Kwan and Weir the People’s Choices, Marshalls U.S. Figure Skating Challenge Options

[SAW]

Kwan and Weir the Winners at Marshalls U.S. Figure Skating Challenge

By Susan Wessling

Michelle Kwan and Johnny Weir have clearly won over the hearts of skating fans. Despite less-than-stellar performances, the two reigning U.S. singles champions won the Marshalls U.S. Figure Skating Challenge held Dec. 11 at Agganis Arena in Boston. The event showcased eight of America’s top skaters, who faced their largest judging panel ever — over 100,000 fans. Broadcast live on ABC, the unique event gave skating fans in the arena and at home the chance to determine the outcome of the competition.

Kwan’s appearance was much anticipated as it marked her debut for the season. A nagging hip injury is still bothering the five-time World and nine-time U.S. champion. She began jumping only two weeks before the competition and appeared a little rusty. Kwan stumbled on a couple of jumps in both of her programs, but her spiral sequences were beautiful and she clearly was the people’s choice.

“That was a little hard for me,” Kwan said to the press after the event. “I did what I could. My hip is not the best right now.”

When asked if she was worried about her ability to compete at the U.S. Championships and Olympics, Kwan was candid. “I can’t change anything that’s happening,” she said. “This is my body. You want to push. This is my last hurrah. I deal with the pain and go on.”

Kwan did cast a hint of doubt about whether she would compete at the U.S. Championships, slated for early January. “I definitely want to be in better shape,” she said. “I have to use my time wisely. … At least I’m walking and skating. In fact, it feels better to skate than walk right now. My career is getting short. I’ll just have to listen to my body.”

But Kwan seemed happy to be back out on the ice. “I just wanted to get the chance to skate in front of an audience and get used to the lights,” she said. “From not spinning, not jumping, not doing anything, to going out there and performing, that was a big step for me.”

Clearly, the fans appreciated her effort. She won 47 percent of the vote in the first round and topped Sasha Cohen, who moved into the second round with 33 percent, after an elegant performance, in which she hit three clean triples. Emily Hughes and Alissa Czisny followed with 11 and 9 percent, respectively. Only the top two skaters advanced to the second round.

In round 2, Cohen performed a shortened version of her free skate to “Romeo and Juliet.” She recently had parts of the program re-choreographed by David Wilson. She skated flawlessly. Her spins and spirals were unmatched and her transitions and flow were equally impressive. She was selected over Kwan by the expert panel of three ABC judges: Peggy Fleming, Peter Carruthers and Dick Button. “Even though Michelle won, I’m glad they liked my performance,” she said. “At the end of the day, you have to be happy with the work you've done, and I was.”

In the opening round for the men’s competition, Weir came in first with 32 percent of the vote, while Michael Weiss finished second, compiling 27 percent of the vote. Matt Savoie and Timothy Goebel followed with 21 and 20 percent, respectively. But it was Savoie, who performed a beautiful and flawless program, who was the unanimous pick by the judges.

Weiss opened the show and played to the audience. He did a back flip with a full twist, a move he called a tornado. He later transitioned into another trick by standing on his head. Weir stumbled on a landing in his opening routine, but he skated an artistic and balletic program with smooth transitions that helped him stand out.

Weir seemed particularly nervous when facing the expert panel of judges in a format similar to “American Idol.” Button reminded all the skaters they were there to have fun, but it was clear that at least some of the skaters felt pressure skating in the unique show where the fans would determine the outcome

Weir needn’t have worried. In the second round, he reached back into the past and revived the exhibition program he did as a novice skater, to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. It was an elegant performance. He won by an overwhelming 64 percent of the vote in the final round to Weiss’ 36 percent.

Weiss skated a version of his short program for this season to Verdi’s “La Donne Mobile.” He threw in a backflip, which the audience appreciated.

A modest and genuine Weir actually seemed surprised by his popularity. “That was cool,” he said about the support he received from the audience who voted in the arena, on the internet and by text messages via cell phone. “I didn’t know what to expect. I figured I was not as well known. I don't think of myself as being popular. … I don’t think I’ll ever grasp what it’s like to be popular.”

A crowd of 4,150 watched the show at Agganis Arena and a total of 104,418 votes were cast throughout the show.


MARSHALLS U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHALLENGE RESULTS
Round 1
LADIES
1. Michelle Kwan: 47%
2. Sasha Cohen: 33%
3. Emily Hughes: 11%
4. Alissa Czisny: 9%
MEN
1. Johnny Weir: 32%
2. Michael Weiss: 27%
3. Matt Savoie: 21%
4. Timothy Goebel: 20%

Round 2
LADIES
1. Michelle Kwan: 59%
2. Sasha Cohen: 41%
MEN
1. Johnny Weir: 64%
2. Michael Weiss: 36%