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In a taped interview prior to the event, Kwan commented, "Nationals is always a big competition. It's exciting. It's great, this year...we've got everyone coming back...staying amateur. Dressed in a Vera Wang gown, she skated her short program on Friday with speed and energy. She commanded the ice like only Michelle can and successfully completed jump after jump. At the end, she received a standing ovation. Like a replay of last year's Olympics, Michelle was joined by fellow figure skating divas Sarah Hughes and Sasha Cohen. It has been almost a year since that event and almost as long since Olympic champion Hughes has been on the ice competing for a major title. She is the only U.S. skater in history to win an Olympic gold without first winning a national title. Would this be her year? "I'm looking to move up this year," Hughes said. At the 2002 Nationals, she placed third behind Michelle and Sasha. Hughes was a little shaky during her short program, but she was a tough competitor and fought to land all her jumps. Her efforts were rewarded with a third place standing from the judges. Teammate Sasha attacked her short program with fire and determination. "It's going to take two great performances. I definitely want to be national champion," Cohen sounded fired up during a pre-competition interview. Would this be her year to win? The final competition played out in a live broadcast Saturday night. Michelle had the fortune (or misfortune) to skate first and did not disappoint the crowd. She competed only one other time this season, but Michelle was in top form at Nationals, skating with passion and grace. She looked at ease on the ice and started off her long program with a sold triple loop that looked light and effortless. She received another standing ovation. One judge awarded her performance with a perfect 6.0. That brings Michelle's grand total to 28--the most won by any skater, male or female, at Nationals. Michelle commented afterwards, "The crowd was behind me. And I just let it go, and I had a lot of fun." Unfortunately, the evening did not go as well for Sasha Cohen who skated fourth in the final group. She fell on a jump combination towards the middle of her long program, and landed poorly on a double axel. She performed a beautiful spiral sequence, but this program wasn't as dynamic as her short program. Despite the mistakes, she managed to hang onto second place--temporarily. Her technical scores ranged from 5.5 to 5.8, and her presentation scores ranged from 5.7 to 5.8. Michelle waited backstage while the other skaters performed. She was currently in first place, but would it stay that way? Sarah was the last skater to compete at the event. She completed five triple jumps and her error-free program was worthy of the title. Hughes smiled after she completed her last triple jump, obviously very pleased with her performance. The judges rewarded her program with technical scores from 5.7 to 5.8 and presentation scores from 5.6 to 5.9. Hughes' scores were not as high as Kwan's, but she was able to move up to second place this year. Kwan claimed the National title yet again, bringing her grand total to seven. She won the gold in 1996, 1998, 1999-2003, and the silver in 1994, 1995, and 1997. Quite an impressive feat, but it's no surprise to long-time fans who know what she's capable of doing. In her own words, "I just said [to myself] I've worked hard the last few months and I know I can do it; I've done it before." Yes, Michelle, you've definitely done it again! Copyright © Kristen Koester. All Rights Reserved. This article and any accompanying pictures, photographs, or line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author. |
Photo copyright © Andrea "Hoo" Chempinski |
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Seven Times is the Charm for Kwan by Kristen Koester |
In a taped interview prior to the event, Kwan commented, "Nationals is always a big competition. It's exciting. It's great, this year...we've got everyone coming back...staying amateur. Dressed in a Vera Wang gown, she skated her short program on Friday with speed and energy. She commanded the ice like only Michelle can and successfully completed jump after jump. At the end, she received a standing ovation. Like a replay of last year's Olympics, Michelle was joined by fellow figure skating divas Sarah Hughes and Sasha Cohen. It has been almost a year since that event and almost as long since Olympic champion Hughes has been on the ice competing for a major title. She is the only U.S. skater in history to win an Olympic gold without first winning a national title. Would this be her year? "I'm looking to move up this year," Hughes said. At the 2002 Nationals, she placed third behind Michelle and Sasha. Hughes was a little shaky during her short program, but she was a tough competitor and fought to land all her jumps. Her efforts were rewarded with a third place standing from the judges. Teammate Sasha attacked her short program with fire and determination. "It's going to take two great performances. I definitely want to be national champion," Cohen sounded fired up during a pre-competition interview. Would this be her year to win? The final competition played out in a live broadcast Saturday night. Michelle had the fortune (or misfortune) to skate first and did not disappoint the crowd. She competed only one other time this season, but Michelle was in top form at Nationals, skating with passion and grace. She looked at ease on the ice and started off her long program with a sold triple loop that looked light and effortless. She received another standing ovation. One judge awarded her performance with a perfect 6.0. That brings Michelle's grand total to 28--the most won by any skater, male or female, at Nationals. Michelle commented afterwards, "The crowd was behind me. And I just let it go, and I had a lot of fun." Unfortunately, the evening did not go as well for Sasha Cohen who skated fourth in the final group. She fell on a jump combination towards the middle of her long program, and landed poorly on a double axel. She performed a beautiful spiral sequence, but this program wasn't as dynamic as her short program. Despite the mistakes, she managed to hang onto second place--temporarily. Her technical scores ranged from 5.5 to 5.8, and her presentation scores ranged from 5.7 to 5.8. Michelle waited backstage while the other skaters performed. She was currently in first place, but would it stay that way? Sarah was the last skater to compete at the event. She completed five triple jumps and her error-free program was worthy of the title. Hughes smiled after she completed her last triple jump, obviously very pleased with her performance. The judges rewarded her program with technical scores from 5.7 to 5.8 and presentation scores from 5.6 to 5.9. Hughes' scores were not as high as Kwan's, but she was able to move up to second place this year. Kwan claimed the National title yet again, bringing her grand total to seven. She won the gold in 1996, 1998, 1999-2003, and the silver in 1994, 1995, and 1997. Quite an impressive feat, but it's no surprise to long-time fans who know what she's capable of doing. In her own words, "I just said [to myself] I've worked hard the last few months and I know I can do it; I've done it before." Yes, Michelle, you've definitely done it again! Copyright © Kristen Koester. All Rights Reserved. This article and any accompanying pictures, photographs, or line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author. |
Photo copyright AP |
Nationals always seem to bring out the best in Michelle Kwan, and this year was no different. |
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