Alexe Gilles joins Figure Skaters Online

May 2, 2008 — Alexe Gilles, the 2008 U.S. Champion in the junior ladies event, is proud to open her official Web site at Figure Skaters Online.

Gilles made her junior international debut by winning the silver medal at the 2007 International Challenge Cup in the spring. In the fall, she competed on the Junior Grand Prix, placing second in Lake Placid, fourth in Croatia and sixth at the Final before winning her first national title.

The Colorado Springs, Colo., native previously placed fifth in junior ladies at the 2007 U.S. Championships and sixth at the 2006 U.S. Championships in novice ladies.

Fans of Gilles, who represents the The Broadmoor Skating Club, can visit her official site at figureskatersonline.com/alexegilles/. Her site includes news, personal snapshots and more.

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Brittney Rizo joins Figure Skaters Online

April 22, 2008 — Following her gold medal at in the junior event at the AEGON Challenge Cup, current U.S. Junior Ladies bronze medalist Brittney Rizo is proud to open her official Web site at Figure Skaters Online.

Earlier this season, Rizo won the junior event at the New England Regional Championship. She then went on to win the silver medal at the Eastern Sectional Championships before placing third at the national championships.

Previously, she placed 12th in the junior ladies event at the 2007 U.S. Championships. Rizo is also the 2006 U.S. Novice Ladies bronze medalist.

Fans of the The Skating Club of Boston skater can visit her official site at figureskatersonline.com/brittneyrizo/. Her site includes news, personal snapshots from the AEGON Challenge Cup and more.

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Lysacek leads the way for Team North America at the Japan Open

April 20, 2008 — The disapointing injury that kept two-time U.S. Champion Evan Lysacek out of the World Championships, held last month in Sweden, proved to be a motivating factor in a fearless performance today at the Japan Open team event.

"I'm glad I could end the season on a high note," he said.

Lysacek lead the way for the third-place Team North America (481.81) in Saitama City, Japan, by taking the men's competition with 151.95 points. He started his Tosca program with a triple lutz-triple toe combination valued at 11.67 points, which was the highest score awarded for a combination during the event.

Lysacek also landed a triple axel-double toe, triple loop, triple Salchow, triple flip, triple flip-double toe-double loop, triple lutz and a double axel in addition to level three and four footwork and spins. Both flips received an edge deduction but that was not enough for him to relinquish his lead over two-time World Champion Stephane Lambiel (146.49).

In the ladies competition, newly crowed World Champion Mao Asada wowed the crowd in her home country by coming in first place with 128.03. Team Europe's Sarah Meier (123.11) edged out Japan's Yukari Nakano (121.86) for second place.

Former World Champion Kimmie Meissner finished fourth with 109.50 while newly crowed U.S. Champion Mirai Nagasu (108.42) also the World Junior Championship bronze medalist, finished fifth.

Team Japan won the competition with 491.82 points. Also over the North Americans, which included 1996 World Champion Todd Eldredge, in the three team competition was Team Europe with 488.45.

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Weir wins the only World Championship medal, a bronze, for Team USA

March 21, 2008 — Three-time national champion Johnny Weir ended the World Championships on a high note for Team USA by winning a bronze medal, the American's only podium finish at the competition in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Despite a fifth place finish in what he called a tentative free skate, Weir's 221.84 points helped him secure his first World medal. The gold went to Canada's Jeffrey Buttle (245.17) while last year's champion Brian Joubert of France was second with 231.22.

"That wasn't the performance of my dreams," said Weir, who was eighth at the World Championships last year. "I left some points on the table. This new system, it just kills you with the points."

He opened his Love is War free skate with an attempt at a quadruple toe. While Weir landed the jump, it was downgraded to a triple. He also received an edge deduction on his triple flip for the second time in Sweden.

Weir's 141.05 program also included a triple axel, a triple lutz, a triple axel-double toe combination, a triple Salchow, a triple loop and a triple lutz-double toe, along with his trademark spins.

Stephen Carriere finished 10th in his first appearance at the World Championship with 201.69 total points. A last minute replacement for the injured U.S. Champion Evan Lysacek, Jeremy Abbott (197.26) finished 11th in his debut.

Carriere started his free skate with a triple axel-double toe combination. Then, he went on to perform a triple toe-double toe-double toe, a triple flip, triple axel and triple Salchow-double toe. But after falling on his second triple lutz, he also put his hand down on the triple loop.

Abbott earned 131.65 points for his 10th place free skate. In his program, he landed a quadruple toe, a triple lutz, double axel, triple lutz-triple toe-double toe combination and triple loop. He also had a fall out on his triple axel, a fall on his second triple axel and a fall on his triple toe.

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Johnny Weir delivers in Sweden with a second place short program

March 21, 2008 — Three time U.S. Champion Johnny Weir is currently in second place after an 80.79 point performance in the short program at the World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.

"I just felt so comfortable out there," Weir said. Skating to Yunona I Avos, he landed a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, then hit a triple Axel and triple flip.

"I'm so happy with my performance today," he said. "I hope I can continue to feel this comfortable on the ice in the long program. U.S. Nationals was so difficult emotionally and physically for me that I decided it would be better to stay home, not compete in the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, rest and really prepare well for worlds. So far, I think it was the right decision and that it has paid off."

His only mistake was an edge deduction on the flip.

Canadian Jeffrey Buttle, the Olympic bronze medalist, leads the competition after scoring 82.10 for a performance highlighted by a suburb triple axel. The 2007 World silver medalist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan is currently in third place with 80.40.

American bronze medalist Stephen Carriere (68.20) finished 11th in the short program. In his first performance at the World Championships, he performed a triple axel with a hand down on the landing. He also landed a triple lutz-triple toe to the music of Stairway to Heaven.

Jeremy Abbott is in 14th place after scoring 65.61 points. He opened his program with a quadruple toe-double toe combination before popping his planned triple axel. Abbott then ended with footwork into a triple Lutz and another footwork sequence to Santana's Treat.

In the ice dancing competition, France's Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder (212.94) took home the gold medal after winning the compulsory dance, original dance and placing second in the free skate. They finished ahead of Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (208.80), who were first in the free dance, and Russians Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski (203.26).

Unable to overcome a costly fall in the compulsory dance, five-time U.S. Champions Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto finished without a medal for the first time since winning the silver at the 2005 World Championships. They placed fourth overall with 203.00.

"It was hard to get our heads back into it after that fall in the compulsory," Agosto said. "But we had a great original and free dance, and it's just another experience for us."

Meryl Davis and Charlie White moved up one spot from last year's World debut. They finished sixth with 191.19 after placing seventh in the compulsory, seventh in the original and sixth free while competing in Sweden.

Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre were 12th with 165.90.

"We're ready to go home and start training for next season," Bommentre added. "We're thinking about ways we can grow on -- and off-the ice. We're coming off a great competition here and we're on a roll."

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Beatrisa Liang cracks top 10 in World Championship debut

March 20, 2008 — Former U.S. pewter medalist Beatrisa Liang placed 10th in her World Championship debut at the event in Gothenburg, Sweden, with 145.29 total points for her effort.

In her 92.48 point performance to the Yellow River Concerto, Liang started with a triple lutz that received an edge deduction in combination with a double toe. She landed a triple toe as well as double axel-double toe-double loop. But Liang fell on her second triple lutz, which also received an edge deduction, and also fell on her triple flip, which was downgraded to a double.

"I guess the thing is in competitions like this is to take my time, and just enjoy every step of the program," said Liang, who was 13th in the free skating portion of the event. "I think I can definitely take that to the next level. I don't really think about what is expected of me. I just try to do my best."

Ashley Wagner (137.40) placed 16th overall after completing only one clear triple in her tango free skate. She took the ice earlier than planned because 2007 World Champion Miki Ando, who skated before Wagner, withdrew from the competition after falling on the opening two jumps in her program.

"I think that is a mixture of me being overly excited, and let myself breath. I'm not going to blame my skate on anything but me," Wagner said. "I learned some good lessons here."

American Kimmie Meissner finished seventh with 149.74 points. The gold, silver and bronze went to Japan's Mao Asada (185.56), Italy's Carolina Kostner (184.68) and Yu-Na Kim (183.23), who pulled up after a fifth place short program by winning the free skate.

In the original dance, Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France finished first with 67.25. Russians Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski (65.99) were second with Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (64.81) placing third in the second portion of the competition.

Five-time U.S. Champions Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, the Olympic silver medalists, were fourth with 64.69. In seventh, Meryl Davis and Charlie White (60.36) followed by American teammates Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre (52.10) in 12th place.

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Liang, Wagner finish 10th and 11th in World Championship short program

March 19, 2008 — In their first World Championship appearances, Beatrisa Liang and Ashley Wagner finished 10th and 11th in the short program at the world competition in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Liang (52.81 points) finished close behind ninth-place American Kimmie Meissner who enters the free skate with 57.25. In her program to Sorcerer's Apprentice, Liang performed a triple lutz-double toe combination to set the pace. She went on to nail a triple flip and double axel.

Ashley Wagner (51.49) performed a triple lutz-double loop combination to start her King Henry VIII short program. The U.S. Championship bronze medalist also performed a back spiral into a double axel as well as a triple flip.

"I felt really good about my performance," Wagner said. "It was a tad on the cautious side, but other than that, I skated everything to the best that I could do, so I was pleased with that."

The competition is led by 2005 World Championship bronze medalist Carolina Kostner of Italy. She earned 64.28 points for a slim lead over last year's World silver medalist from Japan Mao Asada (64.10). Japan's Yukari Nakano is third with 61.10.

In the pairs competition, 2007 U.S. Champions Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski met their goal of bettering their 12th place finish from last year. The current American bronze medalists, who sat out most of the season because of Castile's injuries, placed 11th with 146.03 total points.

"I don't think we've had enough experience to compete well against all of these top-level teams, so this event was valuable," Okolski said. "We'll be more comfortable next time."

The pair started their Sheherazade free skate, which put them in 11th for that portion of the competition with 96.44, with a triple twist before going on to land a throw triple Salchow. Like the short program, Castile singled planned side-by-side double axels before they landed side-by-side double-double combinations. Castile and Okolski also landed a throw triple loop.

"We made a lot of little mistakes on stuff we don't ever miss in practice," Castile said. "This is important experience for us. We've only ever done one senior Grand Prix season, and going all out, fighting and completing this season will help us in the future."

The first World Championship gold medals handed out at the event went to German pair Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy (202.86). In second and third, China's Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang (197.82) and Canada's Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison (192.78).

Americans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin were 10th with 157.20.

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Castile, Okolski in 12th after World Championship short program

March 18, 2008 — Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski, U.S. Championship bronze medalists, are in 12th place after the short program at the World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. The pair finished with 49.59 points.

In their performance to "L'Arena" by Ennio Morricone, which is featured on the movie soundtrack for Kill Bill Volume 2, Castile and Okolski started with a signature triple twist but later struggled on other elements. Castile put her hand down on the throw triple Salchow before singling the planned side-by-side double Axels.

"It was definitely the worst short we've done all year," she said. "I don't feel we're the most prepared for this competition so, for me, it's a huge let down. I'm not very happy."

Castile has been injured since the beginning of the season. After withdrawing from three international events in the fall, the season debut for the pair came at the national championships in January.

"My whole left side basically from my back down is injured," Castile said. "It shouldn't affect me but the experience of competition is lacking. It's not really here this season. My jumps aren't as good as they should be right now."

China’s Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang lead the short program with 74.36. Last year, the pair finished fifth at the World Championships after winning the silver medal at the 2006 Olympics and Worlds.

German pair Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy  are currently second with 72.00. In third, Russia’s Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov (71.4) while American’s Rena Inoue and John Baldwin are 10th with 53.83.

Savchenko and Szolkowy beat Zhang and Zhang at the Grand Prix final in December. But it was the Chinese team taking the lead in the short program with a gorgeous triple twist and a difficult overhead lift.

"This is the second time leading after for short program, and we are very happy about that," Hao said. "We hope that we can do even better (Wednesday). "

In the ice dancing competition, Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France are leading after scoring 40.73 in the compulsory dance. The pair leads Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (38.71) and Russians Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski (37.98).

Five-time U.S. Champions Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto are currently in fifth place after an uncharacteristic fall. In the final pattern of the "Argentine Tango" compulsory, Belbin fell on a turn, bringing their score to 35.02 points, including the mandatory one-point deduction for the fall.

"We're just going to have to do what we always do, skate a strong original dance, a strong free dance, " Agosto said. "I think our programs this year are the strongest we've ever had and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the competition."

U.S. silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White are seventh with 34.80. Despite breaking in new skates and wearing store bought pants because of missing luggage, which had Brent Bommentre’s skates and costumes, Kimberly Navarro and Bommentre placed 12th with 31.48.

"My stuff is not here, and I don't think it's coming," Bommentre said.

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Johnny Weir aims for first World Championship win in Sweden

March 17, 2008 — With the World Championships set to begin Tuesday in Gothenburg, Sweden, three-time U.S. Champion Johnny Weir, the current national silver medalist, has his eyes set on the World gold medal.

"I can of course see myself as the world champion, because what's the point of going to the competition if you don't think you can win it," Weir said in a teleconference. "I've had a strong season so far, and I'm hoping to finish it on a high note and show everyone what just one year of hard work can do for you."

Weir started the season by leading the American team to a win at the International Counter Match in Japan. On the Grand Prix, he won both Cup of China and Cup of Russia before finishing fifth at the Grand Prix Final.

Weir leads the American team in Sweden after two-time World bronze medalist Evan Lysacek, who won bronze at February's Four Continents Championship, withdrew Wednesday night because of an arm, elbow and shoulder injury sustained in a practice session. Joining Weir on Team USA are Jeremy Abbott and Stephen Carriere.

Last year's World Junior Champion Carriere, third at nationals, is competing at Worlds for the first time. The 2006 Junior Grand Prix Champion opened his season with a fourth place finish at Skate America before taking the bronze medal at NHK Trophy. He placed fourth at Four Continents.

Abbott is also making his World debut this year. He opened his season with a team win at the International Counter Match. Next, he was eighth at Skate Canada before improving to fourth at the NHK Trophy. Abbott placed fifth overall at Four Continents despite a fourth place free skate.

International competitors include World silver medalist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan. This season, Takahashi finished first at Skate America, first at NHK Trophy, second at the Grand Prix Final and first at Four Continents, where he set the highest point total ever for the event.

Olympic silver medalist Stephen Lambiel, the Grand Prix Champion, and bronze medalist Jeffery Buttle, Canada's silver medalist, are also competing in Sweden. Defending World Champion Brian Joubert of France is competing for the first time internationally since winning bronze at the European Championships.

In the ladies competition, Beatrisa Liang and Ashley Wagner are making their World debut.

Wagner comes into the event as the 2008 U.S. Championship bronze medalist. In her first season on the senior international circuit, Wagner finished eighth at Four Continents after finishing eighth at Skate Canada, her first Grand Prix, and third at Trophee Eric Bompard. She also finished third at the 2007 World Junior Championships.

Liang, fifth at the national championships, placed 11th overall at Four Continents with a fifth place short program and 11th place free skate. She also finished sixth at Cup of China and eighth at Cup of Russia earlier this season. At the 2006 Four Continents, Liang won the bronze medal.

Fellow American Kimmie Meissner is attempting to make the World podium for the first time since winning the 2006 World Championship. She won Skate America, beating 2007 World Champion Miki Ando, and placed second at Trophee Eric Bompard this season.

But after finishing a disappointing seventh at the U.S. Championships, which followed a last place finish at December's Grand Prix Final, Meissner moved from her parents home in Bel Air, Maryland, to train with coach Richard Callaghan in Florida.

"Obviously I haven't had the best couple of competitions. I'm just trying to work on getting my confidence level back up and really feeling consistent with my jumps and program," Meissner said in a teleconference.

International competitors include current World Champion and Miki Ando, World silver medalist Mao Asada, the Four Continents Champion, and World bronze medalist Yu-Na Kim, who withdrew from Four Continents because of a back injury. Joannie Rochette is also competing after beating Ando for the Four Continents silver medal.

In the pairs competition, U.S. and Four Continents bronze medalists Brooke Castile and Benjamin Okolski are making only their second international appearance of the season, after an injury to Castile's ankle forced them to withdraw from both their events in the Grand Prix series. The 2007 U.S. Champions placed 12th in their first World Championships last year.

Team USA also features two-time national champions and current silver medalists Rena Inoue and John Baldwin, who are competing internationally for the first time this season. The team won five medals last season including Four Continents bronze but were eighth at Worlds.

The ice dancing competition is headlined by three-time World medalists Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, who are competing to become the first World ice dancing champions from the United States. Olympic silver medalists Belbin and Agosto were first at Skate America, first at Cup of China and second at the Grand Prix Final this season before winning nationals.

Trophee Eric Bompard bronze medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White, the national silver medalists, are looking to improve on their seventh place finish at the 2007 World Championships. At the Four Continents Championship, they won the silver medal.

U.S. bronze medalists Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre are making their World debut after finishing a spot behind Davis and White at Four Continents. The also placed sixth at Skate America and NHK Trophy this season.

International competitors include Four Continents Champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who were fourth at the Grand Prix Final. Grand Prix Final bronze medalists Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France are also competing.

The World Championships start Tuesday with the compulsory dance and the start of the pairs event, which concludes with the free skate Wednesday. The ladies short program is Wednesday. On Thursday, the ladies competition wraps up while the ice dancers compete in the original dance. Friday is the free dance along with the start of the men's event, which concludes Saturday.

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Injured Lysacek replaced by Abbott at World Championships

March 13, 2008 — Two-time World bronze medalist Evan Lysacek withdrew from the 2008 World Championships, taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden, March 17-23. Lysacek will be replaced by 2005 U.S. Junior Men's Champion Jeremy Abbott.

Lysacek fell Wednesday during training at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, Calif., where he was practicing with Frank Carroll for the upcoming World event. The blade on his right skate broke at the weld while landing a triple Axel.

"I've been through three blades in the past three days," said Lysacek, who finished fifth at the World Championships last year. "Obviously, something isn't right."

After going to the emergency room, Lysacek learned the fall caused a sprained rotator cuff and sprained ligaments in his left forearm, elbow and shoulder. "I got a bunch of X-rays and, thankfully, nothing's broken," Lysacek said.

Lysacek is wearing a soft cast and will be in a sling for about a week. Doctors have recommended that he refrain from attempting any jumps or spins for the next two weeks, an order that will prevent him from competing at his fourth straight World Championship.

Abbott will make his World Championship debut in Sweden. He finished fourth at the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and fifth at the Four Continents Championships, where he replaced U.S. silver medalist Johnny Weir.

"I wish Jeremy the best of luck," Lysacek said. "I'm obviously disappointed that I won't be there. I've been skating very well, and I really felt like the momentum was building. I'm going to continue to train as hard as I can, work to get this equipment issue straightened out, and return strong for next season."

Abbott learned that he would compete at his first World event on Wednesday evening. "I feel terrible that it had to happen this way, and Evan had to get injured for me to go. But I am very, very excited that I get this opportunity," Abbott said.

His family issued a statement on the Web site for Pigs Can Fly, which is a fan club the family started for Abbott after he said "stranger things could happen, pigs could fly" before becoming the 2005 U.S. Junior Men's Champion.

"All of us have known Evan since he won Juvenile at the 1996 Junior Olympics," the family said. "We have tremendous respect for his talent and all the dedication he has put into the sport. He is a competitor through and through; this must be devastating for him. Our family extends our best wishes for a speedy recovery so Evan can begin getting ready for the 2009 season."

The 2008 World Championships begin Tuesday, March 18 at the Scandinavium Arena with the compulsory dance and pairs short program. The competition concludes Saturday, March 22 with the men's free skate.

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Wagner finishes eighth in Four Continents debut

February 16, 2008 — After a 12th place performance in the short program, U.S. bronze medalist Ashley Wagner finished fifth in the free skate to take eighth overall at the Four Continents Championship in Goyang, Korea, with 152.46 total points.

"This was really great for letting me know how I'll do at worlds," Wagner said. "My short program was a good reminder that you can have the jumps, but there's still a lot of other things that I need to focus on. I'm going to go home and work on that so when I go to worlds, my short program has everything in it — the total package."

Wagner started her program with a triple lutz-triple loop combination although the second jump was downgraded to a double. She went on to land a double axel, triple Salchow, triple loop-double loop, triple flip-double loop-double loop, triple toe and triple lutz.

With first place finishes in the short program and free skate, Japan's Mao Asada won the championship with 193.25 points. The silver medal went to Joannie Rochette (179.54) while World Japan Miki Ando (177.66) claimed the bronze medal.

Katrina Hacker made her senior international debut with a sixth place finish. In her program, she landed a triple toe-double toe-double loop combination, triple lutz-double toe, triple loop, triple toe and triple Salchow. Hacker ended with a double axel and double axel-double toe.

Beatrisa Liang finished 11th overall. She started her free skate with a triple lutz-double toe combination and a triple flip before singling a planned triple loop. She also landed a double lutz, fell on her triple toe, landed a triple flip-double toe and fell on her double axel.

"I think maybe after the first mistake, I was trying to get myself back together," said Liang, who was fifth in the short program. "It's all about putting that away and going on to the next jump."

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Lysacek leads American's 3-4-5 finish at Four Continents

February 15, 2008 — Evan Lysacek skated to a bronze medal at the Four Continents Championship in Goyang, Korea, with a personal best 233.11 total points. Stephen Carriere (218.30) and Jeremy Abbott (206.40) finished fourth and fifth.

Champion Daisuke Takahashi, the World Championship silver medalist from Japan, broke the competition record by eight points with an almost flawless performance. He scored 264.41 to come in ahead of Canada’s Jeffrey Buttle (234.02).

Lysacek started his Tosca free skate with a fall on his quadruple toe. But he recovered to land a triple loop and a triple Salchow. He also put his hand down on his second triple Axel before landing a triple flip-triple toe, triple lutz and ended with a double axel.

"It was pretty bad,'' said Lysacek, who won the competition last season."I've been training pretty well and it was much below what I've been doing in training. At least it can't get much worse for the worlds.''

Carriere opened his personal best program (144.22) by singling his planned opening triple axel. He then went on to land six triple jumps including a triple Axel-double toe combination and then a triple toe-double toe-double toe.

Abbott bounced back from a lackluster short program to finish fourth in the free skate with 149.05, which put him ahead of U.S bronze medalist Carriere in that portion of the competition. He started his program with a quadruple toe. Then, he went on to land a triple axel, a triple flip, a double axel and a double axel-triple toe combination, with a fallout on the toe.

The two-time U.S. pewter medalist also landed a single lutz-triple toe, a triple loop and ended his jumping passes with a triple Salchow-double toe. He ended with a death drop and a sit spin.

"It's probably the last time I'm going to do that program and to end it the way it did," Abbott said. "I'm just very pleased.  I felt that I really stayed in the program the whole time.  I mean, I had mistakes, but I really felt that it couldn't have gone any better.  I did exactly what I came here to do and I'm proud of what I did."

In ice dancing, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada took the gold after sweeping all three phases of the competition. Americans captured the silver and bronze — Meryl Davis and Charlie White out skated Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre.

Jennifer Wester and Daniil Barantsev finished fourth.

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Castile, Okolski capture bronze at Four Continents

February 14, 2008 — Former U.S. Champions Brooke Castile and Benjamin Okolski won the bronze medal at the Four Continents Championships in Goyang, Korea, with 159.99 points.

It's their first medal from an International Skating Union event. Previously, the reigning national bronze medalists placed fifth at 2007 Four Continents and seventh at 2005 Four Continents, their best finishes in ISU events.

In their 103.55 point free skate to Sheherazade, Castile and Okolski started with a huge triple twist and a throw triple Salchow. Castile singled their side-by-side double Axels, for the second time in Korea, but the pair went on to land side-by-side double flip-double toe combinations and a throw triple loop.

"It was a mediocre skate but we are pleased to be third," said Castile, who was sidelined by injuries during the Grand Prix season. Four Continents was only the second event of the season for the pair.

The title went to former World Champions Qing Pang and Jian Tong (187.33). They edged out country mates Olympic silver medalists Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang (181.84) despite trailing after the short program.

U.S. silver medalists Rena Inoue and John Baldwin (156.00) dropped from third to fourth in their first international competition since last year’s World Championships. American pewter medalists Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent (134.41) ended their season with an eighth place finish. Vise fell on both the throw quadruple Salchow and the throw triple loop.

After the ladies short program, former Four Continents bronze medalist Beatrisa Liang (54.05) finished in fifth place to lead the American squad. Katrina Hacker is 10th with 49.86 while Ashley Wagner is 12th with 47.29.

Liang started with triple lutz-double combination but fell on the backend of the combo. She then went on to land both a triple flip and double Axel in her The Sorceror's Apprentice program.

"I felt really good," said Liang, who was fifth at the national championships. "Except for a minor mistake on my combination, I was really proud of myself."

World Junior Championship bronze medalist Wagner, who also won bronze at nationals, had a double lutz-double loop counted for her combination. She also landed a double axel and triple flip.

Japan's World silver medalist Mao Asada leads Four Continents with 60.94 points. In second, her country mate World Champion Miki Ando (60.07) with four-time Canadian Champion Joannie Rochette is third with 60.04.

After two phases of the ice dancing competition, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are currently in first place with 103.24 points. The Canadian national champions won both the compulsory and original dances to secure the lead over American silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White (99.29).

U.S. bronze medalists Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre are in third place while national fifth place finishers Jennifer Wester and Daniil Barantsev are currently in fourth place.

The Four Continents Championships continues Friday with the free dance and men’s free skate. The competition concludes Saturday with the ladies free skate.

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Lysacek second, Carriere fourth after men's short in Korea

February 13, 2008 — Two-time U.S .Champion Evan Lysacek is in second place after a personal best short program at Four Continents Championship in Goyang City, Korea.

In his 84.06 point performance to Zorro, two-time World Championship bronze medalist Lysacek started with a quadruple toe-triple to combination. He went on to land a triple Axel and a triple lutz en route to 46.06 for technical elements.

"I've made a lot of improvements since nationals," he said. "I went home and trained in a more relaxed environment. I felt a lot better tonight and I think I was kind of able to go on muscle memory and not try to make it happen quite so much. At nationals, I knew there was a lot riding on it and there was a lot of stress on me, so to be able to come here and just have a more chill environment is just kind of a pleasure for me."

Lysacek trails World silver medalist Daisuke Takahashi, who scored 88.57 for a performance that included a triple flip-triple toe. Olympic bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle finished third with 83.85.

World Junior Champion Stephen Carriere is in fourth place with 74.08. He started his program with a triple Axel that had a three-turn at the end, a triple flip-triple toe and a triple lutz, earning 40.12 for his technical element score.

Jeremy Abbott is in ninth place after two mandatory deductions brought his short program score to 60.87. Two-time U.S. pewter medalist Abbott started his program with a fall on the quad toe. He put his hand down on the triple Axel before falling on his triple lutz.

In the pairs competition, 2007 U.S. Champions Brooke Castile and Benjamin Okolski (56.44) made their first international appearance of the season with a fourth place short program in Goyang City. They started their program with a triple twist before landing a throw triple Salchow. Castile singled the side-by-side double Axels but the pair recovered to finish strong.

China's Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang (70.45) beat out 2006 world champions Qing Pang and Jian Tong (67.70) for the lead. Third place belongs to Americans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin, the national silver medalists, who scored 57.40.

Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent sit in eighth place after two deductions. In their 45.82 performance, they started with a double twist and a throw triple loop. Trent fell on their side-by-side triple toes and they also had a problem on the death spiral.

The ice dancing competition is led by Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who took the compulsory dance with 38.22. The American teams came in second, third and fourth with U.S. silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White (37.36) leading the way. Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre (34.36) took third. Jennifer Wester and Daniil Barantsev (30.95) finished fourth.

The event continues Thursday with the original dance, pairs free skate and ladies short program.

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Seven Figure Skaters Online athletes, pairs teams headed to Korea

February 10, 2008 — Two-time U.S. Champion and two-time World Championship bronze medalist Evan Lysacek is among seven Figure Skaters Online athletes and teams competing at the Four Continents Championship. The competition is Feb. 11-17 in Goyang City, Korea.

In the ladies event, 2008 U.S. Championship bronze medalist and World team member Ashley Wagner is making her first international appearance since finishing third at November's Trophee Eric Bompard, her second senior Grand Prix event. She also finished third at the 2007 World Junior Championships.

Joining Wagner in Korea is her World Championship teammate Beatrisa Liang, who finished fifth at last month's U.S. Championships to secure her spot at Four Continents and Worlds. Liang finished sixth at Cup of China and eighth at Cup of Russia earlier this season. In 2006, she won the bronze medal at Four Continents.

Katrina Hacker is making her senior international debut at Four Continents. In January, she finished sixth at the U.S. Championships to earn the trip to Korea. Hacker previously finished fifth at 2006 Junior Grand Prix Romania and first at the 2005 Triglav Trophy.

International competitors include World Champion Miki Ando and World silver medalist Mao Asada. They are joined by Japanese teammate and three-time Four Continents Champion Fumie Suguri, who has one silver and two bronze medals at Worlds. Defending Four Continents bronze medalist Joannie Rochette of Canada is also competing.

Reigning champion Lysacek is a front runner in the men's competition. Earlier this season, he won silver medals at Skate Canada and Cup of China before finishing third at the Grand Prix Final. Lysacek's Four Continents experience includes a bronze medal finish in 2004 and gold in 2005.

World Junior Champion Stephen Carriere, third at nationals, is competing at Four Continents event for the first time. He opened his season with a fourth place finish at Skate America before taking the bronze medal at NHK Trophy. He has four golds from Junior Grand Prix action.

Two-time national pewter medalist Jeremy Abbott, a replacement for U.S. silver medalist Johnny Weir, is making his second consecutive appearance at the event. Last season, he finished third in the competition before his hometown crowd. Abbott placed eighth at Skate Canada and fourth at the NHK Trophy.

International competitors include World silver medalist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan. This season, Takahashi finished first at Skate America, first at NHK Trophy and second at the Grand Prix Final. Olympic bronze medalist Jeffery Buttle is also competing.

In the pairs competition, U.S. bronze medalists Brooke Castile and Benjamin Okolski are making their first international appearance of the season at Four Continents, after an injury to Castile's ankle forced them to withdraw from both their events in the Grand Prix series. The 2007 U.S. Champions were fifth at the 2007 Four Continents and took seventh in 2005.

Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent are making their Four Continents debut in Korea. Before finishing fourth at the U.S. Championships, Vise and Trent become the first pair in history to land a throw quadruple jump in an international competition. They landed the quad Salchow en route to a fourth place finish at Trophee Eric Bompard.

Team USA also features two-time national champions and current silver medalists Rena Inoue and John Baldwin, who are competing internationally for the first time this season. The team won five medals last season including Four Continents bronze.

U.S. Champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker are not competing in Korea. Although the pair won two silver medals on this year's Grand Prix series, McLaughlin does not meet the minimum age requirement for the competition.

International competitors include Olympic silver medalists Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang, who finished first at Trophee Eric Bompard, took first at Cup of Russia and placed second at the Grand Prix Final. They are joined by 2006 World Champions Qing Pang and Jian Tong.

In the ice dancing competition, Trophee Eric Bompard bronze medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White are competing for Team USA after winning silver at nationals. The team is looking for their first Four Continents medal after finishing fourth at the competition last year in Colorado.

U.S. bronze medalists Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre finished a spot behind Davis and White at last year's competition. The duo placed sixth at both Skate America and NHK Trophy earlier this season.

Jennifer Wester and Daniil Barantsev are making their Four Continents debut. Before placing fifth at the U.S. Championships, Wester and Barantsev took home the gold medal from the Nebelhorn Trophy, where they competed internationally for the first time.

International competitors include two-time Four Continents bronze medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada. This season, they won gold at Skate Canada, placed second at NHK Trophy and finished fourth at the Grand Prix Final before winning their first national title.

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Lysacek, Weir tie but gold goes to defending champ

January 27, 2008 — It could not have been any closer between 2007 U.S. Champion Evan Lysacek and three-time national champion Johnny Weir at the U.S. Championships in St. Paul, Minn. The two tied with a final score of 244.77 points.

But it was Lysacek who came away with the gold medal. While Weir claimed the short program with 83.40, Lysacek won the tiebreaker because of his 162.72 point first place performance in the free skate.

"If you were scripting this whole deal, you probably couldn't have done any better job than this," Lysacek said. He finished second to Weir at 2007 Cup of China and later won bronze to Weir's fourth place at the Grand Prix Final.

Lysacek started his Tosca program with a quadruple toe-triple toe combination though the first jump had a two footed landing. He also landed two triple Axels, a triple loop, a triple Salchow, a triple lutz and two other combinations, with the highlight of his program being a rare Level 4 step sequence, which helped him gain the technical edge.

"Last year, I was excited," he said. "I climbed on top of the mountain I wanted for so long. This year, I felt more relief. I’m sad to say that I’m a little bit happy that it’s over, and I rarely feel like that."

Weir's program to Love is War included his trademark artistry and presentation. And while he performed a two-footed quad toe along with a triple Axel-triple toe combination, he aborted two double jumps, which could have helped him win the gold.

"On my second [triple] Lutz, there was supposed to be a double toe and double loop on the end," Weir said. "I left off the double loop to save energy for my last combination, which was supposed to be a triple flip-double toe, but I two-footed the flip and didn't do the toe."

It was the little things that made a difference.

"First place, second place, last place, I'm just happy with the way I skated," said Weir. He finished third last to Lysacek season, prompting a coaching change, and won the national title in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

It was tied between Lysacek and Weir. But both men were far ahead of Stephen Carriere and Jeremy Abbott, who won the bronze medal and pewter medal to complete a Figure Skaters Online sweep of the men's podium.

"I thought Johnny was terribly straight and accurate and beautiful to watch," said Frank Carroll, who coaches Lysacek in Southern California. "I thought Evan was very exciting and very dramatic, I think it boils down to what you like, pie or cake."

Carriere did not attempt a quad or a triple-triple but his Triple Axel-double toe combination, triple toe-double toe-double toe and triple lutz-double toe him finish with 228.06, enough to secure third place and the third spot on the World Championship team.

"My goal was to improve on last year and I'm glad I did that," said Carriere, the 2007 World Junior Champion. "The world team and the medal are the icing on the cake."

Abbott secured a second consecutive fourth place finish with 221.85 points after landing his second quad toe of the competition, although it was slightly two footed. It was two other mistakes that may have cost him third place in his second senior nationals.

"I felt that on the two elements that I popped, that I could have given a little more, and I think that might have cost me a spot on the world team," Abbott said. He is the first alternate to both the World and Four Continents team, both which now include the top three finishers in the event.

Scott Smith finished sixth with a competition total of 210.55 points. "I'm thrilled with that program because I did every jump about as well as I could do it," he said after his performance, one of the best he has had in recent years.

Wesley Campbell (200.10) finished seventh. In 11th, 13th and 16th, Parker Pennington (188.82), Eliot Halverson (183.67) and Douglas Razzano (180.21), who received three madatory one-point deductions for falls.

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Nagasu takes gold and McLaughlin, Brubaker win pairs

January 26, 2008 — Mirai Nagasu could not see the scoreboard after her Saturday free skate because she was not wearing her glasses. So until her coach Charlene Wong told her she won the U.S. Championship, she had no idea she did the almost impossible, winning back-to-back junior and senior national championships.

Nagasu (190.41) only finished third with her Coppelia free skate program because she fell on her opening double Axel and had the second jump in her triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination downgraded. But a 5.08-point lead into the free helped her keep her top spot on the podium.

"The fall on the double Axel was like a kick in the butt," said Nagasu, who is the Junior Grand Prix Champion and won silver at last years World Junior Championships, "and after that I just attacked and did the rest."

The silver medal went to Rachael Flatt (188.73) after she won the free skate with her Romantic Rhapsody program. Flatt landed seven triple jumps including both a triple-triple combination and one triple-double-double combination.

Ashley Wagner was second in the short program and the free skate but wound up third overall with 188.56 points, just .17 of a point behind Flatt. She landed an opening triple Lutz-triple loop combination and also landed a triple loop-double loop with a two foot landing, triple flip-double-loop-double loop, triple Salchow and triple toe.

Caroline Zhang moved up from a seventh place short program to win the pewter medal. Beatrisa Liang (164.87) finished fifth overall after landing her opening triple flip-double toe combination and a double Axel-double toe-double loop in her fifth place Yellow River free skate.

Defending U.S. Champion Kimmie Meissner (157.56) settled for seventh after opening her seventh place free skate with one of her three eventual falls. Alissa Czisny (146.38) finished ninth after a one-point deducation in her free skate.

In the pairs competition, 2007 World Junior Champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker (190.74) followed their first place short program with a first place free skate to win their first senior national title. The couple, who were second at both their Grand Prix events this year, placed first in the junior event last season.

McLaughlin and Brubaker opened with a triple twist. They landed a throw triple toe loop and side-by-side double Axels before she fell on their attempted side-by-side triple Salchows. The team also landed another throw triple loop in addition to performing three lifts.

"I can't believe we're the national champions," McLaughlin said. "It's been a lot of hard work. Everything fell into place."

Two-time national champions Rena Inoue and John Baldwin finished second with 183.17.

Defending national champions Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski won the bronze medal after sitting out the entire season because of various injuries. The team started their Scheherazade program with a triple twist and went on to perform a throw triple Salchow and side-by-side double Axels.

Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent (161.20) did not land the throw triple loop or throw quadruple Salchow, which they did at November's Trophee Eric Bompard, becoming the first pair to ever land a quadruple in an international competition. But they finished fourth in the free skate with help from a double flip-double toe combination to claim their first medal at nationals.

Naomi Nari Nam and Themistocles Leftheris (145.89) moved up one spot after the short program to clinch seventh place. Chloe Katz and Joseph Lynch, 10th at last year's nationals, improved their standing by finishing eighth with 142.29 points.

In their senior debut, Bianca Butler and Joseph Jacobsen (136.65) finished ninth while Kaela Pflumm and Christopher Pottenger were 11th with 127.27. Butler and Jacobsen had a one point deduction while Pflumm and Pottenger received three deductions, one for a fall on a lift.

In ice dancing, Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto claimed their fifth ice dancing title after finishing first in the compulsory, original and free dances for 216.07 points. Meryl Davis and Charlie White (206.82) were second in each dance to claim silver while Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre (187.94) were third to claim bronze. Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates held onto fourth with 175.16 despite a sixth place free.

The competition continues tomorrow with the men's free skate.

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Weir reigns over defending champ Lysacek in short

January 25, 2008 — Three-time U.S. Champion Johnny Weir has a narrow lead on defending national champion Evan Lysacek after the short program at the U.S. Championships in St. Paul, Minn.

Weir scored 83.40 points, the highest-ever total for an American man's short program in national or international competition, for his fluid efforts to Yunona I Avos. The program did not include the much talked about quadruple jump but started with a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, then hit a triple Axel and triple flip to land Weir in first place with Lysacek yet to skate.

"I wanted to prove that the changes I made this season were the right ones," Weir said of his motivation going into the program. He left long time coach Priscilla Hill to train with Galina Zmievskaya, who coached both Oksana Baiul and Victor Petrenko to the Olympic gold medal.

Lysacek made it close with a passionate performance to selections from the Zorro movie oundtracks. Admitting later that he was "so scared" to skate, he two footed the landing of his quadruple toe before doubling the second jump in the intended quad-triple combination.

But despite the mistakes, Lysacek later won the crowd over with his Level 4 for his straight-line sequence that helped him earn 82.05 points, including a technical elements score of 43.38 and 38.67 for program components.

"I give amazing props to Johnny," Lysacek said following his programs. "He's gone through (defending his national title) three times, and this is obviously my first. I was shaking. I owe everything to Frank. He sort of socked me in the face and said, 'Go!'"

World Junior Champion Stephen Carriere is in third place after a commanding short program that earned him 76.66—putting him less than seven points out of the gold medal position. He landed a triple flip-triple toe combination in the Stairway to Heaven program for the first time this season.

"My training at home has been consistently good," said Carriere, who also landed a triple Axel in his short. "I'm so happy I did the triple-triple. It's been a triple-double all season, and I've been kicking myself."

Defending silver medalist Ryan Bradley narrowly leads pewter medalist Jeremy Abbott, 74.20 points to 73.28. Abbott landed the quad toe loop for the first time this season but he stepped out on the landing and did not attempt the second jump in the combination. He went on to land triple Lutz-triple toe instead.

"I had planned a quad combination, and (the triple-triple) was my back-up plan," Abbott said. He also stepped out of the landing of his triple Axel and had his usually strong footwork downgraded to Level 1 after leaving out some steps.

A rejuveniated Scott Smith showed off a re-choreographed version of his short program for 66.34, which has him behind Abbott in sixth place. Wesley Campbell (65.53) is in eighth place after a fall. In 10th and 11th place, Parker Pennington (65.32) and Douglas Razzano (64.83).

Eliot Halverson is currently 17th after falling in his senior debut.

In the junior men's event, gold medalist Adam Rippon (203.63) used strong straightline footwork to win over the crowd during his top ranked free skate. His Moonlight Sonata program started with an impressive a triple flip-triple toe and continued with a triple Lutz, a triple loop, double Axel, triple Lutz-double toe-double loop, triple flip, double Axel-triple Salchow sequence and another double Axel.

"Being the champion in anything feels great," said Rippon, who is the Junior Grand Prix Champion. "But being the champion of such a strong event, where you could make one mistake and it would cost you a medal, feels great, especially to be part of a strong developing junior team for the upcoming years at the senior level and for the future of American figure skating."

Brandon Mroz (203.63) pulled up from third after the short program to finish with the silver medal, 10 points behind Rippon but more than 20 points ahead of bronze medalist Andrew Gonzales (182.27). Richard Dornbush, ranked 12th after the short program, placed third in the free skate to win the pewter medal with 179.27.

Junior Grand Prix bronze medalist Armin Mahbanoozadeh (167.76) finished eighth after a sixth place free skate. Austin Kanallakan finished seventh in the free skate but still place 10th overall, the same placement he had after the short program. Kanallakan earned 165.06 points.

The junior pairs championship went to Jessica Rose Paetsch and Jon Nuss (143.19). Second after the short, the 2007 U.S. Championship bronze medalists Paetsch and Nuss won the free skate with help from a throw triple Salchow and a throw double loop. The pair also had a few mistakes, including Paetsch slipping on her double Axel and Nuss falling in the footwork, but the pair was unmatched.

"It's a great relief for us," said Nuss, who finished fourth at the Junior Grand Prix Final with his partner. "We've been working so hard the last couple months. It's nice to have it pay off."

The silver medal went to Tracy Tanovich and Michael Chau (137.36). Although they finished first in the short program, Chelsi Guillen and Danny Curzon (134.58) won the bronze medal after two mistakes in their fourth place free skate. Guillen stumbled on their double Axel-double toe combinations and also fell on the landing of the throw triple Salchow.

"I'm not disappointed at all by how we skated. I felt like we went out there and did the best we could," Guillen said. She landed a throw triple loop early in their The Legend of Zorro free skate.

"It felt amazing being on the podium," she said. "It feels nice to win my first medal at nationals."

Andrea Best and Trevor Young claimed the pewter medal with 129.75 points. In fifth place, last year's sixth place finishers Meg Byrne and Nathan Bartholomay, who finished sixth in the short program and fifth in the free skate for 124.71 total.

The action continues tomorrow with the pairs free skate, ladies free skate and free dance. On Sunday, the event concludes with the men's free skate followed by the event exhibition, featuring all gold medalists and the bronze, silver and pewter medalists from the senior events.

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Newcomers Nagasu, Wagner take charge of ladies

January 24, 2008 — Mirai Nagasu could not sleep Wednesday night because she kept "mentally visualizing the program" in her head, the 2007 U.S. Junior Ladies Champion said.

But she probably did not visualize what actually happened Thursday night in the senior ladies short program. Skating to I Got Rhythm, Nagasu scored a historic 70.23 points, the highest-ever total for a ladies' short program at the national event.

Nagasu's program was highlighted by a triple Lutz-triple toe combination, which she landed for the first time in St. Paul. She was also awarded Level 4 difficultly for four non-jumping elements.

"My goal right now is just to skate my best and have fun," said Nagasu, who is too young to compete at the World Championships. She leads World Junior bronze medalist Ashley Wagner by 5.08.

Wagner was "hoping to do a nice, clean program" in the short program. She went above that by landing a triple Lutz-triple loop en route to 65.15 points in her senior national debut.

"I've been doing the triple-triple at home, and I figured I would see how it felt here in practice," Wagner said. "I had nothing to lose. It was my national senior debut and I figured I might as well put on a show."

Rachael Flatt (62.91) landed a triple Lutz-triple toe loop to help secure a third place finish. She leads defending national champion and 2006 World Champion Kimmie Meissner (57.58 points), who fell on the opening triple flip in her The Feeling Begins short program.

Pewter medalist Beatrisa Liang is in sixth place after popping her opening jump brought her score down to 55.10. A fall brought defending bronze medalist Alissa Czisny, who competed with a cast on her wrist, down to 9th place with 50.58 points.

In the junior pairs short program, Chelsi Guillen and Danny Curzon (53.65) moved past last year's bronze medalists Jessica Rose Paetsch and Jon Nuss (52.13) with a double twist, side-by-side double Axels and a throw triple toe.

"We feel really confident with that program so we knew if we skated well, we could be up there," said Curzon, who was eighth with Guillen at last year's national championships. "Tomorrow we are going out there to do our job."

Paetsch and Nuss' program included a double twist, a throw double toe and side-by-side double Axels. They lead third place finishers Tracy Tanovich and Michael Chau (50.83), the 2007 U.S. Novice Pairs Champions, and fourth place finishers Lisa Moore and Justin Gaumond (47.14).

Meg Byrne and Nathan Bartholomay are sixth with 45.56.

The ice dancing competitions continued with Madison Hubbell and Keiffer Hubbell winning the junior ice dancing event with 167.48 points. Piper Gilles and Timothy McKernan (161.66), Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein (161.40) and Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani (157.80) took silver, bronze and pewter after going two, three and four in the free dance.

The senior ice dancing results remain the same after the original dance. Olympic silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto are on their way to a fifth national title with 106.15 entering the free dance, which is Saturday.

Last year's bronze medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White are second with 103.28, the pewter medalists Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre are third with 94.09 and U.S. Junior Champions Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates are fourth with 91.62.

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McLaughlin, Brubaker set standard in senior pairs

January 23 2008 — Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker won the senior pairs short program with a stellar performance to Moonlight Sonata that earned them 66.54 points, their best-ever short program total.

McLaughlin and Brubaker may not be able to advance past the U.S. Championships because of age restrictions—she's too young for Worlds and he's too old for Junior Worlds—but that did not stop them from hitting their opening triple twist or side-by-side triple Salchows.

"Any competition we go to, we're not skating for second place," Brubaker said. "You have to believe you can be the best, or you've already lost."

The only mistake came on the throw triple Salchow when McLaughlin's hand skimmed the ice during the landing. Everything else was in the same fashion that has helped them build a two-year career made of nothing but gold and silver medal performances.

"We want to make a big bang on the senior circuit next season," McLaughlin said. "In a way, [missing worlds] is a blessing in disguise. It gives us another year to grow."

Two-time national champions Rena Inoue and John Baldwin took the Grand Prix season off to refresh her mind, Inoue said. They picked up right where they left off last year by finishing second in the short with 65.24.

Reigning national champions Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski (58.95) are in third place, the same position they were in before winning the free skate at last year's event. Both skaters had problems on the side-by-side double Axels but despite spending the fall season out with an injury, their lifts, throws and twists were among the best in the event.

Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig, fourth at the 2007 U.S. Championships, find themselves in fourth place after a 57.10 performance to Stray Cat Strut. Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent (53.97) are in fifth after she struggled on the landing of her throw triple loop.

"It wasn't the best skate that we have had all season," said Vise, who landed a throw quadruple Salchow at Trophee Eric Bompard earlier this season. "I was disappointed with the throw, but what can you do? Everyone has their bad skates."

Chloe Katz and Joseph Lynch (50.62) are on their way to improving on their 10th place finish from last season after a seventh place short program. They came in ahead of Naomi Nari Nam and Themi Leftheris (48.51). In their first performance of the season because of Nam's hip surgery, Leftheris fell on the opening side-by-side jumps and Nam fell on the throw.

In their senior debut, 2007 junior pairs pewter medalists Kaela Pflumm and Christopher Pottenger placed 10th with 46.73 points. They came in ahead of junior pairs silver medalists Bianca Butler and Joseph Jacobsen (45.33).

Adam Rippon started toward his third gold medal of the season by winning the junior men's short program. Already the the Junior Grand Prix Romania and Junior Grand Prix Final Champion, Rippon erased the personal bests he set at those events by scoring a new personal best 71.33 with help from triple flip-triple toe combination, double Axel and triple loop.

Last year's pewter medalist Curran Oi is second with 68.15. In third and fourth, Brandon Mroz (65.89) and Andrew Gonzales (60.01). Armin Mahbanoozadeh placed ninth with 53.29, Austin Kanallakan took 10th with 53.02 and Richard Dornbush is 12th with 52.46.

In other action, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto started their route to a fifth consecutive U.S. Championship by winning the Yankee Polka compulsory dance with 41.86 points. Defending bronze medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White (40.59) are second, pewter medalists Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre (35.38) are third and U.S. Junior Dance Champions Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates (34.00) are fourth.

Yesterday, Alexe Gilles finished with 156.17 points to win the gold medal in the junior ladies competition. In her free skate to Oceanic by Vangelis, which earned 103.54, she landed a triple Lutz-double toe combination, triple Lutz from footwork, triple loop, triple Salchow-double toe and a triple toe-double toe-double loop.

The silver medal went to 2007 U.S. Novice Ladies Champion Angela Maxwell. Leading after the short program, she finished third in the free skate to claim second place overall with 150.11 points. In third and fourth, Brittney Rizo (149.60) and Kristine Musademba (143.86).

Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein won the junior original dance with 53.03 points. In second, brother and sister team Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, who finished with 52.32 after placing only seventh in the compulsory dance. Compulsory dance winners Madison Hubbell and Keiffer Hubbell (50.66) edged out Piper Gilles and Timothy McKernan for third (50.24).

The competition continues Thursday with the junior free dance, junior pairs short program, senior original dance and senior ladies short program. The senior men take the ice for the first time Friday.

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Carman, Knierim win novice crown in St. Paul

January 21, 2008 — Brynn Carman and Chris Knierim are the 2008 U.S. Novice Pairs Champions. The Colorado Springs, Colo., based skaters were the first national champions crowned at this week's event in St. Paul, Minn.

Carman and Knierim entered the free skate in second place after two falls in the short program (37.01). But the team, which had a combined 120.53, bounced back from their disappointing short to win the free skate (83.52) with a dynamic performance to the City Slickers soundtrack.

"We chose the theme because it plays off of our strengths," Carman said. "We are a very fun team, and it's fun to have an interesting program that plays to the audience."

The audience especially enjoyed the pair's sky-high twist.

The silver medal went to short program winners Brittany Chase and Andrew Speroff (116.99). In their third place free, Chase fell on the for a mandatory one point deduction that brought their free skate score to 79.64.

Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir (116.42) won the bronze medal after placing fourth in the short program and second in the free skate. Also making the podium with a pewter medal finish are Kloe Bautista and Galvani Hopson (113.80), who were third in the short and fourth in the free.

"One of our best elements this year was our full triple loop, which we added right before sectionals," Bautista said. "We landed it here. We were the only ones to land it here at nationals, so we are pretty glad about that."

Despite deductions for stumbling on her double Axel and falling on her triple Lutz, Marissa Secundy (110.38) also took home the novice ladies crown following her first place free skate (73.12). Her triple toe, triple Salchow, triple loop-double loop combination and triple loop-double toe-double loop combo helped keep her ahead of short program leader Sophia Lamay (108.41).

Silver medalist Lamay lost her shot at the championship when she fell on the triple Salchow-double toe, which brought her down to fourth place in the free skate. The bronze medal went to Felicia Zhang (106.02) with Agnes Zawadzki (104.18) fourth.

In the novice men's event, Daniel O'Shea maintained his lead after the short program by landing landed five of his six planned triples in the free skate (99.03). He not only landed his first Lutz and flip in competition but he also helped rack up his 145.92 overall points with two combinations.

And not only did O'Shea win but he also earned himself a puppy. After finishing eighth at nationals last year, his dad said that if he won the 2008 U.S. Novice Men's Championship, he would buy him a puppy—O'Shea wants a golden retriever to match his new gold medal.

Silver went to Ross Miner (135.81) although he was fourth in the short program and third in the free skate. Daniel Wang edged out Alexander Zahradnicek, second after the short, for the bronze medal with 133.70 to 133.24.

The ice dancing gold medal went to Chloe Wolf and Rhys Ainsworth (110.69), who led after the two compulsory dances and then took first in the free dance (61.17). The silver medal went to Kilian compulsory dance winners Megan Evans and Nathan Truesdell (106.27).

Una Donegan and Andrew Korda won the bronze medal with 103.85 points after taking fifth in the tango, fourth in the Kilian and second in the free dance. Pewter medals went to Anastasia Olson and Jordan Cowan (103.15) after they finished second, fifth and fourth.

The junior ice dancing competition got underway with last year's silver medalists Madison Hubbell and Keiffer Hubbell taking a commanding lead in the compulsory dance. Despite missing the entire fall season leading up to their win at the Midwestern Sectional Championships because of an injury, they scored 34.61 points.

Also at the top of the junior ice dancing standings are Piper Gilles and Timothy McKernan (30.97) in second, Pilar Bosley and John Corona (30.07) in third with Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein (29.92) in fourth.

The competition continues Tuesday with the junior original dance and junior ladies free skate.

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Carman and Knierim in second place at nationals

January 20, 2008 — Brynn Carman and Chris Knierim kicked off the U.S. Championship action for the Figure Skaters Online athletes by finishing second in the novice pairs short program. The competition is Jan. 20-27 in St. Paul, Minn.

Last year's U.S. Championship novice pairs pewter medalists Carman and Knierim finished with 37.01 points despite two mandatory one-point deductions for falls. Carman fell on the side-by-side double loop before taking a tumble on the straight line step sequence.

Their Broadmoor Skating Club teammates Brittany Chase and Andrew Speroff (37.35) lead the event. Third place belongs to Kloe Bautista and Galvani Hopson (35.93) with Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir (35.62) in fourth.

Sophia Lamay took the novice ladies short program with 38.86 after completing a double Lutz-double loop combination, followed by a triple Salchow and a double Axel. Second, third and fourth belong to Marissa Secundy (37.26), Gretchen Donlan (36.12) and Felicia Zhang (35.83).

In the novice men's short program, Daniel O'Shea took the lead with 46.89. Alexander Zahradnicek edged out David Wang for second place with 46.59 points to 45.03. Fourth place belongs to Ross Miner (44.85).

The lead in the novice dance event belongs to Chloe Wolf and Rhys Ainsworth (49.52). The team took the lead over Megan Evans and Nathan Truesdell in tango dance, the first of the two compulsory dances, and then maintained first place after the Kilian dance, despite their third place finish in the second compulsory dance.

Second belongs to Kilian dance winners Evans and Truesdell (49.44), who were third in compulsory dance two. Third belongs to Katie Wyble and Justin Morrow (48.80) with Anastasia Olson and Jordan Cowan (46.62) fourth.

In the last event of the day, 2007 U.S. Novice Ladies Champion Angela Maxwell (54.91) took the lead in the ladies short program with help from a triple toe loop-triple toe loop combination. Second place belongs to Brittney Rizo, who also landed a triple toe-triple toe for 54.59.

Junior Grand Prix Final qualifier Alexe Gilles landed in third place with 52.63 after performing a triple Lutz-double toe loop. Fourth place belongs to Victoria Rackhohn (49.50).

The U.S. Championships continue Monday with the novice pairs free skate, novice ladies free skate, junior compulsory dance, novice men's free skate and novice free dance. The senior action gets underway Wednesday with the compulsory dance.

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Seven Riedell wearing skaters to sign autographs Jan. 26

January 18, 2008 — Four Figure Skaters Online skaters are participating in an autograph session during the senior free dance at the U.S. Championships on Jan. 26.

Stop by the main concourse near section 124 between 5-6:30 p.m. to meet Jeremy Abbott, Eliot Halverson, Parker Pennington and Johnny Weir. Riedell Skates is sponsoring the special meet and greet with the four Figure Skaters Online athletes as well as Angie Lien, Kristen Olson and Brittney Rizo, who all wear Riedell brand skates.

Photos will be provided for the skaters to sign. However, to ensure the skaters get to meet as many fans as possible, only one item or photo per-person for each skater.

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Armin Mahbanoozadeh joins Figure Skaters Online

January 14, 2008 — Following his bronze medal performance at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Gdansk, Poland, 2007 U.S. Novice Men's Champion Armin Mahbanoozadeh is proud to open his official Web site at Figure Skaters Online.

Earlier this season, Mahbanoozadeh won the gold medal at Junior Grand Prix Lake Placid, his first career event on the series. He also claimed bronze at Junior Grand Prix Croatia.

Mahbanoozadeh is currently preparing for his junior national debut at the U.S. Championships in St. Paul, Minn. He trains with coach Traci Coleman in Reston, Va., near his hometown of Farifax.

Fans of the Washington Figure Skating Club skater can visit his official site at figureskatersonline.com/arminmahbanoozadeh. His site includes a journal, personal snapshots from the Junior Grand Prix Final and more.

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Douglas Razzano joins Figure Skaters Online

January 5, 2008 — Following his fourth place finish at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Gdansk, Poland, Douglas Razzano is proud to open his official Web site at Figure Skaters Online.

Earlier this season, Razzano finished fourth at Junior Grand Prix Estonia. He then went on to finish second Junior Grand Prix Great Britain before competing at the Pacific Coast Sectional Championships, where he finished fourth in the senior event.

Razzano will make his senior national debut this month at the U.S. Championships in St. Paul, Minn. His goals are to skate a clean short program and free skate to earn a spot on the World Junior Championship team.

Fans of the Scottsdale, Ariz., based skater can visit his official site at www.figureskatersonline.com/douglasrazzano. The site has various features including a blog and photos.

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Please note that news only reflects the athletes who were a part of Figure Skaters Online during the event. Therefore, certain athletes may not be included in our coverage from the Junior Grand Prix, Grand Prix, U.S. Championships and other events, because they opened their Web site after the conclusion of the competition.