- Joined
- Oct 21, 2005
NBCOlympics.com--U.S. Nationals: Breaking down the field
http://www.nbcolympics.com/figureskating/5082310/detail.html
Good preview. Here are some main notes:
Ladies:
Sasha Cohen, 21 -- Could this finally be the year for skating's most enigmatic woman? Even before Michelle Kwan was injured, she was the favorite for St. Louis.....One of the most talented skaters around, combining equal parts athleticism, artistry and beauty, but has had tendency to fall short when it matters most...... Has since reworked part of her free skate.
Kimmie Meissner, 16 -- Made a big splash at her first senior nationals last year with a triple Axel, only the second by an American woman and first since Tonya Harding in 1991....... Can jump with the best of them. If her artistry continues to grow with her, look out.
Alissa Czisny, 18 -- Had a spectacular start with second-place finish at Skate America and win at Skate Canada, establishing herself as a possible darkhorse for Torino..... is pleasant to watch, but has to find answer for her inconsistency in the biggest events. ...
Men:
Johnny Weir, 21 -- Two-time U.S. champion has had a rough year. Had to scramble in late September to rework his program after judges said difficulty levels weren't what he thought....Endearingly quirky, not afraid to wear unusual -- some call them garish -- costumes or speak his mind
Evan Lysacek, 20 -- Hoping to duplicate last year's success.....Energy and winsomeness on ice reflect his happy-go-lucky personality :agree:
Michael Weiss, 29 -- Three-time U.S. champion remains the Energizer Bunny of skating, going and going and going........ How long has Weiss been around? Daughter Annie-Mae is now 7 and son Christopher is 6.
Timothy Goebel, 25 -- Hard to tell what's going on with the Olympic bronze medalist....When he's on, no other American man can match the technical ability of "The Quad King," and he should be able to score big under the new judging system. But he needs to get his confidence back. ... Free skate is the devilish "Night on Bald Mountain," and his costume is appropriately frightful.
Pairs:
Katie Orscher and Garrett Lucash -- Proved they were no fluke last year, following a surprise silver medal finish in 2004 with their first U.S. title...Her hobby is cooking, and she hopes to go to culinary school when they're finished competing. ... His idol is David "Big Papi" Ortiz.
Rena Inoue and John Baldwin Jr. -- Took steps backward last year.......Her athleticism is their strength. He needs to stop popping jumps he mastered long before he could drive. ...
Marcy Hinzmann and Aaron Parchem -- Made the podium in only their second season together last year, winning the bronze medal.......He is married to Zuzanna Szwed, their choreographer who skated for Poland in the 1992 Olympics.
Dance:
Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto -- Two-time U.S. champions get better with each year and have little competition domestically, though the gap is beginning to close. ...
Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov -- Making progress on the international scene.....Don't be surprised if you don't recognize her this year. After years as a blonde, she's now a brunette.
Morgan Matthews and Maxim Zavozin -- Two-time U.S. junior champs were fifth at first senior nationals last year, but should make a jump......
Tiffany Stiegler and Sergey Magerovskiy -- Made an impressive showing at first nationals together, finishing fourth last year. ...
No mention of G-R/M.........
http://www.nbcolympics.com/figureskating/5082310/detail.html
Good preview. Here are some main notes:
Ladies:
Sasha Cohen, 21 -- Could this finally be the year for skating's most enigmatic woman? Even before Michelle Kwan was injured, she was the favorite for St. Louis.....One of the most talented skaters around, combining equal parts athleticism, artistry and beauty, but has had tendency to fall short when it matters most...... Has since reworked part of her free skate.
Kimmie Meissner, 16 -- Made a big splash at her first senior nationals last year with a triple Axel, only the second by an American woman and first since Tonya Harding in 1991....... Can jump with the best of them. If her artistry continues to grow with her, look out.
Alissa Czisny, 18 -- Had a spectacular start with second-place finish at Skate America and win at Skate Canada, establishing herself as a possible darkhorse for Torino..... is pleasant to watch, but has to find answer for her inconsistency in the biggest events. ...
Men:
Johnny Weir, 21 -- Two-time U.S. champion has had a rough year. Had to scramble in late September to rework his program after judges said difficulty levels weren't what he thought....Endearingly quirky, not afraid to wear unusual -- some call them garish -- costumes or speak his mind
Evan Lysacek, 20 -- Hoping to duplicate last year's success.....Energy and winsomeness on ice reflect his happy-go-lucky personality :agree:
Michael Weiss, 29 -- Three-time U.S. champion remains the Energizer Bunny of skating, going and going and going........ How long has Weiss been around? Daughter Annie-Mae is now 7 and son Christopher is 6.
Timothy Goebel, 25 -- Hard to tell what's going on with the Olympic bronze medalist....When he's on, no other American man can match the technical ability of "The Quad King," and he should be able to score big under the new judging system. But he needs to get his confidence back. ... Free skate is the devilish "Night on Bald Mountain," and his costume is appropriately frightful.
Pairs:
Katie Orscher and Garrett Lucash -- Proved they were no fluke last year, following a surprise silver medal finish in 2004 with their first U.S. title...Her hobby is cooking, and she hopes to go to culinary school when they're finished competing. ... His idol is David "Big Papi" Ortiz.
Rena Inoue and John Baldwin Jr. -- Took steps backward last year.......Her athleticism is their strength. He needs to stop popping jumps he mastered long before he could drive. ...
Marcy Hinzmann and Aaron Parchem -- Made the podium in only their second season together last year, winning the bronze medal.......He is married to Zuzanna Szwed, their choreographer who skated for Poland in the 1992 Olympics.
Dance:
Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto -- Two-time U.S. champions get better with each year and have little competition domestically, though the gap is beginning to close. ...
Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov -- Making progress on the international scene.....Don't be surprised if you don't recognize her this year. After years as a blonde, she's now a brunette.
Morgan Matthews and Maxim Zavozin -- Two-time U.S. junior champs were fifth at first senior nationals last year, but should make a jump......
Tiffany Stiegler and Sergey Magerovskiy -- Made an impressive showing at first nationals together, finishing fourth last year. ...
No mention of G-R/M.........
