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Kiri Baga, the 2009 US National Novice Champion and 2010 US Junior Pewter medalist, has withdrawn from the 2011 US Figure Skating Championships due to severe tendonitis in both ankles.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Note: Amanda Dobbs and Samantha Cesario have also withdrawn from US Nationals.

Kanako Murakami - 2010 World Junior Champion

Kanako Murakami caps off a perfect season with World Junior title

Earlier today, Kanako Murakami won the ladies title at the 2010 World Junior Championships. Murakami has had a breakout season by winning every single junior competition she entered. Murakami took gold at both her junior grand prix events, the final, the Japanese Championships at the junior level and the Ice Challenge. It's not inconceivable that we may see the 15-year-old (she turns 16 in November) at the senior World Championships next year.

Kanako Murakami JPN - Gold

Agnes Zawadzki USA - Silver

Polina Agafonova RUS - Bronze

Polina Shelepen RUS - 4th

Anna Ovcharova RUS - 5th

Kate Charbonneau CAN - 6th

Kiri Baga USA - 7th

Christina Gao USA - 8th

Joshi Helgesson SWE - 9th

Julia Pfrengle GER - 10th

Alena Leonova's Last Day as Reigning World Junior Champion

Alena Leonova - 2009 World Junior Champion

Today marks the final day of Russia's Alena Leonova's reign as World Junior Champion. The 9th place finisher at the Vancouver Olympics surprised many when she won the title last year against Americans Caroline Zhang and Ashley Wagner. Tomorrow a new ladies champion will be crowned when the women skate their long programs at the 2010 World Junior Championships.

The current standings after the short program:

1	Anna Ovcharova	RUS	59.80	36.20	23.60
2	Kanako Murakami	JPN	59.00	34.60	24.40
3	Polina Agafonova	RUS	56.28	34.28	22.00
4	Kate Charbonneau	CAN	53.80	33.08	20.72
5	Kiri Baga	USA	52.28	30.24	22.04
6	Joshi Helgesson	SWE	52.10	30.30	21.80
7	Polina Shelepen	RUS	51.42	28.90	22.52
8	Agnes Zawadzki	USA	50.98	31.74	20.24
9	Christina Gao	USA	49.34	28.50	20.84
10	Lena Marrocco	FRA	49.10	28.90	20.20

Photo AP