Five Things to Watch at the US Figure Skating Championships
It has been 16 years since the U.S. figure skating championships were in San Jose, Calif., a historic event in which hometown star Rudy Galindo was crowned men's champion. This year's championships open Thursday with senior-level competition at HP Pavilion. What are the big stories for 2012?
1. Ice dancing, the "it" event. The United States is currently the dominant force in ice dancing, which quickly has become one of the sport's most popular events. This is a high-caliber field featuring current world champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White and world bronze medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani dueling for the national title. Davis and White, the first Americans to win the world title, head into this competition having won nine straight events and were undefeated in the 2010-11 season. They will be the overwhelming favorites of both the crowd and the judges. The Shibutanis train on the same ice as and are close friends with Davis and White.
2. A champions duel. The ladies' field is littered with former national champions, as the past three have returned to compete here. Alissa Czisny, whom some thought would retire after last season, won the U.S. title in 2009 and 2011. Rachael Flatt, who is settling into her second quarter as a full-time student at Stanford, won the 2010 national title. Mirai Nagasu, now 18, won the 2008 championship when she was 14 and finished fourth in the Vancouver Olympics. But it is widely regarded that Nagasu hasn't skated to her potential. Could the title be decided among the three veterans? Or is it time for Ashley Wagner, who has proved to be a very talented, if streaky, skater (third and fourth place in Grand Prix events this year)? Leah Keiser could be a surprise medalist after turning in strong scores in qualifying events. She is just 14.
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