1998 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Senior Ladies

Final Standings

        J1:  Kristin Cutler
        J2:  Joseph Inman
        J3:  Steve Winkler
        J4:  Larry Kriwanik
        J5:  Hugh Graham
        J6:  Sherie Grimson
        J7:  Samuel Auxier
        J8: Lori Dunn
        J9: Ronald Pfenning

Notes after the long program.

Senior ladies ended up much as expected; but, nevertheless, it provided an exciting conclusion to the Championships.  Michelle Kwan was dazzling, skating a clean program with six triples in a flawless performance.  As she left the ice the crowd chanted for sixes and she was greeted by Tonia Kwiatkowski's coach, Carol Heiss, who flashed her an enthusiastic thumbs up. The judges awarded eight 5.9's in the first mark and a stunning eight 6.0's in the second mark.  Between the short and long programs, Kwan received 15 marks of 6.0 out of a total possible 18 for the second mark.  This multitude of 6.0's were the only ones awarded during the competition and earned Kwan not only her second National title, but also a Chevrolet car.

Tara Lipinski, who had skated earlier in the last warm up group skated a technically strong program with only very two minor errors - a very small hop on the landing of the second jump in her triple loop - triple loop combination, and a weak landing edge on a successful triple Salchow.  Her presentation was also effective, but was still not in the same league as Michelle's.

Rounding out the top three spots was Nicole Bobek who gave a technically cautious performance with the characteristic flair of the Bobek of old.  She skated clean, but left double toe loops off of two planned combinations, doubled a triple loop, and landed two solo triple toe loops when one needed to be in a combination.  Despite these limitations, none of the remaining ladies were near her either technically or artistically.  The strength of the performances from all three of the top ladies left everyone here thinking that a U.S. sweep of the ladies event at the Olympics is not an unreasonable possibility.

Skating last, Tonia Kwiatkowski made it easy for the judges by doubling a triple flip, falling on triple Salchow, and falling on triple Lutz.  Despite these problems, she still landed four other triples and fought back gamely during the program.  At the end of her program she fought back the tears as the crowd showered her with applause, her dream of an Olympic berth unfulfilled.

Notes after the short program.

Baring a miracle, today Tara Lipinski lost her national title.  Falling on triple flip in the short program she was placed fourth making it nearly impossible for her to repeat as champion even if she beats Michelle Kwan in the long program, which in itself is highly unlikely.  In addition to her fall, her presentation while pleasant enough, lacked the passion or emotion needed for a championship program.  Following the competition an ashen faced Lipinski met the press and tried to put a brave spin on it. She said she was confident that she would have a strong free skate and was not thinking about the implications of whether she might fail to make the Olympic Team.  She still, of course, has an excellent chance to make the team - with three ladies going; but it seemed clear she was shocked by the outcome and the possibility that she might not be going as national champion.

Michelle Kwan, on the other hand, was near flawless.  She landed her triple Lutz - double toe combination and triple flip with ease.  Normally she uses triple toe loop for the solo jump in the short program, but to ease the stress on her injured toe she used triple flip instead.  She received 8 marks of 5.9 in the first mark and 7 marks of 6.0 in the second mark.  Going into the long program Kwan is now the clear favorite.

The short programs were led of by Tonia Kwiatkowski, who had one of her best skates in two years.  Skating.. to "Madame Butterfly"  she landed triple Lutz - double toe loop and triple toe loop.  Her performance was dramatic and emotional.   A teary eyed Kwiatkowski was met with a standing ovation at the end of the program which was beautifully done.

Nicole Bobek also had a great skate.  She did not try the triple-triple combination people were looking for, but the triple flutz - double toe was clean and was the solo triple toe.  Skating to last year's "Zorba the Greek" program she was on today and is in good position to medal and make the Olympic Team.

Free Skating

Short Program

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