Alissa Czisny Wins Title 2, Rachael Flatt Will Also Go To Worlds

This picture of Alissa Czisny says it all.

AP Photo/Bob Leverone

No one can argue this Alissa Czisny nationals victory. The elegant twenty-three year old skated brilliantly in both the short and long programs to win US Nationals for the second time in her career. Despite a number of shaky landings in her long program, Rachael Flatt pulled up to second place. The two women will represent the US at the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Mirai Nagasu finished third, while Agnes Zawadaki won the pewter medal

2011 US Nationals Final Results

1 21 Alissa Czisny, Detroit SC 2 62.50 1 128.74 191.24
2 23 Rachael Flatt, Broadmoor SC 3 62.32 2 121.06 183.38
3 22 Mirai Nagasu, Pasadena FSC 1 63.35 3 113.91 177.26
4 19 Agnes Zawadzki, Broadmoor SC 4 61.54 4 112.30 173.84
5 20 Christina Gao, Northern Kentucky SC 5 58.43 6 108.77 167.20
6 17 Ashley Wagner, SC of Wilmington 7 54.63 5 110.73 165.36
7 18 Vanessa Lam, All Year FSC 6 57.61 7 105.30 162.91
8 15 Yasmin Siraj, SC of Boston 8 49.91 8 102.56 152.47
9 14 Joelle Forte, SC of New York 12 47.03 9 102.25 149.28
10 9 Melissa Bulanhagui, University of Delaware FSC 15 45.36 11 99.17 144.53
11 6 Kristiene Gong, All Year FSC 17 44.12 10 99.18 143.30
12 13 Caroline Zhang, All Year FSC 10 48.48 12 92.47 140.95
13 8 Kelsey Traunero, SC of Wilmington 18 42.28 13 86.02 128.30
14 12 Alexe Gilles, Broadmoor SC 11 47.75 16 76.00 123.75
15 11 Kristine Musademba, Washington FSC 13 46.94 15 76.59 123.53
16 7 Ellie Kawamura, All Year FSC 16 45.19 14 76.75 121.94
17 16 Morgan Bell, Rocky Mountain FSC 9 49.73 20 69.84 119.57
18 10 Danielle Kahle, All Year FSC 14 45.87 19 71.74 117.61
19 3 Keli Zhou, SC of Oregon 19 41.38 17 74.21 115.59
20 4 Katy Jo West, Rocky Mountain FSC 21 40.07 18 72.74 112.81
21 5 Raina Narita, SC of New York 22 33.75 21 60.79 94.54
22 1 Tatyana Khazova, Broadmoor SC 23 26.58 22 58.91 85.49
WD Felicia Zhang, SC of New York 20 41.23

Sarah Meier Wins European Gold, Koster - Silver, Korpi - Bronze

"It was the competition of my life. It makes it easier for me to move on with the rest of my life."

Sarah Meier - January 29, 2011

Yuri Kadobnov AFP Getty Images

Carolina Koster (silver), Sarah Meier (Gold), Kiira Korpi Bronze

2011 European Ladies Podium

AP Photo/Keystone/Peter Schneider

2011 European Ladies Final Results

1 Sarah MEIER SUI 170.60 3 2
2 Carolina KOSTNER ITA 168.54 6 1
3 Kiira KORPI FIN 166.40 1 4
4 Ksenia MAKAROVA RUS 162.04 2 5
5 Alena LEONOVA RUS 154.31 13 3
6 Viktoria HELGESSON SWE 151.66 4 7
7 Ira VANNUT BEL 150.66 10 6
8 Elene GEDEVANISHVILI GEO 147.96 5 8
9 Mae Berenice MEITE FRA 138.74 7 10
10 Valentina MARCHEI ITA 137.44 8 14
11 Sarah HECKEN GER 137.43 9 12
12 Sonia LAFUENTE ESP 135.82 11 11
13 Gerli LIINAMÄE EST 133.73 16 9
14 Jenna MCCORKELL GBR 132.15 12 15
15 Juulia TURKKILA FIN 131.38 14 13
16 Romy BÜHLER SUI 122.33 15 17
17 Karina JOHNSON DEN 121.63 24 16
18 Svetlana ISSAKOVA EST 118.44 18 18
19 Viktoria PAVUK HUN 112.70 19 21
20 Dasa GRM SLO 112.54 21 20
21 Alice GARLISI ITA 112.36 22 19
22 Fleur MAXWELL LUX 110.59 17 24
23 Hristina VASSILEVA BUL 106.79 20 22
24 Alexandra KUNOVA SVK 105.86 23 23
25 Anne Line GJERSEM NOR FNR 25
26 Irina MOVCHAN UKR FNR 26
27 Clara PETERS IRL FNR 27
28 Birce ATABEY TUR FNR 28

Kiira Korpi in lead after 2011 Europeans' short programs

(AP Photo / KEYSTONE/Peter Klaunzer)

1 Kiira KORPI FIN 63.50 33.18 30.32 7.50 7.25 7.71 7.57 7.86 0.00 #23
2 Ksenia MAKAROVA RUS 60.35 32.98 27.37 6.96 6.50 6.93 6.82 7.00 0.00 #21
3 Sarah MEIER SUI 58.56 31.56 27.00 6.79 6.43 6.86 6.79 6.89 0.00 #24
4 Viktoria HELGESSON SWE 54.70 29.39 25.31 6.50 6.07 6.39 6.25 6.43 0.00 #25
5 Elene GEDEVANISHVILI GEO 53.68 27.03 26.65 6.71 6.36 6.71 6.64 6.89 0.00 #19
6 Carolina KOSTNER ITA 53.17 26.02 29.15 7.46 7.11 7.04 7.36 7.46 2.00 #17
7 Mae Berenice MEITE FRA 51.61 29.41 22.20 5.71 5.29 5.64 5.54 5.57 0.00 #20
8 Valentina MARCHEI ITA 51.24 25.36 25.88 6.43 6.14 6.61 6.43 6.75 0.00 #22
9 Sarah HECKEN GER 51.12 27.72 24.40 6.21 5.86 6.21 6.07 6.14 1.00 #26
10 Ira VANNUT BEL 50.90 30.67 20.23 5.25 4.82 5.18 5.11 4.93 0.00 #15
11 Sonia LAFUENTE ESP 49.10 26.45 22.65 5.79 5.50 5.68 5.68 5.68 0.00 #27
12 Jenna MCCORKELL GBR 48.65 25.54 23.11 5.96 5.54 5.89 5.71 5.79 0.00 #28
13 Alena LEONOVA RUS 48.40 22.66 25.74 6.54 6.14 6.43 6.46 6.61 0.00 #18
14 Juulia TURKKILA FIN 45.17 25.65 19.52 5.04 4.57 4.96 4.82 5.00 0.00 #7
15 Romy BÜHLER SUI 44.42 25.80 19.62 4.96 4.61 4.93 4.89 5.14 1.00 #5
16 Gerli LIINAMÄE EST 44.07 25.59 18.48 4.79 4.46 4.75 4.64 4.46 0.00 #11
17 Fleur MAXWELL LUX 43.64 24.25 19.39 4.89 4.50 5.00 4.89 4.96 0.00 #2
18 Svetlana ISSAKOVA EST 42.30 24.12 18.18 4.82 4.29 4.57 4.61 4.43 0.00 #13
19 Viktoria PAVUK HUN 42.18 23.47 18.71 4.79 4.39 4.79 4.68 4.75 0.00 #12
20 Hristina VASSILEVA BUL 39.11 22.74 16.37 4.29 3.82 4.18 4.18 4.00 0.00 #1
21 Dasa GRM SLO 38.97 21.68 17.29 4.50 4.14 4.29 4.32 4.36 0.00 #8
22 Alice GARLISI ITA 38.79 20.99 19.80 5.18 4.75 4.68 5.04 5.11 2.00 #16
23 Alexandra KUNOVA SVK 38.67 21.82 16.85 4.43 4.00 4.18 4.25 4.21 0.00 #9
24 Karina JOHNSON DEN 38.30 21.78 16.52 4.36 4.00 4.07 4.14 4.07 0.00 #6
25 Anne Line GJERSEM NOR 34.66 18.60 18.06 4.54 4.32 4.50 4.46 4.75 2.00 #14
26 Irina MOVCHAN UKR 31.43 14.52 16.91 4.64 4.04 4.04 4.29 4.14 0.00 #10
27 Clara PETERS IRL 30.91 15.22 15.69 3.93 3.68 3.86 4.07 4.07 0.00 #3
28 Birce ATABEY TUR 30.50 17.59 14.91 3.79 3.64 3.71 3.79 3.71 2.00 #4

Nagasu, Czisny, Flatt -1,2,3 After the Short

As expected Mirai Nagasu, Alissa Czisny and Rachael Flatt compose the top three after the short program at 2011 US Nationals. All three women delivered strong short programs, but only two of them will represent the US at the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. The long program is on Saturday.

Mirai Nagasu - 1st in the Short - 63.35

AP Photo/Chuck Burton

Alissa Czisny - 2nd in the Short - 62.50

REUTERS/Chris Keane

Rachael Flatt - 3rd in the Long - 62.32

REUTERS/Chris Keane

2011 US Nationals Senior Ladies Short Program Results

1 Mirai Nagasu, Pasadena FSC 63.35
2 Alissa Czisny, Detroit SC 62.50
3 Rachael Flatt, Broadmoor SC 62.32
4 Agnes Zawadzki, Broadmoor SC 61.54
5 Christina Gao, Northern Kentucky SC 58.43
6 Vanessa Lam, All Year FSC 57.61
7 Ashley Wagner, SC of Wilmington 54.63
8 Yasmin Siraj, SC of Boston 49.91
9 Morgan Bell, Rocky Mountain FSC 49.73
10 Caroline Zhang, All Year FSC 48.48
11 Alexe Gilles, Broadmoor SC 47.75
12 Joelle Forte, SC of New York 47.03
13 Kristine Musademba, Washington FSC 46.94
14 Danielle Kahle, All Year FSC 45.87
15 Melissa Bulanhagui, University of Delaware FSC 45.36
16 Ellie Kawamura, All Year FSC 45.19
17 Kristiene Gong, All Year FSC 44.12
18 Kelsey Traunero, SC of Wilmington 42.28
19 Keli Zhou, SC of Oregon 41.38
20 Felicia Zhang, SC of New York 41.23
21 Katy Jo West, Rocky Mountain FSC 40.07
22 Raina Narita, SC of New York 33.75
23 Tatyana Khazova, Broadmoor SC 26.58

Courtney Hicks - 2011 US Junior Champ

Lots of media interest regarding newly crowned US junior champ Courtney Hicks and her future future.

Golden Skate Hicks Turns Heads with Winning Performance

Christine Brennan Junior Ranks May Hold Sochi Star

Phil Hersh Is 5-foot Courtney Hicks the next big thing in U.S. skating?

Courtney already has a web page too. Click on the picture to visit her site.

2011 US Nationals Junior Ladies Results
1 Courtney Hicks, All Year FSC 1 60.84 1 112.38 173.22
2 Lauren Dinh, Broadmoor SC 3 52.51 2 101.48 153.99
3 Katarina Kulgeyko, Los Angeles FSC 2 53.08 3 93.54 146.62
4 McKinzie Daniels, Broadmoor SC 5 49.54 5 89.05 138.59
5 Mary Beth Marley, DuPage FSC 4 50.55 6 87.27 137.82
6 Ashley Cain, Stars FSC of Texas 7 48.35 4 89.09 137.44
7 Polina Edmunds, Peninsula SC 6 48.78 8 84.13 132.91
8 Haley Dunne, Washington FSC 9 46.10 7 86.47 132.57
9 Nina Jiang, Texas Gulf Coast FSC 8 46.74 9 81.81 128.55
10 Allison Timlen, Columbia FSC (MD) 10 45.20 10 70.44 115.64
11 Elise Eng, Princeton SC 11 43.24 11 59.78 103.02
12 Nicole Rajic, SC of New York 12 35.63 12 55.15 90.78

Hannah Miller - 2011 US Ladies Novice Champion

1 Hannah Miller, Lansing SC 3 39.34 1 82.96 122.30
2 Barbie Long, Springfield FSC 2 41.77 2 80.08 121.85
3 Mariah Bell, Rocky Mountain FSC 1 41.91 3 73.42 115.33
4 Amanda Hofmann, Highland SC 9 32.11 4 68.05 100.16
5 Mia Eisenhandler, Gate City FSC 6 33.30 6 65.07 98.37
6 Katia Gorodetsky, N/A 11 29.66 5 67.28 96.94
7 Alana Walker, Los Angeles FSC 4 35.11 10 60.78 95.89
8 Ana Draovitch, SC of Northern Virginia 5 33.98 9 61.46 95.44
9 Ysabel Tran, All Year FSC 10 31.45 8 62.59 94.04
10 Viviana Mathis, University of Delaware FSC 8 32.98 11 58.37 91.35
11 Jordan Bauth, Jamestown SC 7 33.16 12 57.77 90.93
12 Jessica Pfund, Broadmoor SC 12 25.92 7 63.59 89.51

US Ladies Novice Short Program Results

1. Mariah Bell
2. Barbie Long
3. Hannah Miller
4. Alana Walker
5. Ana Draovitch
6. Mia Eisenhandler
7. Jordan Bauth
8. Viviana Mathis
9. Amanda Hofmann
10. Ysabel Tran
11. Katia Gorodetsky
12. Jessica Pfund

Amanda Dobb's Announcement on Withdrawing from US Nationals

Amanda Dobbs competes at the

2010 Four Continents Championship

AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

Amanda Dobbs, sixth place finisher in the senior ladies division at last year's US Figure Skating Championships, has withdrawn from this year's nationals. The 17-year-old California native posted the following statement on her website, AmandaDobbs.com.

"I am sad to announce that I have had to withdraw from the 2011 US National Championships in Greensboro, NC. I took a weird fall on a jump last week and hurt my ankle...and while it will heal up just fine...it will not do so in time for me to be ready to compete next week =(

I don't always understand why at the time, but I believe things happen for a reason! My training has been going very well and I'm looking forward to getting back onto the ice and working towards a great new year! Thanks for all of the kind words and support I have already received from so many of you!"

Agnes Zawadzki Readying for Senior US Nationals Debut

Agnes Zawadzki skates her long program at 2010 Cup of Russia

© Yurl Kochetkov/epa/Corbis

Agnes Zawadzki, who won the US ladies junior title last year, makes her senior national debut this week at the 2011 US Figure Skating Championships. The reigning World Junior silver medalist, Zawadzki, the sixteen year old from Chicago told IceNetwork that she's hoping to play spoiler in Greensboro.

Here are some key quotes from IceNetwork's article: Zawadzki aims to play spoiler at U.S. Champs

"I've got to do it, especially in the long program." - Agnes Zawadzki

"I'm still getting used to the pressure [of being in contention] at such high-level competitions." - Agnes Zawadzki

"If she had done the Junior Grand Prix, her results might have been a little stronger overall, and she could have made the [Junior Grand Prix] Final, but competing on the Senior Grand Prix she learned how to cope with the pressure of TV and compete with the top women in the world." - Tom Zakrajsek, Agnes' coach

"She's been working on her mental toughness, not just for the long program but in general." - Tom Zakrajsek

"There are so many great women to compete with at nationals, that to receive any kind of assignment -- be it worlds, Four Continents or junior worlds -- would be a huge honor." - Tom Zakrajsek

Kiri Baga Out of 2011 US Nationals

Kiri Baga will miss 2011 US Nationals

Kiri Baga, the 2009 US National Novice Champion and 2010 US Junior Pewter medalist, has withdrawn from the 2011 US Figure Skating Championships due to severe tendonitis in both ankles.

Baga had a strong fall season, culminating in a silver medal at the junior grand prix. However, she later withdrew from the competition due to her aggravated ankle.

Baga announced her withdrawl on her Twitter account today. She would have made her senior debut this week in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Note: Amanda Dobbs and Samantha Cesario have also withdrawn from US Nationals.

Cynthia Phaneuf Claims Second Canadian Title

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward

Coach Annie Barabe and Cynthia Phaneuf celebrate her second Canadian title.

In a lesson in perseverence Cynthia Phaneuf won her second Canadian champion on Saturday afternoon, seven years after her first title, rebounding from years of injuries and dramatic growth spurts that would have ended the career of lesser-determined athletes.

"Finally, finally, finally,” Phaneuf said moments after regaining the ladies title.

Myriane Samson rebounded from a fall in the short program that left her in fourth place to pull up to a silver medal. Her finish landed her a spot on the world team for the second year in a row; she finished 29th in 2010, as a replacement for Joannie Rochette. Amelie LaCoste finished third for the second Canadians bronze medal of her career, and Alejandra Navarro fell to fourth.

2011 Canadian Championships Senior Ladies Final Results

1 Cynthia Phaneuf QC 60.77 111.55 172.32
2 Myriane Samson QC 49.75 108.07 157.82
3 Amelie Lacoste QC 50.86 100.86 151.72
4 Alexandra Najarro CO 52.12 95.26 147.38
5 Adriana DeSanctis CO 47.81 96.42 144.23
6 Jessica Dube QC 48.81 82.09 130.90
7 Vanessa Grenier QC 44.13 85.80 129.93
8 Dallas Daniel AB/NT/NU 38.99 90.68 129.67
9 Kate Charbonneau MB 38.61 81.89 120.50
10 Sarah Jourdain QC 45.69 70.23 115.92
11 Devon Neuls BC/YT 37.92 77.01 114.93
12 Kelsey McNeil NB 34.52 75.40 109.92
13 Rylie McCulloch-Casarsa WO 38.61 68.59 107.20
14 Jessica-Amy Sergeant AB/NT/NU 36.05 70.73 106.78
15 Izabel Valiquette QC 35.62 69.09 104.71
16 Daniela-Bella Favot WO 33.97 65.08 99.05
17 Karine Chevrier QC 36.57 61.13 97.70
18 Jacqueline Lenuik BC/YT 33.36 56.06 89.42

Who is Alexandra Najarro?

Darren Stone, Victoria Times Colonist

Alexandra Najarro surprised many yesterday when she placed second in the ladies short program at the 2011 Canadian Figure Skating Championships. She may have even stunned herself. The petite teenager was already on a bus heading back to the competitors' hotel when she was dragged off of it to answer reporters' questions. "I'm new to all this," she apologized.

With a clean short program skate under her belt, triple toe-double toe combination, triple flip and double axel, Najarro lingers only behind Cynthia Phaneuf heading into today's long program. Although the young skater may now find herself heading to Tokyo, Japan in March as part of Canada's World team, she maintains that a trip to junior worlds would be thrilling enough.

Truth is, Najarro is already a seasoned skater on the international level, having spent three years on the junior grand prix circuit with her highest finish, a 5th place, at the 2008 John Curry Memorial. She placed 15th in the senior ladies division at the 2010 Canadians.

Here are some quick facts on Najarro.

She hails from Vaghan, Ontario.

17-year-old Najarro began skating at the age of five.

She will skate to Raul di Blasio's Otonal in today's free skate.

Short Program music: Tritsch Tratsch Plka by Johann Strauss with Second Waltz by Andre Rieu

'80s skating phenom Tracey Wainman coaches Najarro.

Choreographers: Shae-Lynn Bourne and Myke Gillman.

The teen attends a French immersion high school.

She played a small role in the Disney's Ice Princess film as Snowplow Sam.

Cynthia Phaneuf Halfway to Second Canadian Championship

Coach Annie Barabe and student

Cynthia Phaneuf celebrate a great short program

Reuters/Andy Clark

"When I came here I didn't hide myself from it. I said it openly. I'm here to win, and I'm not going to say that I want to skate well and be proud when I get off the ice. I want to go home and have the gold around my neck, and I know what I have to do to have the medal."

- Cynthia Phaneuf - January 21, 2010 - Post-Short Program

It's refreshing to see a female skater with a healthy and openly competitive attitude.

The final skater of the evening, Cynthia Phaneuf, won the short program at the 2011 Canadian Figure Skating Championships tonight. The Quebc skater performed a clean short program and heads into tomorrow's long program with a healthy 8.65 lead over second place finisher, 17-year-old Alexandra Najarro. Amelie Lacoste and Myriane Samson finished third and fourth, respectively. Jessica Dube, whose pairs partner Bryce Davison is sitting out the seasonfollowing knee surgery, placed fifth in her return to singles skating, while former US competitor Adriana DeSanctis sits in sixth place.

Short Program Results

1	Cynthia Phaneuf	QC	60.77	-	60.77
2	Alexandra Najarro	CO	52.12	-	52.12
3	Amelie Lacoste	QC	50.86	-	50.86
4	Myriane Samson	QC	49.75	-	49.75
5	Jessica Dube	QC	48.81	-	48.81
6	Adriana DeSanctis	CO	47.81	-	47.81
7	Sarah Jourdain	QC	45.69	-	45.69
8	Vanessa Grenier	QC	44.13	-	44.13
9	Dallas Daniel	AB/NT/NU	38.99	-	38.99
10	Rylie McCulloch-Casarsa	WO	38.61	-	38.61
11	Kate Charbonneau	MB	38.61	-	38.61
12	Devon Neuls	BC/YT	37.92	-	37.92
13	Karine Chevrier	QC	36.57	-	36.57
14	Jessica-Amy Sergeant	AB/NT/NU	36.05	-	36.05
15	Izabel Valiquette	QC	35.62	-	35.62
16	Kelsey McNeil	NB	34.52	-	34.52
17	Daniela-Bella Favot	WO	33.97	-	33.97
18	Jacqueline Lenuik	BC/YT	33.36	-	33.36

Rachael Flatt calls new East of Eden short program, "my best program yet."

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

IceNetwork.com's latest article, Flatt scrapping jazzy short for Greensboro, contains many pre- Nationals' comments from US Champ Rachael Flatt and her coach, Tom Zakrajsek.

Highlights:

On Rachael's physical state:

"I've made a fully recovery." - Rachael Flatt

"She has been pain-free for a while and is extremely well prepared." - Tom Zakrajsek

"I'm training incredibly well heading into nationals." - Rachael Flatt

On choosing East of Eden music for her new short program:

"We wanted something more mature, more refined and elegant." - Tom Zakrajsek

"Lori came up with a phenomenal program." - Rachael Flatt

"I think it's my best program yet. I can't wait to debut it at nationals; I hope it blows everyone away." - Rachael Flatt

On using music so closely associated with Michelle Kwan:

"Certainly we are aware Michelle skated to the music. It was an amazing performance under the 6.0 system. I trust Lori's instincts; she suggested the music, and she choreographed it for the International Judging System [IJS], so it's a very different program under a very different system." - Tom Zakrajsek

Cynthia Phaneuf in Pursuit of Canadian Championship #2

Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press

Cynthia Phaneuf, above with coach, Annie Barabe, finished fifth at the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships. With Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette sitting out the season, Phaneuf is the favorite to win the ladies title at the 2011 Canadian Figure Skating Championships. The twenty-three-year old last won the competition in 2004

The ladies short program begins this Friday at 6:20 pm PST. Here is the start order:

1 Daniela-Bella Favot WO

2 Karine Chevrier QC

3 Jessica-Amy Sergeant AB/NT/NU

4 Kelsey McNeil NB

5 Sarah Jourdain QC

6 Jacqueline Lenuik BC/YT

7 Izabel Valiquette QC

8 Rylie McCulloch-Casarsa WO

9 Jessica Dube QC

10 Devon Neuls BC/YT

11 Kate Charbonneau MB

12 Dallas Daniel AB/NT/NU

13 Adriana DeSanctis CO

14 Alexandra Najarro CO

15 Vanessa Grenier QC

16 Amelie Lacoste QC

17 Myriane Samson QC

18 Cynthia Phaneuf QC

Michelle Kwan, Lobster, Steak-Eye and Obama

Reuters Jonathan Ernst

Michelle Kwan was served lobster and steak-eye at the White House tonight at the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for President of China Hu Jintao.

Rachael Flatt's Moon River Costume

For a little less than a thousand bucks, you can own Rachael Flatt's 2008 short program "Moon River" costume, and your money goes to a great cause: U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund. Head over to SkatingMall.com to bid on the dress.

US Nationals Preview And 2011's Best Program Belongs To...

I didn't understand Alissa Czisny's national victory a few years back and have always felt that her presentation scores were too high.

Not this season. I find her free skate, Selections from Winter and Spring, absolutely breathtaking. For me, its ethereal beauty ranks up there with recent gorgeous programs from this century like: Sasha Cohen's Baroque Selections, Michelle Kwan's East of Eden exhibition, Angela Nikodinov's Sleeping Beauty, Vanessa Gusmeroli's Legends of the Fall and Mao Asada's Nocturne short program from several years back. In other words, a special program, like Alissa's comes along very rarely.

I am convinced that no woman this season has a more captivating program, long or short. Yes, that's a bold statement to make considering Olympic champ Yuna Kim has yet to show her programs.

Does anyone know if Brian Boitano still mentors Alissa? I haven't heard anything pertaining to his involvement with her this season. Enjoy the video. I always do.

Twitter and Skating

I signed up for Twitter yesterday. I'm new to this intimidating phenomenon but would love to connect with other figure skating fans. Follow Me and I'll Follow You

Rachael Flatt switches to new short program

Getty Images

Rachael Flatt announced a new short program today. She's now skating to East of Eden, the same Lee Holdridge piece so closely associated with Michelle Kwan. Bold choice for Rachael.

Will it be Number 2 for Flatt, Czisny or Nagasu?

Yes, that rhymed. No, it wasn't intentional. :)

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson

If neither of those 3 ladies wins her second US title in January, who might win their first? Ashley Wagner? If she can skate a clean short program, maybe. Newbie Agnes Zawadzki? If she can stop skating shaky long program, perhaps.

My gut says Mirai Nagasu wins a second US championship this month. Not only do I feel she's pacing herself well this season, she also thrives under lower expectations. On the other hand, Alissa Czisny historically struggles in the favorite role. Of course, Rachael Flatt can never be counted out. Ever. How many times has she gotten the last laugh. So, what do you think will happen?

Vote >>>>>>