Skating

Skaters seek a launchpad to Turin

By DAVE SCHEIBER
Published January 7, 2006

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships begin Sunday in St. Louis, with the sport's top athletes hoping the event will launch them into the Winter Olympics next month in Turin.

The big news heading into the championships is that Michelle Kwan, winner of eight consecutive titles and a record-tying nine overall, will not add to her impressive total.

Kwan announced Wednesday that she will miss the competition because of a pulled groin muscle sustained in practice Dec. 17. She is, however, petitioning the U.S. Figure Skating International Committee for one of three spots on the women's team.

Senior-level competition begins Tuesday. Here's the Associated Press' look at some key names competing through Jan. 14 for at shot at the Olympics:

SASHA COHEN, 21: Even before Kwan was injured, she was the favorite. ... One of the most talented skaters around, combining equal parts athleticism, artistry and beauty, but has had tendency to fall short when it matters most. She realizes that, though, which might be half the battle. ... Two-time silver medalist at world championships and four-time runnerup at nationals is looking for an upgrade. ... Muscle injury kept her out of her first Grand Prix event, Skate America, but she finished second at Trophee Eric Bompard in November. Has since reworked part of her free skate.

KIMMIE MEISSNER, 16: Made a big splash at her first senior nationals last year with a triple axel, only the second by an American woman and first since Tonya Harding in 1991. ... The silver medalist at the 2004 junior world championships is still looking to make her mark at the senior level. She was a distant second to Cohen at the Campbell's Classic in October, then fifth at both of her Grand Prix events, the NHK Trophy and Trophee Eric Bompard. ... Can jump with the best of them. If her artistry continues to grow with her, look out.

ALISSA CZISNY, 18: Had a spectacular start with second-place finish at Skate America and win at Skate Canada, establishing herself as a possible dark horse for Turin. But she had a dismal showing at the Grand Prix final, finishing last after several falls. ... Has good jumps and is pleasant to watch, but has to find answer for her inconsistency in the biggest events. ... Gives new meaning to term "student-athlete". Juggles full load at Bowling Green State University while training - in the Detroit area.

EMILY HUGHES, 16: Bronze medalist at last year's junior world championships is long shot for Olympic team, but she has made solid strides this season. Had fifth-place finishes at both Skate America and Cup of Russia. ... Younger sister of 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes.

JOHNNY WEIR, 21: Two-time U.S. champion has had a rough year. Had to scramble in late September to rework his program after judges said difficulty levels weren't what he thought. Then sprained left ankle on first jump of his free skate at Skate Canada. Returned for Cup of Russia, where he was fourth. ... Got late invite to Grand Prix final, but turned it down because it came after the official deadline. ... Still working on that quadruple jump, but rivals Evgeni Plushenko for artistry and quality of skating. ... Endearingly quirky, not afraid to wear unusual - some call them garish - costumes or speak his mind.

EVAN LYSACEK, 20: Hoping to duplicate last year's success, when he came on strong late and won bronze medals at both U.S. and world championships. Also won Four Continents. ... Scrapped his Grease free skate after lackluster second-place finish at Skate America and replaced it with Carmen. Worked at NHK, where he won free skate and finished second overall. ... Had to skip Grand Prix final with bursitis and tendinitis in his right hip. ... Three-time silver medalist at the junior world championships. ... Energy and winsomeness on ice reflect his happy-go-lucky personality.

MICHAEL WEISS, 29: Three-time U.S. champion remains the Energizer Bunny of skating, going and going and going. ... Was second at the Campbell's Classic, but was sixth at Trophee Bombard after troubles in the free skate. ... Still working with Don Laws, but also gets occasional help from Todd Eldredge, who knows a few things about longevity. Eldredge has helped Weiss improve consistency of his triple axel, which has been more miss than hit last few years. ... How long has Weiss been around? Daughter Annie-Mae is 7 and son Christopher is 6.

TIM GOEBEL, 25: Hard to tell what's going on with the Olympic bronze medalist, once one of the best jumpers in the sport. He has looked lost on the ice, his 10th-place finish at worlds last spring was his worst since 2000, and he didn't make the podium at either of his Grand Prix events. He was sixth at Skate America, but improved to fourth at Trophee Eric Bompard. ... After switching to coach Audrey Weisiger last year, made another big change this season. Tatiana Tarasova choreographed his programs instead of Lori Nichol, who was responsible for his delightful American in Paris program in 2002. ... When he's on, no other American man can match the technical ability of "The Quad King," and he should be able to score big under the new judging system. But he needs to get his confidence back. ... Free skate is the devilish Night on Bald Mountain, and his costume is appropriately frightful.

KATIE ORSCHER and GARRETT LUCASH: Proved they were no fluke last year, following a surprise silver medal finish in 2004 with their first U.S. title. ... Moved up one spot at the world championships to 12th, but it's not enough to scare the Russians or Chinese. ... Finished sixth at Cup of China. RENA INOUE and JOHN BALDWIN JR.: Took steps backward last year. Dropped from champions to silver medalists at nationals, then went from 10th to 11th at worlds. ... Seem to be making strides this season, though, finishing second at Skate America and fourth in a strong field at Trophee Eric Bompard. ... Her athleticism is their strength. He needs to stop popping jumps he mastered long before he could drive. ... After coach Jill Watson moved to Arizona, switched to Peter Oppegard, Watson's partner when they won bronze at the 1988 Olympics.

MARCY HINZMANN and AARON PARCHEM: Made the podium in only their second season together last year, winning the bronze medal. ... He also was third at 2002 nationals with former partner Stephanie Kalesavich. ... Finished third at Nebelhorn Trophy and fifth at Skate America. ... He is married to Zuzanna Szwed, their choreographer who skated for Poland in the 1992 Olympics.

DANCE

TANITH BELBIN and BEN AGOSTO: The Canadian-born Belbin was sworn in as a U.S. citizen on Dec. 31 after an assist from Congress and President Bush, making the pair eligible for the Turin Olympics. ... Two-time U.S. champions get better with each year and have little competition domestically, though the gap is beginning to close. ... Ended the 20-year U.S. medal drought in dance with their silver at worlds in March. Might the 30-year Olympic dry spell be next? ... Won Skate America for a third straight year, but had to pull out of their second Grand Prix, NHK Trophy, when Agosto pulled a groin muscle. Shouldn't be a problem at nationals. ... Put together a benefit show for tsunami relief on their own in February, raising $40,000.

MELISSA GREGORY and DENIS PETUKHOV: Two-time U.S. silver medalists. ... Making progress on the international scene, moving up one spot to 11th at worlds. Won their second Grand Prix medal this season, finishing third at Skate Canada. Also were fourth at Cup of Russia. ... Petukhov, who was born in Russia but came to the United States after he met Gregory, became a U.S. citizen in February. ... Don't be surprised if you don't recognize her this year. After years as a blond, she's a brunette.

MORGAN MATTHEWS and MAXIM ZAVOZIN: Two-time U.S. junior champs were fifth at first senior nationals last year, but should make a jump. ... Following in Belbin-Agosto's footsteps, won world junior title last year. ... Were fifth at Cup of China and fourth at Trophee Eric Bompard. ... He recently became a citizen, making them eligible for the Olympics.

TIFFANY STIEGLER and SERGEY MAGEROVSKIY: Made an impressive showing at first nationals together, finishing fourth last year. ... Fifth at Nebelhorn Trophy and seventh at Skate America. ... Stiegler is a former pairs skater who won junior, novice and intermediate titles with brother Johnnie. Magerovskiy finished ninth at 2004 nationals with former partner and now wife Rebecca. ... Train with Belbin and Agosto.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Last modified January 7, 2006, 01:25:29]