by Jennifer Macon-Steele

Created on: January 24, 2010

All eyes in the US Figure Skating world were on the US National Figure Skating Championships last night (January 23rd, 2010) when the ladies skated their hearts out for the championship.

 Rachel Flatt came back from a third place finish in her short program to become the US National Women’s Figure Skating champion. The 17-year-old from Colorado skating a nearly technically perfect program that was also emotional and beautiful.

 In second place was Mirai Nagasu from California. She has insisted all week that she is the future of figure skating, but last night she proved that she is figure skating right now.

 These two teens will compete on the US Olympic team in Vancouver in February. Either one could be a contender for a medal.

 In pairs US figure skating championships, the United States is sending 16-year-old Caydee Denny and her partner, 25-year-old Jeremy Barret. Denny began her career as a singles skater but decided to compete with Barret in pairs in 2009. This is a young team, but they have proven that they are special after beating reigning champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker last weekend in Spokane.

 The other pairs team to go to the 2010 Olympics is Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig. McLaughlin and Brubaker will be second alternates to the 2010 US Olympic pairs team.

Jeremy Abbott, Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir will represent the United States in the Men's figure skating competition at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Abbott gave a stunning performance at the 2010 National Figure Skating Championships, beating favorites to capture the title.

For the first time, the United States has gold medal contenders in ice dancing. Meryl Davis and Charlie White proved that they are the ones to beat as they took first place at the US Figure Skating Championships.

 Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto were the favorites and could definitely win gold in Vancouver. Previously the United States has not been considered strong in ice dancing, and judges have a tendency to be prejudiced against them. Either Davis and White or Belbin and Agosto have the ability to win at the Olympics if the judges will give them a chance.

 The Olympics are right around the corner now. The pressure is on, and the athletes are looking to February.

 The United States has some very strong talent  in figure skating this year and could certainly medal in the men’s, women’s, pairs or ice dancing competitions.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Macon-Steele.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.