![\"\"](\"https:\/\/figureskatersonline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Alexa-Knierim-and-Brandon-Frazier-US-Nationals-23-psIMG_4364-2.jpg\")
<\/a>Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier won their second U.S. pairs title as a team on Saturday, Jan. 26, topping the field by over 30 points. As the 2022 World Champions, Knierim and Frazier were unquestionably the favorites heading into San Jose and the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. And when you\u2019re that far ahead of your competitors, what is the motivation?<\/p>\nBoth skaters spoke reflectively in the post-event press conferences, and it was clear that appreciation for their journey and experiences in the sport, rather than medals or titles, are what drive them these days.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means the world to me, and I think I can speak for Alexa, too,\u201d Frazier told the media in the post-event press conference. \u201cEspecially after missing last year, to return and to return to the top of the podium, it\u2019s a great achievement. But more importantly for us, we\u2019ve been reflecting a lot throughout this season on our personal journeys and our partnership, so coming here, it\u2019s just so many emotions of the U.S. Championships every time. This was a week full of emotions and that was all heart tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
This second title with Frazier makes it five total for Knierim, who was a three-time U.S. Champion while skating with her husband, Chris Knierim. She said, \u201cI\u2019m just so wrapped up in doing what I love that the numbers of championships, gold medals, for me here will never amount to how much I just love skating. I could have no medals, and I would probably feel the same way about it. I\u2019m pretty proud of having five, [and] I think younger me would be like, \u2018That would be so cool to do,\u2019 but now it\u2019s more about the artistry and the movement on the ice that I care about most.\u201d<\/p>\n
The duo took a commanding lead in their intense short program, set to music from the television show \u201cStranger Things,\u201d landing solid side-by-side triple toe loops and a huge throw triple flip. Their score of 81.96 points was a new U.S. Championships record in the pairs short program.<\/p>\n
Knierim and Frazier had a 15-point lead heading into the free, where the only issue was a single toe loop in combination with their triple toes, instead of a planned triple toe-double toe-double toe combination.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiving out the performance that we did today, for us personally, it means a lot to us, and being here on the podium also means a lot to us,\u201d Chan said during the press conference. \u201cAs a team, we have been through a lot this season in terms of getting experience and going through the ups and downs of training and going through the challenges together as a team.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite a fall on the throw triple loop, the duo looked to be relishing their free skate performance, set to \u201cUnchained Melody.\u201d This silver medal continues the strong season they\u2019ve been having so far, including two silver medals on the Grand Prix series and an appearance at the Grand Prix Final.<\/p>\n<\/a>Emily Chan and Spencer Howe improved on last year\u2019s fourth place finish with a silver medal performance in San Jose. They took the ice last in the free skate, after Knierim and Frazier earned a huge ovation from the crowd.<\/p>\n