Twitter Tops

Last October I looked at the who was the Top Figure Skating Tweeps out there. With a season now behind us...I decided to take another look to see where things currently stand in the skating "Twitterverse."

Here is the current Top 10 Figure Skating Tweeps:

#10 Daisuke Takahashi (14,405)

#9 Mirai Nagasu (15,568)

#8 Fumie Suguri (18,046)

#7 Miki Ando (22,363)

#6 Evgeny Plushenko (22,841)

#5 Kristi Yamaguchi (25,464)

#4 Joannie Rochette (26,868)

#3 Evan Lysacek (63,752)

#2 Johnny Weir (95,794)

#1 Kim Yu-Na (356,355)

There have been some change in the results. Japanese skaters are showing up on Twitter and they have big followings. Miki Ando, Daisuke Takahashi, and Fumie Suguri have all made the top 10. Only Nagasu held her ground to stay in the top 10 with Belbin, Chan, and Abbott all getting the boot! Past Ando the placements are unchanged. Women have taken over with 6 in the top 10. Kristi remains the only "Pro" skater to be in the field. Now, all the skaters are single skaters (with Belbin's exit). And the Queen (Kim) is still queen...in a huge way.

I decided to look at the numbers in a different way. Rather than looking at # of followers, I looked at % increase in followers which painted a different story. How do they rank (excpet Ando, Suguri, and Takahashi who I didn't have info on last Oct.) by percent increase of followers?

#9 Evan Lysacek + 8%

#8 Patrick Chan + 31% (No Longer in Top 10)

#7 Kim Yu-Na + 34%

#6 Mirai Nagasu + 34.5%

#5 Johnny Weir + 37%

#4 Jeremy Abbott + 41% (No Longer in Top 10)

#3 Joannie Rochette + 44%

#2 Kristi Yamaguchi + 66%

#1 Evgeny Plushenko + 91%

Wow! The Olympic Champ is struggling! In a more and more socially connected world he was only able to increase his Twitter following by 8%...yikes. The bright-lights of Vancouver are fading...might explain his recent indication that he may be returning to competition. I feel like that was a poor quarterly earnings report.

The rest of the field has made nice gains...but one crushes them all...Plushenko! He's almost doubled his Twitter following. This shows he has a dedicated social core and with his subsequent return to competition I suspect this number will continue to rise as well.

Why has Kristi Yamaguchi gained so many followers? Does someone know something I don't?

Skate Canada Fantasy Picks

So another Grand Prix event, more Fantasy Picks...here's what I've come up with:

Ladies

I think Ladies A was the hardest of all my decisions. I went with the veteran Fumie Suguri. Maybe this is the year veterans strike back with Carolina's win last week as evidence. Chose another veteran with Ladies B although Meier has rarely been on form this early in the season. Ladies C was a no brainer with the Junior World Silver Medalist...I actually think Agnes is my favorite for the win!

Dance

Dance A seemed an easy choice but Crone and Poirier could put up a fight and surprise at home. Chock and Zuerlein seemed the easy choice for B and Paul and Islam looked like the easy choice for C as the Junior World Silver Medalists. No brainers...

Pairs

Really watered down field...so much so that the choice for A is de facto. No idea who to pick for B so went with a Chinese Team...they'll likely land throws, right? Blind picked C and went with the energetic Americans...I've seen them skate well before!

Men

Watching Nobu land those quad triples with such easy on YouTube makes me think he's going to do well here...that was a tough choice between he and Chan but went with Nobunari. Alban skated so well at this event last season so picked him for B. Another dice roll as far as my C pick is concerned...Japan seems to be skating well so went with Nanri.

Thoughts? Skate Canada preview coming tomorrow.

UPDATE: News that Sarah Meier may have injured herself in practice made me nervous so a quick change of the fantasy picks...I've gone with Haruka Imai of Japan for Ladies B instead.

News Round-Up

Surgery, new Skating shows, old commentators making comebacks...I have to dedicate myself to work for a week and the skating news cycle blows up!

Michal Brezina is out of Cup of China....wamp wamp. Universal Sports Tweeted that "he had surgery yesterday on a varicose vein in his stomach yesterday." Sounds kind of gross...but not too serious. The doctor has ordered two weeks rest, so the Czech Champ will miss stop #3 on the Grand Prix Final and will thus not be able to make the Grand Prix Final...darn. And while on the topic of Surgery, Tessa Virtue also had surgery associated with her CECS (Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome) condition. "Apparently the surgery went really well and I am confident that I have the most competent support team to help me with my recovery. I am excited to get back on the ice as soon as I can and look forward to training and competing pain-free" Tessa told Skate Canada. The Olympic Champ hopes that she and partner Scott Moir can be back on the ice and be ready to compete later this season.

Move aside Jennifer Gray (did I just put in an early DWTS winner prediction; yup!)...at the conclusion of this season of DWTS, Skating with the Stars will hit the ABC airwaves. From the Press Release:

You’ve seen what happens when celebrities take on the ballroom, now see what happens when they hit the ice on blades of steel, in “Skating with the Stars.” The new series from BBC Worldwide Productions pairs a celebrity with a world class ice skater as they prepare to compete in front of a live audience in a televised ice skating competition. The skating pairs will be critiqued by a panel of expert judges and will receive a set of scores based on artistry and technique and by viewers at home, with one couple being eliminated each week. “Skating with the Stars” will kick off its six-episode run with a live premiere episode on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Trainwreck or Triumph...we shall see.

Ah the Glory days of figure skating coverage...aka the Michelle Kwan years. You know, before NBC took over and ABC ruled the skating roost? Well NBC has made one it's best moves yet, by grabbing a little old and making it new. Terry Gannon will join the likes of Scott Hamilton, Tara Lipinski, and Michael Weiss to cover this season's Grand Prix. I'm not even got to beat around the bush and tell you I am not a fan of Tom Hammond and his broadcast "style." If he never returned I'd be happy. Terry covered these skaters for a long time and really 'knew' them and it will be nice to have an actual broadcast voice of knowledge on the Grand Prix. I pray NBC keeps him for Nationals and Worlds!

Last, a little spying on skaters in training for the upcoming season. Take a peek at this spiffy Quad Toe-Triple Toe-Triple Loop from Nobunari Oda. Isn't he about to be (already is?) a dad? Update: Yup! A dad!

Pic of the Week

Wamp wamp. Oh Evan Bates...

Oh boo! The last thing a skater wants to hear is that they have an Achilles Tendon injury. That's not an easy thing to come back from.

But don't loose hope...the same thing happened to Hongbo Zhao...he went on with partner Xue Shen to win an Olympic Bronze Medal, another World Title, and of course an Olympic Gold Medal.

Six months the doctor says he has to be off the ice. Do the math...if you start counting from today, he makes his return to the ice March 30th...three days after the conclusion of the World Championships in Tokyo. Bummer.

So basically it's the end of the season for Evan and Emily, and it never even started. "It’s very disappointing," Bates told the Detroit Free Press. "We had just made this coaching change, and we were getting a lot of positive feedback and looking forward to this season. Nothing I can do now except sit here."

And just sitting in Ice Dance is never a good thing when you have lots of teams already nipping at your heels including Maia and Alex Shibutani, Chock and Zuerlein, and Madison and Keiffer Hubbell.

At least Evan is being positive; "We’ll be stronger for it."

Oh better days...

UPDATE: Evan updated his Twitter followers this morning: "I had surgery to repair my achilles yesterday and docs said it was extremely successful. Thanks to all who have messaged me their support!"

Nebelhorn Trophy

Nebelhorn Trophy is upon us and it is the first look we'll get this season of some of the top talent in figure skating. Many skaters use this competition to as a pre-season warm-up for major competition which is just around the corner. Some of the top names kicking off their season at Nebelhorn include: Bazarova and Larionov, Cappellini and Lanotte, Michal Brezina, Kiira Korpi, Kanako Murakami, Pechalat and Bourzat, and Kevin van der Perren.

Predictions...I got myself into trouble last season. My prediction rate for the season was terrible but poor alas I feel the need to keep plugging away. So who do I think will take top honors in Germany?

Dance:
GOLD - Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat (France)
SILVER - Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte (Italy)
BRONZE - Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani (USA) (An ambitious prediction but I think they have it in them!)

Men:
GOLD - Michal Brezina (Czech Republic)
SILVER - Kevin van der Perren (Belgium)
BRONZE - Armin Mahbanoozadeh (USA) (Ambitious again...go Armin!!!)

Pairs:
GOLD - Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov (Russia)
SILVER - Nicole Della Monica and Yannick Kocon (Italy)
BRONZE - Stefaniea Berton and Ondrej Hotarek (Italy)

Women:
GOLD - Kiira Korpi (Finland)
SILVER - Diane Szmiett (Canada)
BRONZE - Jenna McCorkell (Great Britain)

One of these days I'm going to go 12 for 12!

UPDATE: Yikes, Team Japan is down to one (Tatsuki Machida) so I've updated my ladies preditctions.

Orser: "It came out of the blue."

More information is beginning to unfold in the big news yesterday that Kim Yu-Na would not be coached any longer by Brian Orser.

Again, it appears Kim's mother made the decision at an August 2nd meeting with Brian Orser and assistant coach Tracy Wilson. He waited three weeks before making a statement because he hoped things could be reconciled between them.

"It was very much a surprise," Orser told Randy Starkman of The Star. "There was really no valid reason. I still don’t understand why they did this. I don’t know. It came out of the blue. They sat down with me and Tracy and said we’re not coaching her anymore. And that was that."

Apparently Orser and his team were told to focus on other skaters they train (which include Adam Rippon and Christina Gao) as Kim Yu-Na had not yet finalized her plans for the upcoming season. However, Orser says not focusing on Kim was one of the reasons given for the decision to end the coaching partnership.

Orser goes on to say decisions about Kim Yu-Na's training always came from her mother. "We were just waiting to get our orders from the mother because that’s what we always did. She always told us when they were ready to move in a certain direction and we had a meeting and we got pen and paper out and we did a plan. We never got to that point."

While AT Sports claims relations between Kim and Orser have been uneasy since May, Orser claims that simply isn't the case. He also made it clear money wasn't the reason either as Orser has never had a contract with Kim. Orser says he knew something was up when he was left completely out of the loop over Kim's plans during the summer and none of the people working with Kim including Shae-Lynn Bourne would fill him in with any details. "When are you coming back to Toronto? There was not even a response there. It was really kind of pathetic."

Seemingly caught in the middle is Kim Yu-Na. Orser believes she wasn't a part of these decisions at all and is as confused as he is. "I spoke with her the other day. She seems confused about what’s going on. Because of all this turmoil with her mother, she doesn’t know what’s going on. Nor do I. That’s what I said to her, 'I’m a little confused, but it’s been a great four years.'"

Weird! Orser says he's decided to move on. "I’ve got some great kids. I love my job, I love my work and I’ll continue to."

Update: Just moments ago, the following Tweet came from Kim Yu-Na's Twitter Account: Would you please stop to tell a lie, B? I know exactly what's going on now and this is what I've DECIDED.

UPDATE: Brian Orser speaks out on CTV's Canada AM.

BREAKING NEWS: Kim Yu-Na and Brian Orser Part Ways

What happened?!?! Arguably one of the most successful coach/skater partnerships ever has come to an end. Korean news has reported that Kim Yu-Na and Brian Orser have parted ways. It is also reported that for the time David Wilson will continue to work with Kim (the translation makes it seem as if he would be her coach...not sure on this bit). David Wilson is currently choreographing Kim Yu-Na's new free skate.

More to report as more info comes.

Update: It would appear that Kim's mother as well and a representative from AT Sports met with Orser way back on August 2nd and he was informed then he would not be retained as Kim's coach.

"I am honored to have worked with such a talented and gifted skater," said Orser. "I wish her all the best as she moves forward in her skating career."

Let the speculation begin....what would cause the split?

Feedback

In my ongoing pursuit of aesthetic perfection I've again updated the look of Axels, Loops, and Spins. What do you think? All feedback good and bad welcome.

UPDATE: Okay, another design look. Further feedback welcome.

UPDATE: Winner?

Loss of Eligibility

Plushenko's grand designs on competing again in Sochi may be dashed.

During the ISU June Congress, the ISU yanked his eligibility:

Decision of the ISU Council on Eligibility of Mr. Evgeny Plushenko (RUS)
Based on evidence presented the Council has concluded that Mr. Evgeny Plushenko breached the ISU eligibility rule 102, paragraph 2, i) of the ISU General Regulations and as a consequence has become ineligible under paragraph 7 a) of that rule. The evidence has proved to the satisfaction of the Council that Mr. E. Plushenko, a skater and member of the Figure Skating Federation of Russia (FSFR), skated in exhibitions held in March and April 2010, in Russia and other countries, without the express prior authorization of the FSFR. Such activity is a breach of the ISU eligibility rules and results in the loss of eligibility

.

But Plushenko has recourse. He has 21 days to file an appeal if he so chooses with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. He must do this and win the appeal if he hopes to compete at an ISU event in the future. A similar situation occurred last season when Joannie Rochette performed on the show "Thin Ice," however, she obtained an exemption allowing her to keep her eligible status, Plushenko did not.

UPDATE: FSFR has released an official statement.

Pic of the Week

As we approach the World Figure Skating Championships, the one competitor I have serious questions about is this guy...Brian Joubert.

What in the world happened at the Olympics? It was like a terrible fall from grace that nobody wanted to see. I'll be the first to admit Joubert is not my 'cup of tea' but he does make a competition more exciting and was shocking to see him way down there (with Abbott too!) in 16th at the Olympics.

Yeeeeesh!

He blamed it on his personal life away from the rink, saying he was distracted and not himself.

He's seemed distracted and not himself all season. When he lost the French Masters waaaaaaaayyyyyy back at the beginning of the season to upstart Florent Amodio I smelled trouble. Poor showing at Eric Bompard Trophy, an untimely foot injury, a bad beat at Europeans from Plushenko and Lambiel, and then the Olympic fubar, has put his season, to this point, in the FAIL column. I don't think he can (or would want to) hang his season on NHK Trophy alone.

The French Federation was so worried they made him pass a test skate before they added him to the World Team.

I'm an optimist, I think he'll be in better shape at the World Championships. He's one of a dwindling list of competitors that can challenge Plushenko (if he can realistically be challenged at all) for the title. This will be the second time he will be in a position to bounce back after Olympic disappointment (he won the Silver at Worlds in 2006 after a poor showing in Torino)...can he do it again?

UPDATE: Perhaps Joubert is a Gold Medal Favorite afterall...Plushenko has withdrawn from Worlds.

The Pass List

Inevitably, after any Olympics, there is a swath of competitors who opt-out of the World Championships to follow. Here is the "Pass List" as it currently exists:

Evan Lysacek - The Olympic Champ is focusing on "Dancing with the Stars." Perhaps he can add a Mirror Ball Trophy to his illustrious collection. Replaced by Ryan Bradley.

Johnny Weir - I think just too much post-Olympic press and not enough preparation. Vowing to comeback next season...but he vowed to compete at World's too so...anyway. Replaced by Adam Rippon.

Shen and Zhao - Back into retirement for these two having won everything including that elusive Olympic Gold Medal. Sometimes it is a fairy-tale ending. Replaced by Dong and Wu.

Stéphane Lambiel - Like Shen and Zhao, he's opted to retire from eligible skating and will be on ABC's "Thin Ice" later this month. Replaced by Jamal Othman.

Belbin and Agosto - While they've made no formal announcement concerning the end of their competitive careers, prior to this season they said after these Olympics would be "it." They were vague about their future in post-Olympic Press but their withdrawal would seem to indicate they are moving ahead as planned. Replaced by Navarro and Bommentre.

UPDATE:
Domnina and Shabalin - We can add them to the pass list. They say they are resting and taking care of their health but it "isn't goodbye." Replaced by Rubleva and Shefer.

Who isn't on the pass list? The entire women's podium from Vancouver including Kim Yu-Na! (Scratch that...Joannie Rochette is taking a pass). Evgeny Plushenko will attempt to win another World Title, a feat he hasn't accomplished since 2004. Virtue and Moir are also slated to compete in an attempt to win their first World Title and complete a medal set (Silver in '08, Bronze in '09).

The Little Big One

Junior Worlds or "The Little Big One" as I like to call it is upon us. The event kicks off next week in The Hague, Netherlands.

It's actually one of my favorite competitions of the year. I love seeing all the young up-and-coming talent out there. I love to look at them and go "Oh, there's one to watch for the future!" I also love that the competition, like a lot of Junior events, is far less predictable. There tends to be more volatility in the standings making for an exciting event.

Upon returning from the Olympics I found out that Ross Miner and Ashley Wagner withdrew, one for injury and the other to just give one of said up-and-comers a shot (quite generous on Ashley's part I think).

Rather than having a clear set of predictions for Junior Worlds, I see one to beat, that person or teams biggest threat, followed by the remaining challengers. Who am I looking at?

Dance:
Team to Beat - Monko and Khaliavin (RUS)
Biggest Threat - Ilinykh and Katsalapov (RUS)
Other Challengers - Alessandrini and Vaturi (ITA), Pushkash and Guerreiro (RUS), Shibutani and Shibutani (USA)

Ladies:
One to Beat - Kanako Murakami (JPN)
Biggest Threat - Christina Gao (USA)
Other Challengers - Anna Ovcharova (RUS), Polina Shelpen (RUS), Kiri Baga (USA)

Men:
One to Beat - Denis Ten (KAZ)
Biggest Threat - Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)
Other Challengers - Nan Song (CHN), Kento Nakamura (JPN), Artur Gachinski (RUS), Grant Hochstein (USA), Armin Mahbanoozadeh (USA)

Pairs:
Team to Beat - Sui and Han (CHN)
Biggest Threat - Takahashi and Tran (JPN)
Other Challengers - Hole and Johnson (CAN), Zhang and Wang (CHN), Simpson and Miller (USA), Zhang and Toth (USA)

Interesting week ahead...

UPDATE:

A look back at Day One...

An Open Letter to Mr. Boris Chait, President IISF and Israel Olympic Committee

Dear Mr. Boris Chait and the Israeli Olympic Committee,

It has recently come to my attention as well as many other friends and fans of figure skating that Tamar Katz, a wonderful athlete that represents the Israel Ice Skating Federation so well, has been denied the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream...a chance to compete in the Winter Olympics.

As a fan of figure skating, as fan of sport, and as a citizen of the world, I ask that you please not deny Tamar this chance. She successfully earned a berth for Israel at this season's Nebelhorn Trophy, meeting the ISU qualifications for obtaining a berth, why would you deny her that opportunity?

I say if you aren't pleased with her recent performance at the European Championships, let her go to the Olympics and allow her to prove she can do better. Let another flag for Israel wave in the opening ceremonies. Let another dream come true. Giving Tamar this chance costs you nothing but a breath of air to say "yes." In saying yes, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I can think of no reason why you would deny her this chance.

Amazing stories of triumph, perseverance, struggle, defeat, and victory will be told in Vancouver. I implore you, allow Tamar's story to be among those told. President Chait, your motto is "the sun never sets on my desk." Please don't let the sun set on Tamar's dream.

With hope that you will allow Tamar to compete,

Aaron @ Axels, Loops, and Spins.

UPDATE: Tamar's story is being featured in the New York Times.

In other Johnny Weir news...

This isn't a blog solely dedicated to Johnny Weir, I swear. He is, however, commanding several news headlines currently.

Johnny Weir is being asked by Friends of Animals, an international animal advocacy group founded in 1957, to ditch the fur!

Friends of Animals President Priscilla Feral slams Weir's love-affair with fur, stating, "Please consider that there's nothing pretty about the fox that suffered and died to trim your outfit. The beautiful fox was likely anally electrocuted, or may have had its head bashed in, only to serve as decoration for someones performance."

I've posted the letter in it's entirety below...I'm not taking a position on this particular issue but feel free to add your two-cents in the comments...

Dear Johnny Weir,

A recent New York Times article discussed your quest for the gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics.

The author mentioned your outfit had a “touch of fox” on the shoulders, and, despite your third place showing at the United States Figure Skating Championships on Sunday, you thought your outfit “looked pretty.”

Please consider that there’s nothing pretty about the fox that suffered and died to trim your outfit. The beautiful fox was likely anally electrocuted, or may have had its head bashed in, only to serve as decoration for someone’s performance.

If you buy fur, no matter what size piece, or which animal it comes from, you’re supporting an industry that has no respect for animals.

You say that you want to bring an “artistic style” to the Olympics, stating that “everyone can do jumps.” But, as past Olympic champions have shown us, style isn’t everything. In addition to skill, you must also have a sense of decorum in order to bring home the gold. And projecting a conscientious view of the planet’s animals is a starting point.

While you may believe that wearing fur is a “personal choice,” kindly know that the animals you wear had no such choice. The fur doesn’t magically slide off these beautiful beings. Their nightmare begins in the cramped cages they spend their lives in, where they are forced to lay in their own feces, and ends with first cut in their anuses. Or maybe some animals you wear were caught in leghold traps, and struggled in vain to gnaw off their legs? Either way, there is nothing glamorous or pretty about the cruelty they endured. And it can’t be morally justified either.

Friends of Animals urges you, for the sake of humanity, your Olympic ambitions and the hopes of all Americans this winter, to stop wearing the skins of animals. Instead, wow the judges with amazing performances. In the end, nobody cares what a figure skater wears. You will only be judged on your performance and the strength of your character.

Priscilla Feral
President of Friends of Animals

UPDATE: Here is a link to an Ice Network story...apparently Johnny is changing the fox fur to faux fur for the Olympics.

Sad News...

There is still a lot unknown about this story yet so I'll stick to what we do know...

Nancy Kerrigan's father Daniel Kerrigan has passed away. He was found at his Stoneham, Massachussetts home after a 911 call reporting a 'sudden death.' Daniel's wife Brenda believed he died of a heart attack.

Simultaneously, Nancy's brother Mark, was taken to the hospital with injuries and later taken to Stoneham Police Department for questioning. Mark has been arrested in connection with the suspicious death of Daniel. Although the details of the connection are not yet known. Police have said that Mark is to be arraigned later Monday on charges of assault and battery on an elderly person.

Sad news indeed...

Memorials can be made in Daniel Kerrigan's name to:

Special Olympics Mass Chapter
Yawkey Sports Training Center
512 Forest St.
Marlborough, MA 01752

UPDATE: More details are emerging about the incident as it concerns Mark Kerrigan. Agence France-Presse writes:

Mark Kerrigan, 45, was found in the basement of the house, according to a police report that described him as "belligerent and combative" when police tried to question him, eventually needing pepper spray to be subdued.

"Kerrigan appeared intoxicated but appeared coherent in understanding questions and answering them," the report said.

Police said Mark Kerrigan said he struggled with his father and put his hands around his father's neck after not being allowed to use the telephone. Kerrigan said his father fell to the floor but that he felt his dad was "faking it", according to the report.

Blood was found on the floor as well as other signs of a scuffle, police said.

Kerrigan was ordered held on 10,000-dollars bail after a hearing in Woburn District Court in which Mark never spoke but once broke into tears.

"He and his father had a violent argument and struggle at the home and Daniel Kerrigan either fell or collapsed on the kitchen floor," Middlesex County assistant district attorney Elizabeth Healey said.

Mark Kerrigan has entered a plea of not guilty.

U.S. Nationals (Day Nine)

Scheduled Events for Today:

Senior Free Dance
Senior Ladies Free Skate

Check this post for results and musings. NBC will be showing the final two groups of both the Senior Free Dance and the Senior Ladies Free Skate live. Check your local listings. I may be tweeting during the Senior Free Dance and will definitely be tweeting during the Senior Ladies Free Skate at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern). You can follow me on Twitter @skating102.

Free Dance just wrapped and Meryl Davis and Charlie White have successfully defended their National Title...this time competing against Belbin and Agosto. Tanith and Ben started the final group off strong with a powerful performance to Ave Maria. They seemed a bit slow at times but really connected with the music. They went on to post their highest total score this season. But there was little they could do as Meryl and Charlie took the ice and skated with no inhibitions and complete abandon. Easily skating the best Free Dance of any team this season (sorry Canadian Fans...even better than Tessa and Scott!), the wooshed past Belbin and Agosto and took the title easily even with a deduction (can't figure out what that was for?). Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates claimed the bronze and likely the final Olympic berth. Navarro and Bommentre were 4th and Chcok and Zuerlein 5th. As soon as the Olympic Team selection is official I will post.

UPDATE: It's official. Davis and White, Belbin and Agosto, and Samuelson and Bates have been named to the U.S. Olympic Team.

Ladies free just wrapped and what a wild ride! Your 2010 National Champ is...Rachael Flatt! I tweeted she managed to avoid the three times a bridesmaid jinx and win. Rachael had a very solid skate that included a muscled triple flip-triple toe combo. It was smooth sailing from that point on. The first of the top four ladies to skate was Ashley Wagner who also had a tremendous free skate. She two footed a couple jumps but attacked and gained strength as the program progressed. Her score went up and it was a big number to beat. Sasha Cohen's short program was a jolt to Figure Skating that was much needed. We all held our breath as she prepared for her free skate and wondered if she could equal her performance from Thursday. It was a tough program to watch. Sasha struggled on the majority of her jumps and it culminated with a fall on her triple flip in the second half of the program. Her artistry is unmatched and she finished fourth here, simply happy to have come back and skated at Nationals one last time. Mirai Nagasu was the final skater and turned in an amazing performance. Most thought she would easily take the title but upon close review of her jumps she got those pesky downgrades on three jumps causing her to miss the title. Still she finished second, with Wagner (who was second in the free) taking the bronze. Again once they selected the Olympic Team I'll update the post...an announcement is expected at any moment...

UPDATE: U.S. Figure Skating has named Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu to the U.S. Olympic Team.

U.S. Nationals (Day Eight)

Scheduled Events for Today:

Junior Ladies Free Skate
Senior Original Dance

Check this post for results and musings. I'll be tweeting during the Senior Original Dance at 9:00 p.m. (Eastern). You can follow me on Twitter @skating102.

The Junior Ladies wrapped up their competition today and Agnes Zawadzki took the title after a great performance. In second was Yasmin Saraj and Lindsay Davis took the bronze.

In Ice Dance, the Senior OD wrapped setting up a great Free Dance. Meryl Davis and Charlie White managed to keep and slightly extend their lead over Belbin and Agosto. Still, less than two points seperate the two teams. Samuelson and Bates moved into third with an amazing performance set to a Dixie Chicks Medley. Navarro and Bommentre are in 4th but just under two points back. Chock and Zuerlein round out the top 5.

U.S. Nationals (Day Seven)

Scheduled Events for Today:

Senior Compulsory Dance
Junior Free Dance
Senior Ladies Short Program

Check this post for results and musings. I'll be tweeting during the Senior Ladies Short Program at 10:30 p.m. (Eastern). You can follow me on Twitter @skating102.

The Senior Compulsory Dance is over and is it close! Two battles shaping up. The Gold Medal battle between Davis and White who lead Belbin and Agosto by a mere .4 points! Then there is a battle for bronze as Navarro and Bommentre lead Samuelson and Bates by an even skinnier .24. I know, right!

The Junior Free Dance competition wrapped with no surprise, Shibutani and Shibutani nabbing the win (by 20 points!). Tibbetts abd Brubaker took the silver and Gilles and Donahue won the bronze.

The Senior Ladies Short is over and what a humdinger! The full results are here and you can read my thoughts in the flash above!

U.S. Nationals (Day Six)

Scheduled Events for Today:

Novice Free Dance
Junior Ladies Short Program
Junior Original Dance

Check this post for results and musings.

Alexandra Aldridge and Daniel Eaton are your 2010 National Novice Champs despite having a rather up and down competition. Nonetheless, the prevailed. Pham and Pham took the silver while Yang and Baker won bronze.

Maia and Alex Shibutani continue to have a commanding lead over the field after the Original Dance. Tibbetts and Brubaker remain second while Gilles and Donohue have moved up into third.

The Junior Ladies took the ice for their short program. Agnes Zawadzki skated a great program which included a beautiful lutz and flip to lead the competition. Behind her is favored Kiri Baga in second and Angela Wang in third.

U.S. Nationals (Day Five)

Scheduled Events for Today:

Novice Compulsory Dance
Novice Ladies Free Skate
Junior Compulsory Dance

Check this post for results and musings.

After the Novice Compulsory Dance, Pham and Pham lead. Leah Keiser took the Novice Ladies competition. Ashley Cain was second and Katarina Kulgeyko was third. In the Junior Dance competition, Shibutani and Shibutani lead Tibbetts and Brubaker and Cannuscio and Lorello.