1999 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Senior Ladies

Final Standings

        J1:  Sam Singer
        J2: Robert Horen
        J3:  Jessica Bussgang
        J4:  Coco Shean
        J5:  Margaret Anne Weir
        J6:  Todd Bromley
        J7:  Bette Snuggerud
        J8: Brett Drury
        J9: Marie Pearce

Notes after the long program.

Michelle Kwan won her second consecutive National Championship her skating with just one error to Music from "Ariane" by Jules Massenet.  She attempted eight triples, landing seventh - falling on a solo triple Lutz attempt near the end of her program.  She landed a opening triple Lutz in a triple-double combination (with double toe loop).  Having put her foot injury behind her, Kwan has brought her technical skills up a notch adding a successful triple toe loop - triple toe loop to her program.  Kwan skated with her usual poise and grace, but lacked intensity and her speed was a little off.  Whether this is due to the lack of any serious competition here to motivate her, or the lack of any strenuous competition thus far this season is open to discussion.  We will get a better feel for this at Worlds, her next major competitive event.

In terms of drama and suspense the next three places in the ladies event where were the fun was.  Up-and-coming hot-shot Naomi Nari Nam moved up from fourth in the short program to place second in the long for a second place finish.  Coming into Nationals it was expected that Nam would likely place in the top five, but a second place finish in her first year at seniors was beyond all expectations.  She landed four triples and two footed a fifth - an attempt at triple loop.  She skated with good speed and confidence, and presented some of the best spins of the group with well developed connecting moves.

Angela Nikodinov pulled herself together after the short program and took advantage of some of the weaknesses of the group to place third in the long program and take the bronze medal.  She landed three triples and put her hand down on a fourth - triple toe loop.   In terms of number and quality, her jumps were not significantly better than her competition for third place but her connecting moves and the overall quality of her skating put her over the top to bypass the three ladies ahead of her in the short program, one of whom was Sarah Hughes who placed second in the short program.

Hughes attempted an ambitious program with seven triples.  She landed five, including a triple loop - triple loop combination.  Hughes is the second U.S. lady to land that combination in a major competition and the third among the international skaters (Tara Lipinski and Joanne Carter being the first two).  Hughes has landed the triple loop - triple loop three times in competition so far this season.  Hughes also landed a triple Lutz, Salchow and toe loop.  She fell on another triple Lutz and put a hand down on triple flip.  Hughes' program also included some nice spins but was weak in the connecting elements.  The program included too many crossovers and not enough connecting moves and steps.

Although she did not place in the medals, an honorable mention must go to Brittany McConn who placed fourth in the long program after a tenth place finish in the short program.  She delivered a clean, stand-up program with five triples, lacking only the loop among the five different types of triples done by the ladies.  She skated with speed, energy, and enthusiasm.

Kwan, Nikodinov, and Hughes will represent the U.S. at the World Championships.   Nam in not age eligible.  Neither is Hughes, but as a 1999 World Junior Medlaist she qualifies.  Kwan will not be competing at the Four Continents Championships,  She will be replaced by Erin Pearl who placed fifth here in the ladies event.

Notes after the short program.

With Michelle Kwan's victory in the ladies event a foregone conclusion,the main interest in the ladies event was to see which of the senior ladies would move to the front to form the new generation leading up to the 2002 Olympics.

Michelle Kwan skated to the often used "Carmen" in an elegant black dress with black beading.  For this "Carmen", however, Kwan went to great lengths to explain that she is not "Carmen" but the "Fate of Carmen", which is a rather euphemistic and pretentious way of saying she is "death in a petal skirt."  Her short program elements consisted of the usual triple Lutz - double toe loop, triple toe loop, and double Axel that constitute all her short programs, along with the usual spins.  She received first marks of 5.7 - 5.9 and second marks of 5.9 - 6.0.  She received the only mark of 6.0 thus far awarded at these Championships.

Going into Nationals Angela Nikodinov was viewed as the most likely heir apparent, but it looks like another will leave here with that mantle.  She skated her "Lark Ascending" program with little conviction and made a serious error by popping the triple Lutz in her jump combination.  Her training prior to Nationals and her performance here give the impression of someone who's heart really isn't in competing, and without a rapid change in conditions it looks like she will be overtaken by others, most likely Sarah Hughes.

Hughes, the 1998 Junior Ladies Champion finished a strong second in the short program.   Skating to music by Chopin, she landed a triple flutz - double toe loop and a triple toe loop.  Her spins and connecting moves were all well done, and in the past year she has developed from a strong junior to a strong senior skater.  Although not yet at Kwan's level, if she continues to develop at this rate she should develop into a formidable skater in the next few years.

.Naomi Nari Nam almost lived up to her pre-competition reputation.  She fell on triple flip and hit the back of her head fairly hard, which seemed to disorient her for a moment.  But she pulled herself together and finished the program strongly and placed fourth despite the deduction, largely on the strength of very good second marks.   Given the quality of her skating, and the level of competition here, she could challenge for a medal in the free skating, although a top five finish would certainly meet pre-competition expectations.

Placing third in the short program was Amber Corwin who landed the only triple-triple of the short program, a triple toe loop - triple toe loop.  For her solo jump she landed a triple loop.

Free Skating

Short Program

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