Lows far outweigh highs in Olympic figure skating program
The Olympic figure skating program at the Beijing Games probably won't be remembered for the soaring performances of American gold medalist Nathan Chen, French ice dancers Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron or the Chinese pairs team of Sui Wenjing and Han Cong.
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Chen wins 3rd straight worlds, beating Olympic champ Hanyu
โI wouldnโt say this is my best free program ever,โ he said. Even the look on his face at the conclusion of his free skate was intensely focused rather than celebratory. It's possible Chen and Hanyu won't face off again until December's Grand Prix Final โ or perhaps even until the Olympics. He rallied with a spectacular free skate to climb from 17th place to fifth. Their free skate to โBoth Sides Nowโ displayed both sides of the discipline: sharp technique and creative artistry.
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US skating team stronger than most for recent world events
Multiple medals at the World Figure Skating Championships are rare for the United States. Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue collected bronze in ice dance. Hubbell and Donohue figure to be tested by Madison Chock and Evan Bates, with whom they have swapped U.S. titles in recent years. Hubbell and Donohue edged Chock and Bates in January at nationals, reversing the finish for each couple in 2019. โMadison Chock and Evan Bates have only competed once this season, where Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue have been stellar in their events, and I think the momentum is in their favor.
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Nathan Chen wins fifth straight US Figure Skating title
Even with an error at the beginning of his free skate, Chen was unbeatable Sunday, winning his fifth straight U.S. Not since Button won each title from 1946-52 has any American man had such a streak of success. Throw in two world championships and being unbeaten since not medaling at the 2018 Olympics, and Chen already has a resume for the ages. โItโs incredible to try to follow in his footsteps,โ Chen said of Button. Only at Skate America in October was Chen able to strut his stuff.
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Four-time champ Chen wins short program with ease
โIโm thrilled with the short program today," said the two-time world gold medalist. "At the beginning of this year at a small, local competition, in Colorado, I scored 103 with a clean program. WOMENNational champion Bradie Tennell and third-place finisher Karen Chen were selected for the world championships team. Tennell won her second U.S. title Friday night; she also finished first in 2018. The 2021 world championships are set for March 22-28 in Stockholm.
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Nathan Chen dominates again in Skate America short program
Nathan Chen, of the United States, competes during men's short program in the International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)LAS VEGAS โ Looking like a world champion even this early in the figure skating season, Nathan Chen easily won the short program at Skate America on Friday night with a personal-best score. His 111.17 points beat his short program high of 110.38 in last year's Grand Prix final. Kicking off an already truncated figure skating season in the first event of the Grand Prix series, Chen was unchallenged. Earlier, as expected, Mariah Bell and Bradie Tennell finished on top of the women's short program.
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The Latest: Junior Grand Prix figure skating canceled
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on sports around the world:The International Skating Union has canceled the Junior Figure Skating Grand Prix for the upcoming season. Citing increased travel and entry restrictions, the international governing body for the sport said Monday it could not sanction the series. Potential international junior events could be held if the pandemic developments and situation change and allow for the safe organization of them. The ISU said it would provide financial assistance for such events, with preference given to venues that were a part of the canceled series. The ISU Council will meet online on Aug. 3 to further evaluate events for the 2020-21 season.