The figure skaters who will represent the US in Pyeongchang have been selected!
The U.S. National Figure Skating Championships, held the first week of January in San Jose, had all the feels.
In the ladies’ competition, there were impressive skates from rising stars, including Bradie Tennell, who took ladies’ gold. Silver medalist Mirai Nagasu, who was left off the 2014 Olympic team, has battled back to the top of her sport thanks in part to the triple axel.
In ice dance, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue became first time national champions, out-skating superstar teams Chock and Bates and the Shibutanis.
In the men’s division reigning U.S. Champion Nathan Chen showed why he’ll be in the running for a medal in South Korea. And pairs skaters Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and her husband Chris Knierim, reclaimed their national title to become Team USA’s only pairs team.
With so many great programs it was hard to decide what to post, so I chose two skaters whom you won’t see in the Winter Olympics.
Ashley Wagner was expected to compete in Pyeongchang, but after finishing fourth at U.S. Nationals, was not chosen for the Olympic team.
https://youtu.be/jQJvLOnRaKs
Veteran men’s competitor Ross Miner’s free skate wasn’t loaded with quads but it was a joy to watch, and won him the silver medal.
https://youtu.be/_roGSuAbbJo
It’s a sad reminder that U.S. Figure Skating Nationals are not Olympic team trails, and that not every deserving skater achieves his or her dream.
I hope you enjoy watching their performances, and I also hope we haven’t seen the last of Ross or Ashley.
Can’t get enough figure skating? You’ll love my Red Hot Russians #FigureSkatingRomance series.

 
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