can never get a clear picture on. *sigh*
Anyway, I just finished watching the men's final. Johnny Weir defended his national title, Evan Lycacek got the silver, and Matt Savoie won the bronze with an absolutely wonderful free program. If only he hadn't had that one fall, he might have challenged Weir for the gold, but I'm happy that it looks like he'll be going to the Olympics. (They haven't announced the official team, but it's usually the top three.) He deserves it. Of course, that means fourth place finisher Michael Weiss, who's one of my favorites, most likely won't get an Olympic berth, but he's already been twice before, so that's okay.
My favorite part of the competition, though, was when they revealed State Farm had bought tickets for Rohene Ward's mother and nephew to come see him skate. Unfortunately, he ended up having a terrible free skate, but it was still really touching when they brought his family out. Major waterworks.
The women's final is tonight at seven, and the big shocker is that Michelle Kwan withdrew from the competition with a groin injury. She's still hoping for an Olympic berth, though, as injured skaters can petition for a spot on the team (like Nancy Kerrigan did in 1994, ironically knocking Michelle off the team). Boy, it's going to be strange not seeing her at the Nationals. She's been to every one since...1993, I believe. I've never watched a Nationals in which she wasn't there.
However, with Kwan absent, that means the title is (my favorite ^_^) Sasha Cohen's to lose. I don't think any of the other skaters can touch her as long as she skates well. She has a fairly good lead after the short program. It'll be interesting to see who the third will be, assuming that Sasha wins and Michelle is given the berth. I'm rooting for Kimmie Meissner, but she's currently in fourth after the short, so I don't know. Emily Hughes is second, and I have to admit she's pretty good. It would be kinda cool if she went to the Olympics and had a fantastic free skate like her sister did in 2002 to win the gold, but I don't think she's really at that level yet. It's only her first or second year on the senior level. Then there's Beatrisa Liang, who's currently in third and rather good as well... It's a shame that Jenny Kirk decided to turn pro and Angela Nikodinov is out of competition due to the hand injury she suffered in that terrible car wreck that killed her mother during the Nationals last year (or was it the year before?). I would have loved to see one of them (especially Angela) at the Olympics this year. Michelle and Sasha are strong, but none of the others at the competition have much international experience.
As for pairs and ice dance, I hope they at least show the winning skates during tonight's broadcast and not just ignore them to show the women. I especially want to see Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, who won the national ice dance title and are currently the world silver medalists. They're always fun to watch, and the good news is that Tanith finally got her citizenship, so they'll be able to skate at the Olympics. That's a relief. Americans have never been that strong in ice dance, but they have a really good chance of medalling, maybe even the gold.
One more hour! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!
Anyway, I just finished watching the men's final. Johnny Weir defended his national title, Evan Lycacek got the silver, and Matt Savoie won the bronze with an absolutely wonderful free program. If only he hadn't had that one fall, he might have challenged Weir for the gold, but I'm happy that it looks like he'll be going to the Olympics. (They haven't announced the official team, but it's usually the top three.) He deserves it. Of course, that means fourth place finisher Michael Weiss, who's one of my favorites, most likely won't get an Olympic berth, but he's already been twice before, so that's okay.
My favorite part of the competition, though, was when they revealed State Farm had bought tickets for Rohene Ward's mother and nephew to come see him skate. Unfortunately, he ended up having a terrible free skate, but it was still really touching when they brought his family out. Major waterworks.
The women's final is tonight at seven, and the big shocker is that Michelle Kwan withdrew from the competition with a groin injury. She's still hoping for an Olympic berth, though, as injured skaters can petition for a spot on the team (like Nancy Kerrigan did in 1994, ironically knocking Michelle off the team). Boy, it's going to be strange not seeing her at the Nationals. She's been to every one since...1993, I believe. I've never watched a Nationals in which she wasn't there.
However, with Kwan absent, that means the title is (my favorite ^_^) Sasha Cohen's to lose. I don't think any of the other skaters can touch her as long as she skates well. She has a fairly good lead after the short program. It'll be interesting to see who the third will be, assuming that Sasha wins and Michelle is given the berth. I'm rooting for Kimmie Meissner, but she's currently in fourth after the short, so I don't know. Emily Hughes is second, and I have to admit she's pretty good. It would be kinda cool if she went to the Olympics and had a fantastic free skate like her sister did in 2002 to win the gold, but I don't think she's really at that level yet. It's only her first or second year on the senior level. Then there's Beatrisa Liang, who's currently in third and rather good as well... It's a shame that Jenny Kirk decided to turn pro and Angela Nikodinov is out of competition due to the hand injury she suffered in that terrible car wreck that killed her mother during the Nationals last year (or was it the year before?). I would have loved to see one of them (especially Angela) at the Olympics this year. Michelle and Sasha are strong, but none of the others at the competition have much international experience.
As for pairs and ice dance, I hope they at least show the winning skates during tonight's broadcast and not just ignore them to show the women. I especially want to see Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, who won the national ice dance title and are currently the world silver medalists. They're always fun to watch, and the good news is that Tanith finally got her citizenship, so they'll be able to skate at the Olympics. That's a relief. Americans have never been that strong in ice dance, but they have a really good chance of medalling, maybe even the gold.
One more hour! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!
