Michelle Kwan, the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, is joining ABC ’s “Good Morning America” as a special correspondent to cover the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Kwan — a two-Olympic medalist, five-time World champion, and nine-time U.S. champion — will provide figure skating commentary and analysis as well as coverage of other news stories at the Games. Her first report for “Good Morning America” will air on Friday, Feb. 12.

ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the Emmy Award-winning morning news program featuring Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Sam Champion and Juju Chang, airs live Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m., ET on the ABC Television Network. Jim Murphy is the senior executive producer and Tom Cibrowski is the executive producer of ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Kwan is currently attending graduate school at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. while she continues to work as a public diplomacy envoy for the U.S. State Department. Kwan returned to the ice for the first time in three years as part of the “Ice All Stars 2009” cast in Korea last August.

To see ll of our TV Notes and our Media Guide, click HERE.

Photo above: Michelle Kwan and choreographer David Wilson at a practice session for “Ice All Stars 2009”; photo by Susan D. Russell

CHECK US OUT FACEBOOK. Become a Fan!

Two skating stars are in the news: Jennifer Robinson is a new mom and Yu-Na Kim is the focus of a new TV special.

And Baby Makes Three

Jennifer Robinson and husband Shane Dennison are new parents. Their first child, a girl, was born Feb. 2, 2010 at 6:12 a.m. at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ont. They named their daughter Reese McKenna Dennison,

"Reese decided not to wait and wanted to be part of the 2010 Games as a spectator. I was expecting her five weeks from now ... so this was a big surprise but a welcome one," said Robinson from her hospital room in Barrie.

"Both Jennifer and the baby are doing great," the proud new father added.

Robinson will travel o Vancouver, a week later than planned to fulfill her duties with CTV as a commentator for the Olympic Games ladies and ice dance figure skating events, according to her agent David Baden of IMG.

"This is such a happy time in our lives, Shane and I were anxious to have a child and holding her in my arms is a feeling I cannot begin to describe," Robinson said.

Robinson, Dennison and their new child will spend one week at home for the week and then it is back to business. Robinson will thenmake the trip to Vancouver with her family for the 2010 Olympics Games where she will be working for CTV. Robinson's mother, Louise Robinson, will accompany the family to Vancouver.

Robinson, a six-time Canadian champion, plans to resume her work with Rogers TV and to skating once she returns home in March, Baden said.

Photo at top: Robinson, Dennison and their daughter; Courtesy IMG

Discovery Channel Special For Yu-Na Kim

Discovery Asia will feature a special on 2009 World champion Yu-Na Kim later this month. "Hip Korea: Yu-Na Kim -- Seoul Spirit" will premieres on the Discovery Channel South East Asia on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. and on Discovery Channel North Asia on March 9 at 10 p.m.

The show will take a look into Kim's life to reveal why she is Korea's golden girl. Still in her teens, the South Korean superstar is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest figure skaters in history. Kim has become a symbol of grace and triumph for people of her generation in Asia. Discovery Channel's "Hip Korea: Yu-Na Kim -- Seoul Spirit" traces her journey across continents from her home in Korea, to her training base in Toronto, Canada, as she prepares for the season's trials.

A lifetime of tenacity and determination paid off for Kim when she clinched the ladies crown at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships, the first Korean to ever do so. Just 19 year old, she is already regarded as a national hero.

In the capital city of Seoul, Kim's influence as a role model for the growing power of Korean women extends beyond the ice skating rink. Through interviews with Korea's first astronaut So-Yeon Yi and the hottest new girl-group 2NE1, the special will outline how Kim is seen as a leader of a hip young generation of Korean women who are coming of age in the 21st century.

"Hip Korea: Yu-Na Kim -- Seoul Spirit" also looks at how the sport of figure skating is being transformed. With the advancements in modern sports science, coaches and athletes like Kim are able to gain unprecedented insight into training methods and further enhance athletic performance. The program takes viewers into the heart of Seoul, where Kim participated in an ice-skating performance alongside world-renowned stars, and offers passionate fans a firsthand look at her latest moves.

Hip Korea is a broadcast initiative by Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The series is a co-production with Bang Singapore Pte Ltd.

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK. Become a fan!

Reporting by Lisa Metzger/Susan D. Russell

Olympic fever has gripped Canada. For some of the nation's former Olympians, the excitement level has reached an all-time high. Elizabeth Manley, the 1988 Olympic silver medalist, is no exception.

What do the 2010 Oympic Winter Games mean to you?

For me, the 2010 Games revamp so many incredible moments and bring back so many memories.

I am sitting here talking to you 22 years after the 1988 Calgary Olympics but it feels like yesterday. The experience is something you carry with you for the rest of your life – so many great memories.

What did it mean to you to run with the Olympic torch?

It really hit me when I was asked to run with the torch but when I actually ran with the torch is when it really kicked in. It really hit me – what an experience. I ran with the torch in the town of Almonte, shortly after Barbara Ann Scott. Running on the same day as my idol in figure skating was amazing. I got to spend some time with Barbara Ann on December 13 in Ottawa.

I did not think emotionally it was going to hit me as much as it did, but as soon as I started running I got all choked up.

Did you get to run with the torch before the 1988 Olympic Winter Games?

I did not get to run before the Calgary Olympics. My coach did not want anything to disrupt my training. He wanted me to avoid anything that reflected I had no confidence, or stuff like that.

How would you rank your performance at the 1988 Canadian nationals?

I won nationals before I went to the Games and it was probably one of the worst skates of my life. Same thing for Brian Orser. We always joke about it. I am pretty sure Brian would say we had the best short programs of our lives but the worst long programs of our careers.

What will you be doing at the 2010 Games?

I will be part of the CTV commentating crew and that just makes me feel so alive. I feel like I am going to be part of the Olympics again. You know they say ‘once an Olympian always an Olympian’ so for me to go back to the Games, especially in Canada…the last Olympics CTV covered was the Calgary Games so to have the opportunity to be part of the 2010 Games with that team has revamped so many memories. It is so exciting. It is everything you could ever dream about.

What advice have you given to the Olympic athletes?

I have worked with some of the skaters on the team and you know, even if they not medal contenders, I have told them this is a once in a lifetime experience and you have to embrace every single minute of it. Enjoy the memory because it lasts forever. It really does.

When you watched the Olympic hopefuls compete at the 2010 Canadian Championships what did you feel?

I still feel the stress when I see skaters who seem to have the nerves happening. When Jeremy Ten had what was probably the worst skate of his life and I saw his heart break and I saw the emotional let down and disappointment and I felt all that because I have been there too. As a former athlete, being around all of these young athletes and being back at Canadians it ignites all the memories.

What do you remember from your two Olympic experiences?

I did not get to experience much at either of the Olympics I competed at. In Sarajevo, I tried, but I was a little young and it was hard to get around. At the 1988 Games, I flew out to Calgary for the opening ceremonies and then flew back to Ottawa to continue training. The ladies event was the last at those Olympics and I just felt that if I stayed out there for the whole time that my focus would not stay intact. I was very sick so I was trying to get healthy.

What advice do you have for the 2010 Olympians?

When I talked to some of the skaters who are going like Patrick Chan and Joannie Rochette, I said the number one thing they have to remember – and it is going to be the hardest thing to do because the Olympics are in Canada and there are so many friends and family there – is they have to be selfish. They have to stick to their game plan; they have to treat it no differently than any other event, which is very difficult to do when it is at home. I kind of joke with them that mom and dad will completely understand if you cannot make it for lunch because they are going to have everyone calling them.

What is your advice to the families of the 2010 Canadian Olympians?

My number one piece of advice to families is to try to understand your child’s job, what they are there for and what they are doing. Families want to be there to embrace the moment with their child and to experience the moment with them but sometimes it becomes a guilt thing for the athlete. I avoided that in Calgary. I came home and just stayed in my own routine.

One of the big questions I have been asked this year is ‘what do you think of Joannie not having such a great year (internationally)?’ It is not about the competitions that happened all season – it is about what is going to happen in Vancouver. This year I have not paid too much attention to results because it has all been just a warm-up; everyone is all over the place; they have to peak at the right time.

Where is your 1988 Olympic silver medal?

You know, I kept my Olympic medal in a safety deposit box for a long time but when I moved back to Canada from the U.S., suddenly it was like the 1988 Olympics happened yesterday! Everyone wanted to see the medal so I have had it out a lot – that is all I am going to say. Where I keep my medal these days is a secret.

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK. Become a fan!

By Rob Brodie

Everywhere he goes these days, Jeffrey Buttle knows he’ll keep hearing the question. And even with the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver just days away, the answer is as clear as ever in his mind.

“I definitely made the right decision,” Buttle said recently when asked if he had any second thoughts about his retirement from eligible skating in September 2008 — less than two years away from an Olympics in his home country. “I’m looking forward to being there, but I’m definitely ready to move on.”

That Buttle can maintain that approach as Olympic fever continues to build across Canada adds a further exclamation point behind his statement. Even if he does admit he understands why Canadian fans of his sport wish the 2008 World men’s champion was still in the game for Vancouver 2010.


“The only way I can describe it is the location of the Olympics shouldn’t be the motivation for you to go the Olympics,” said Buttle, the bronze medalist at the 2006 Winter Games in Torino. “If I were to go, it would be to win and I really didn’t have the drive or the need to go and get the gold medal. I decided that pretty much answered it for me. If I don’t have the drive or the need than the rest is not going to be worth it.”

Buttle will skate during the Games and it’ll even be in Vancouver — he’ll perform for sponsors on an outdoor rink at the GE Plaza — but other than that, he plans to wave the red and white maple leaf at as many events as he can as a fan.

For someone whose life has been consumed by either competing or touring at this time of year, it’s a rare treat. “At the last Games, I saw a little bit [of other Olympic events] but not a lot. Now I can just wander and enjoy it,” said the 27-year-old native of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont. “It’ll be a completely different experience from the one I had in Torino. I was there to do a job, and I was very focused. I saw nothing and talked to no one until my competition was over.

“Now I’m just going to socialize, I’m going to walk around and I’m going to be [a regular fan]. If I can’t get a ticket to an event, I’ll go to a pub, have a beer and watch the event there.”


At the recent Canadian Championships in London, Ont., Buttle had the chance to see another side of life from the other side of the boards. He’s caught the choreography bug in a big way and had six skaters performing programs he designed during the junior and novice competitions.

If Buttle has his way, choreography will continue to be a major part of his skating life when he’s not part of the cast of Stars on Ice or other shows. “I love doing that kind of work,” he said. “Even when I was competing, I would always love doing that choreographic process.

“To be involved in the other side is very interesting to me. … When I’m doing tours and shows, it doesn’t require quite the [time] commitment that a coach would have to have. It’s perfect for me.”

He also enjoys having the opportunity to help young skaters become passionate about skating. “Those are the skaters that end up staying in it the longest,” he said.

The return to London was “nostalgic” for Buttle — the John Labatt Centre, the host venue for the 2010 nationals, happens to be the place where he won his first of three straight Canadian titles in 2005.

Officially, Skate Canada brought him to the event in an “ambassador” capacity, which involved autograph sessions and plenty of time spent with fans. And yes, he was ready to field a certain question from them all.

“I do get it quite a lot,” Buttle said about the Vancouver Olympic query. “They say ‘I’m sorry you’re gone.’ But I’m not gone. I’m right here. I’m still alive. But I understand what they’re saying and I appreciate it, I really do.”

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK. Become a fan!

I kicked off my 2010 Olympic Winter Games adventure at a gala event at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club (TCSCC) on Friday night that honored some of Canada’s finest Olympians.

My invitation to this fabulous pre-Olympic bash came courtesy of Joyce Hisey. The former judge, ISU referee and technical delegate who attended more international competitions than she probably cares to remember is one of the TCSCC Heritage Committee members.

Mrs. Hisey was also the figure skating chairman of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, which is ironic, given that Brian Orser and Tracy Wilson, two medalists from those Games, are now the skating directors at the Cricket Club.

The Heritage Committee put together some fabulous displays of Olympic memorabilia. It was nice to see my photo of Jeff Buttle with his Olympic bronze medal from the 2006 Games included. Thank you Skate Canada archivist Emery Leger.

So many of my favorite people were there. Brian, Tracy, David Wilson, Sheldon Galbraith, Donald Jackson, Barbara Wagner, Robert Paul, Ellen and Petra Burka, Karen Preston, Donald Knight...

David invited John Zimmerman, who was in Toronto working with Shae-Lynn Bourne on new programs for the upcoming reality show “Thin Ice.” Made my day.

John spent an interesting half hour listening to Mr. Galbraith and Bob Paul’s skating stories from the past. John was picking up coaching tips. He works with an Italian pairs team that will go to Worlds in March.

Val Bezic (brother of Sandra) gave us a tour of the 1972 Olympic display. He and his sister competed at those Games.

Karen brought her adorable daughter, Lindsay. I had not seen Marcus Christensen in eons. Barbara Wagner had her 1960 Olympic gold medal with her. We wondered how she wore it around her neck because it has no place for a lanyard.

One of my highlights was seeing Lorna Wighton again. She was one of the first people I met when I came to Canada for a Christmas vacation in 1977.



International Figure Skating (IFS) senior and photo editor Susan. D. Russell will be reporting live from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Russell covered the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino and has traveled the globe, covering major figure skating competitions and gala events for many years.

"Susan is an amazing photographer and a terrific writer," IFS editor in chief Susan Wessling said. "We are thrilled to have a professional journalist with her immense experience covering the Games for us in Vancouver. The Olympic Games not only showcases the best athletes on the planet, but also the best photographers and journalists in the world. Susan D. Russell is clearly among those ranks."

Bookmark this LINK and check back daily to read about Russell's adventures, thoughts and reflections live from the Games. Get ready for some fun photos in her blog, on our website and on our Facebook page.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.

Flatt Among those Honored for Academic Excellence

Rachael Flatt is a member of the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Scholastic Honors Team for the second straight year. The team is comprised of 10 of U.S. Figure Skating's brightest and most talented athletes who shine both on the ice and in the classroom. Every athlete in this year's class has been named to the honor roll, won academic honors and/or is an honor society member.

The team was honored during an on-ice ceremony at the 2010 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Wash. The competition set an audience record, surpassing the previous mark set at the 2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, an event widely considered the most successful U.S. Figure Skating Championships to date.

Attendance for this year's 10-day event totaled 158,170, besting the 154,389 that passed through the Spokane Arena turnstiles in 2007.

The scholastic honors team program, which started in 1996, was created by U.S. Figure Skating to recognize high school athletes who excel in their academic pursuits, in their community involvement and in the sport of figure skating. More than 1,100 skaters have applied for the scholarship since its inception, with 158 team members selected.

The award is available to U.S. Figure Skating members of all disciplines who are juniors or seniors at an accredited high school. They must be full-time students with a grade point average of 3.4 or higher and have competed at the novice, junior or senior level during the past two years. Candidates submit an application and an essay, which are reviewed by a panel that selects the team.

The 2010 team members are (in alpahabetical order):

Lauri Bonacorsi is a junior at River Hill High School in Clarksville, Md., where she is a straight-A student enrolled in AP and honors classes. A member of Peninsula Figure Skating Club, Bonacorsi and partner Travis Mager won novice gold at the 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships and bronze at their Junior Grand Prix Series debut in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Bonacorsi has been on the honor roll every semester of high school and will be inducted into the National Honor Society in March. She is a D.C.-area Capitol Debate Team medalist and won a 2009 Baltimore Urban League Debate Tournament speaker award. Bonacorsi is a recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Achievement as well as a two-time winner of superior ratings in piano from the National Federation of Music Festivals. A member of Team USA, Bonacorsi volunteers with Special Olympics and with “Success in Style,” a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged and homeless women re-enter the work force.

Priscella Chan is a senior at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, Calif. Chan competes in Theatre On Ice (TOI) for the Pasadena Figure Skating Club, where she is president of the junior board and a member of the Los Angeles Ice Theater. She won gold at the 2009 International TOI Competition and the 2009 U.S. TOI Competition. Chan will represent the United States at the 2010 World TOI Championships in Toulouse, France. She is on her school’s honor roll and is a National Merit semifinalist. She is a recipient of the College Board AP Scholar with Distinction Award, the Smith College Book Award and the 2006 GATES Music Award.

Chan founded the Music Mentors Program to assist middle school music students. She is the communications coordinator for the Ambassadors Council and is a peer mentor. Chan is part of the Upper School Orchestra, the Oakleaves yearbook staff, the Academic Quiz Bowl Team, the Polytechnic Madrigals Choir and the speech and debate team. She has volunteered with Ronald McDonald House, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the City of Hope’s Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer, and at a special needs school and the Arcadia Public Library.

Scott Dyer will graduate this spring from The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland in Baltimore. Dyer placed fourth at the 2007 U.S. Championships in the novice division and won the junior pewter medal at the 2010 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a Williams Scholar, a Maryland Distinguished Scholar and is on the dean’s list and Effort honor roll.

Dyer received the Presidents Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, the Brian Christopher Campbell Scholarship and the American History Award. Dyer founded and is president of the Boys’ Latin School Habitat for Humanity Club, and is the leader of the Gardens Ice House X-treme Cardio Team. He has volunteered in the Abilities Network fundraiser at the Baltimore Zoo, as a Special Olympics ice skating instructor and with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Maryland.

Rachael Flatt, the 2010 U.S. ladies champion, is a senior at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she is an AP Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, a Letter and Bar Recipient, and is on the Principal’s Honor Roll. Flatt is the recipient of the 2008 Athlete Excellence Award, was selected to the 2008 National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine, and is a member of the Broadmoor Rotarian Club. This is her second time to be selected to the Scholastic Honors Team.

Flatt has participated in Skate for Hope in support of breast cancer research and education, the American Cancer Society’s Blades for the Cure, Breakfast of Champions and Band Together, and is the spokesperson for Reading is Fundamental. Flatt represented the Broadmoor Skating Club at the 2009 AT&T U.S. Championships, where she earned the silver medal. She placed fifth at the 2009 World Championships and helped Team USA win gold at the 2009 World Team Trophy. Flatt is the 2008 World junior champion and the 2008 U.S. silver medalist. She won silver at the 2007 Junior Grand Prix Final.

Alexa Komnick will graduate from Barrington High School in Barrington, Ill., this spring. A member of the Chicago Figure Skating Club, Komnick helped her team, Chicago Jazz, win the junior bronze medal at the 2009 French Cup and the junior silver medal at the 2009 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. The team placed sixth at the 2009 World Synchronized Skating Challenge Cup for Juniors.

Komnickis a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, Class Board 2010, the school newspaper, Student Ambassadors and Reality – a drug and alcohol-free club. Komnick is on the Colts Leadership Team, the Code Red Leadership Group and is an officer on the Orchesis Dance Team. She volunteers at St. Alexius Medical Center and officiates for the Barrington Area Soccer Association.

Valerie Ludorf is a senior at Hopkinton High School in Hopkinton, Mass. As a member of the Lexettes at Hayden Recreation Centre Figure Skating Club, Ludorf helped her team win the bronze medal in the junior ranks at the 2009 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. Off the ice, Ludorf is the founder of her school’s Walk for Hunger team and is an editor for her school’s literary magazine. She qualified and competed at the State Science Fair at MIT, was selected to the Spanish Honor Society three consecutive years, and was chosen by her teachers to be the recipient of the Bryant University Book Award.

Ludorf is the secretary of her region’s Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Junior Board and fundraises for UNICEF and Project Bread annually. She volunteers with her skating team, church youth group and National Honors Society. In 2007, Ludorf helped organize and performed in “An Evening for Iveta” benefit show to honor her coach, who was battling leukemia.

Rachael Naphtal, a senior at Weston High School in Weston, Mass., has participated in synchronized skating for nine seasons, winning four national medals. Last year, she competed for the Colonials junior team, which finished fourth at the 2009 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, and represented U.S. Figure Skating internationally as part of Team USA. This season, Naphtal skates on Team Excel junior. She is a National Hispanic Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction and earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT college entrance examination.

Naphtal has achieved High Honor Roll status throughout her high school career and has received several departmental Letters of Commendation. In 2007, Naphtal was named Center Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth and was granted a three-year scholarship and summer research position at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. As three-time student co-chair and backstage operations manger of the Skating Club of Boston’s annual "Ice Chips" show, she has raised funds for Children’s Hospital Boston and Project Bridge for the Homeless.

Marimo Shioda is a member of the Colonial FSC and finished sixth in the junior division at the 2009 New England Regional. A member of the National Honor Society, she will graduate this spring from Hudson High School in Hudson, Mass. In school, Shioda is a Horace Mann High Honor Roll student and acts as a facilitator of student-led school discussions as a member of the Leadership Interest Group. She earned first place at the 2008 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair.

This year, Shioda received the Wellesley College Book Award, qualified as an AP Scholar with Honor, and was named a National Merit semifinalist. Shioda was also awarded with a Student Achievement Award for her efforts both inside and outside the classroom. She has worked with autistic children, teaching them to skate and organizing a skating show in to raise money for their school, the Nashoba Learning Group of Bedford, Mass.

Rebecca Stern is a senior at Sanford School in Hockessin, Del., where she has been on First Honor Roll every year. She is a member of the Cum Laude Society and the French National Honor Society, and participated in the school’s chorus and newspaper, and the Students for Barack Obama Club. As a volunteer, Stern helped coach young skaters at a University of Delaware seminar. After her father passed away from leukemia, she organized three skate-a-thons benefitting the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, raising a total of $35,000.

As a member of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, Stern placed fourth in the junior division at the 2008 South Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championships and eighth as a junior at the 2009 event. She finished ninth as a junior at the 2008 U.S. Championships. This season, she finished fifth as a senior lady at the Eastern Sectional Championships.

Kevin Sun will graduate from Newark High School in Newark, Del., this spring. During his freshman and sophomore years, Sun was a member of the Cambridge Program, through which he won the 2008 Brilliance Award. He was elected president pro-tempore of the Delaware Boys’ State Program Senate. Sun was also elected pro-temp speaker of the House in Youth in Government, in which he served as committee chair for the past two years, and served as committee clerk at the Conference on National Affairs 2009.

Sun has been a part of his school’s Math League team, winning second place at district competition. He is also involved in Model United Nations. Sun placed sixth at the 2008 South Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championships and fifth at the event in 2009. He has volunteered as a broadcaster at the Delaware Chinese American Community Center Chinese Festival for the past two years, and participated as a featured skater in the Edge Out Cancer Ice Show in 2006 and 2007. Sun is also treasurer of the Young Democrats Movement.

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK. Become a fan!

Adam Rippon of the United States rallied from seventh after the short program to win the men's title at the 2010 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, which concluded today in Jeonju, South Korea.

Rippon of the United State scored a total of 225.78 to win his first ISU Championship title. “I was so emotional [after the free skate],” Rippon said, “because it’s been such an up-and-down year.”

Tatsuki Machida of Japan and Kevin Reynolds of Canada came in second and third, respectively.

Performing to “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra” by Samuel Barbe for his free skate, Rippon scored a personal best 156.22 points. He reeled off two triple Axels and five other clean triples, including his trademark triple Lutz with both arms raised over his head. His spins and footwork were superiors as well. His only miscue was a cheated triple Salchow.

The two-time and reigning World junior champion said it was rewarding to win the title, especially after a poor showing in the short program. “I did my best to just forget about what I’ve done earlier this week. … I did my best to get all the levels I could,” he said. “Every spin I was trying to hold, I was landing all the jumps and I was like “OK, all the jumps are over, but you’re still so many points behind, you need all these levels.’ I think so far this is probably my strongest performance in competition.”

Sixth after the short program, Machida also climbed up the ranking to earn a spot on the podium. “Today I felt a lot of pressure and so I’m glad with what I did,” he said. “I am very surprised about the result.”

Machida landed a triple Axel-triple toe loop combination and six more triples in his flawless routine to “Casablanca”. The 19-year-old earned 147.88 points, improving his previous best (117.69) by 30.19 points. His total score added up to 217.48 points.

Reynolds, in first place after the short program, scored 131.39 points for his long program and slipped to third with 212.99 points overall. He opened his program to a Led Zeppelin medley with a solid quadruple Salchow and hit five triple jumps, but the quadruple toe loop was under-rotated and he fell on a triple Axel attempt and a triple flip.

“Obviously I’m a little bit disappointed with my long program today. It wasn’t my best,” he said. “It was a good opening. Towards the end I kind of got stiff and some of the elements weren’t there, but I’m extremely happy with the short program. It was by far my best program. I can be happy with that and I can be happy that I held on for a bronze medal.”

Brandon Mroz of the United States was steady in both segments of the competition and laced foruth overall with fourth 212.68 points. In his free skate, he put his hand down on the quadruple toe loop and stumbled on some other jumps.

Ryan Bradley (USA) nailed two quadruple toe loops and was ranked third in the free skating to move up from eighth to fifth place (212.19).

The twelve medals at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships went to four ISU members. Canada and the USA claimed four medals each: one gold, one silver and two bronzes. Three medals — one gold and two silvers — went to Japan while China earned one gold medal.

To read aboutt the other disciplines click HERE.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.

Mao Asada of Japan rebounded from a disappointing short program to claim the gold medal in the ladies event at the 2010 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships being held in Jeonju, South Korea, this week. Japan’s Akiko Suzuki took the ladies silver medal and Caroline Zhang (USA) captured the bronze.

In ice dance, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada danced to their first gold medal in an ISU Championship. The silver went to Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno, also from Canada. Madison Hubbell and Keiffer Hubbell (USA) earned the bronze. It was the first medal at Four Continents for all three couples.

In the pairs event, Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang of China skated to the gold. Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker took the silver medal, and the bronze went to Canada’s Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin.

THE LADIES

“I am satisfied with today’s performance and I think it will be [a] good [step] towards the Olympic Games,” Asada said.

Third after the short program, Asada scored a season best 126.74 points for her free skate (68.58 element score/58.16 program component score) and an overall competition score of 183.96. It was the second time Asada won the Four Continents crown. She first earned the title in 2008.

Skating to “Bells of Moscow” by Sergei Rachmaninov, Asada nailed her two triple Axels as well as four triple jumps. She also performed difficult spins. “I am very happy that I tried two triple Axels, and to have done them will help me at the Olympic Games,” she said.

The leader after the short program, Suzuki performed a lively free skate to “Westside Story.” She landed six triple jumps. However, her Lutz was a bit shaky and she also popped a loop. With a score of 114.84 points (62.20/52.64), the reigning Grand Prix Final bronze medalist ranked second in the free skate and slipped to second overall with 173.72 points.

It was Suzuki’s first medal at an ISU Championship. She had finished eighth in her two previous appearances at Four Continents (in 2002 and '09). “This is the first time I was first after the short program in a [major] international event, but I didn’t want to think about that. I just wanted to perform 'Westside Story.' I missed one jump, and there were some little mistakes, but stayed focused until the end. That was good,” the 24-year-old said.

Zhang completed five clean triples and strong spins in her routine to “The Nutcracker.” Her only mistake came when she stumbled on an under-rotated triple Lutz. The 16-year-old earned 105.68 points (56.80/48.88) and fought her way onto the podium with 160.58 points.

“I think it was a pretty good overall performance. The mistake on the Lutz was surprising and confusing. I didn’t even rotate at all,” she said. “That could have been a lot better, but I’m really happy with how I placed here. I didn’t expect to be so high. It’s a pretty good comeback after how I skated at nationals (where she placed 11th). I didn’t expect any international assignments after nationals. I tried to make the best out of the opportunity and I think I did pretty well.”

Amanda Dobbs (USA) dropped to fourth after falling on a triple flip attempt (158.23 points). Haruka Imai completed a successful day for team Japan by finishing fifth in her international senior-level debut (155.29 points).

ICE DANCE

Weaver and Poje delivered a passionate performance to “Phantom of the Opera.” The program was highlighted by beautiful lifts. The Canadians were awarded a season best 85.07 points and stayed on top with a total of 166.16.

They stepped on to the podium at an ISU Championship for the first time since they took the bronze at the 2007 ISU World Junior Championships in their first year as a team.

“We were very happy with our free dance today. Our goal coming into the free dance was to have a joyous performance and try to overlook anything that felt off,” Weaver said. “We just wanted to show this program the best we could [since it is] the last time we will be doing it for an audience. I think we accomplished that. We also raised our technical mark from yesterday, and that was also a thought throughout the program.”

Hann-McCurdy and Coreno danced to “La Strada.” They gave a crisp performance to score 81.46 points, which was a season best as well. Overall, they accumulated 159.56 points.

“I just have to thank the fans today, because right from the start of our program they got into it and they started clapping along. I can’t tell you how much that helps. The energy was high,” Coreno explained.

Hubbell and Hubbell produced an upbeat dance to a medley of songs byLenny Kravitz. "It felt like a great way to end the [senior] season. I think we’re just excited to go into our next events,” Madison Hubbell said.

Keiffer Hubbell stumbled on the synchronized twizzles, but the brother-and-sister team nevertheless earned a season best 77.69 points and grabbed the bronze medal with a total of 154.20 points (they ranked fourth in the free dance).

“We just wanted to skate our program well and I think I did that. I had a mistake in the twizzles, but other than that it was a strong skate for us,” Keiffer Hubbell said.

Xintong Huang and Xun Zheng (CHN) slipped to fourth. They had two deductions -- one for a fall Huang took and on an extended lift (150.38 points). The reigning World Jjunior champions Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein (USA) came in fifth (148.92 points).

THE PAIRS

Zhang and Zhang gave a season best performance to “Sheherazade.” “We’re very happy to have won with a good performance today and we hope this will us help at the Olympic Games,” Dan Zhang said.

Their routine featured a double Axel-triple toe loop combination, side-by-side triple Salchows, big triple throws and difficult lifts. The reigning World silver medalists earned 126.36 points (69.00 element score/57.36 program component score) and won their second Four Continents title with a total of 192.22 points.

“The Olympic Games are coming up soon and this competition was a very important practice for us,” Dan Zhang said. “Hopefully we’ll skate even better in Vancouver.”

Skating to the “Slumdog Millionaire” soundtrack, McLaughlin and Brubaker earned 105.61 points (53.85/53.76) and scored 170.17 points overall. “I thought our program was OK today.,” McLaughlin said. “We had two major mistakes, but I’m glad that we kept the component side of the program up, and the things we did, we did well. I’m happy that we were able to fight through.”

The Americans completed a triple twist, double Axel and throw triple Salchow, but also had to overcome two errors when she fell on their side-by-side Salchow and the throw triple loop.. “This competition is pretty hard for us, making a quick turn-around from nationals (where the placed fifth after winning the title in 2008, and ’09), and we are constantly reminded that we are not on the (Olympic) team. We wanted to come here and show what we are made of,” McLaughlin said.

Duhamel and Buntin were ranked fourth in the free skate with 101.12 points (51.80/50.32), but overall held on to third place at 158.02 points. “We had few pretty big technical mistakes,” Buntin admitted.

The Canadians aborted a lift midway through the routine and she missed the throw triple Lutz in their program to a selection of music by Pierre Porte. They did have some nice highlights as well, including a triple toe-triple toe sequence to open the routine. They also hit a solid throw triple loop “Aside from the technical mistakes we’re proud of ourselves for being able to get up from each one and keep going through the program and perform the way we did,” Buntin said. “We’re happy with our fight out there.”

Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin came in fourth (157.49 points), just edged out of the podium and Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran (JPN) were fifth (151.83 points).

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.

As the family held a wake for Daniel Kerrigan, the father of two-time Olympic medalists Nancy Kerrigan, a family spokesman read a statement, describing him as a loving family man who was well respected in the community.

Daniel Kerrigan, 70, died on Sunday hours after a violent confrontation with his eldest son, Mark Kerrigan, at their Stoneham, Mass. home. Reportedly drunk at the time, Mark Kerrigan, 45, allegedly attacked his father in the early morning hours.

Mark Kerrigan was charged with assault Tuesday in Woburn District Court and entered a plea of not guilty. Further charges could be added, say authorities, pending autopsy results.

Mark Kerrigan has been ordered held on $10,000 cash bond and was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. He has denied any responsibility for his father’s death.

The media was alerted today that Nancy Sterling, spokeswomen for the Kerrigan family, would be making a statement on behalf of the family regarding the loss of Daniel Kerrigan. Sterling read a prepared statement (Jan. 27) at 4 p.m. as the wake for the Kerrigan family patriarch began.

A media area was set up on Linden Street, near the Barile Funeral Home which is handling the funeral arrangements.

“This is a statement from the Kerrigan family,” Sterling said. “ I’ll be reading it on their behalf, but not taking any questions. The family has decided to issue this statement because they wanted those of you in the media, and the general public to know who Dan Kerrigan truly was.

"Dan Kerrigan was first and foremost a man whose family was the center of his world. He had three children: Nancy, Michael and Mark, and eight grandchildren. He saw his grandchildren all the time and was a major part of their lives. Nancy and her three children were at her parents’ house virtually every day of the year. She describes her dad as an “extra parent” along with her and her husband Jerry. Dan’s children say that “grandpa” put their children back to sleep better than anyone they know.

“His life revolved around helping his beloved wife of 47 years, Brenda, with the everyday tasks which challenged her because she is legally blind.

“Dan Kerrigan was the kind of guy who lived two houses away from his mother-in-law and was not only happy about it, but called her “ma”.

“He coached his two sons’ teams in youth hockey and was president of the Stoneham Figure Skating Club.

“Dan was born in nearby Woburn where he attended Woburn High School and played football. He recently had a reunion at the YMCA with a bunch of Woburn buddies and virtually everyone in the room knew him. A woman came up to him and told him that she always remembered him because he was the only one who would dance with her at the prom.

“He was the kind of person who not only kept in touch with his friends from high school, but saw them regularly, at least once a month.

“He was a person with a great sense of humor who loved to tease people and joke with them and make them laugh.

“Dan worked multiple jobs to support his family and his daughter’s skating career. He was at the skating rink with Nancy every morning at 5 a.m. After two years of this, the people who owned the rink said, “Hey, you want to learn the Zamboni and open up for us?” And he did!

“He was the youngest of nine children, but the one whom all the older ones went to for help.

“Dan was the kind of guy who loved gardening and enjoyed fixing things for people. If he came to your house and a doorknob was broken, he would not only point out that it was broken, but fix it for you on the spot.

“Nancy described her father as: “my support . He was there behind me always.’

“Michael remembered: ‘I was virtually unable to go anywhere, as a kid or an adult, without someone coming up to me and saying, with a big smile, I just saw your dad; he’s the greatest.’

“Thank you from the Kerrigan family and thank you for respecting their privacy.”

Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan has been struck by tragedy. Her father Daniel, 70, died Sunday at an area hospital after a violent confrontation with his eldest son at their Stoneham, Mass. home.

Authorities allege that the two-time Olympic medalist’s brother, Mark Kerrigan, attacked his father early that morning. Mark Kerrigan was reportedly drunk at the time; the attack allegedly occurred when his father refused to let him use the phone.

Yesterday in Woburn District Court, Kerrigan was charged with assaulting his father. He pled not guiliy. Further charges could be added, pending an autopsy Mark Kerrigan, 45, has been ordered held on $10,000 cash bond; he has been sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

A U.S. Army veteran, Daniel Kerrigan is survived by his wife Brenda M. (Schultz) Kerrigan, sons Mark Kerrigan and Michael Kerrigan and Michael's wife Cindy; his daughter Nancy Kerrigan Solomon and her husband, Jerry; eight grandchildren; as well as several brothers and sisters; and nieces and nephews.

The Kerrigan family has only commented on the family patriarch’s death. “Dan Kerrigan was a wonderful husband for 47 years, a caring and loving father to his daughter Nancy and two sons, Michael and Mark, and a grandfather of eight," said Nancy Sterling, the Kerrigan family spokesperson. "He was a valued and beloved member of the Stoneham community. The family’s focus is on mourning Dan and honoring his life and many contributions. At this time we ask that their privacy be respected.”

Mark Kerrigan is an Army veteran who has battled substance abuse and mental illness for many years. He was released from prison in November after serving more than two years for punching his then-wife in the face and threatening her with a knife (the two divorced in 2006).

The Funeral Mass for Daniel Kerrigan will be held Thursday in Stoneham. Donations in his memory may be made to the Special Olympics Mass Chapter, Yawkey Sports Training Center, 512 Forest St., Marlborough, MA 01752. To send a memorial condolence go to www.barilefuneral.com.