| Nationals are one of the most anticipated events in | | | | Grand Prix appearances. In many ways, she is sort of |
| U.S. figure skating every year, and the January 2010 | | | | "on a roll" as of late, and stands a good chance at |
| event holds special significance because it will | | | | making the Olympic team. |
| determine the makeup of the figure skating contingent | | | | Emily Hughes, younger sister of 2002 Olympic |
| to the Vancouver Olympics in February 2010. | | | | champion Sarah Hughes, has had a rough time the last |
| This year, the United State will only be able to send | | | | couple of seasons, and had to skate at North Atlantic |
| two ladies skaters to the Olympics, due to placements | | | | regionals in order to earn a trip to Nationals this year, |
| at the World Championships in 2009. This fact will be | | | | where she placed 2nd. Due to injuries to Kimmie |
| highly discussed in the media during nationals and at | | | | Meissner, she skated at Skate America and took 7th, |
| the Olympics. The U.S. will be sending three men to the | | | | which was a good outing for her in only her fourth |
| Olympics, and two ice dance teams. | | | | international event in three season. Emily was an |
| On the men's side, Evan Lysacek, the 2006 Olympic | | | | emergency replacement for an injured Michelle Kwan |
| 4th place finisher, is a favorite heading into Vancouver. | | | | at the 2006 Olympics, where she took a respectable |
| He won the 2009 World Championship and medaled in | | | | 7th. Emily did not skate the 2009 US Championships |
| all three of his 2009-10 Grand Prix appearances, | | | | due to injury, but has taken a leave of absence from |
| including Gold at the Finals. | | | | Harvard to train for Nationals and the Olympics this |
| Another favorite for the men is Colorado Springs | | | | year. I would be lying if I didn't admit to being a bit of an |
| skater Ryan Bradley, who took home a 3rd and 4th | | | | Emily Hughes fan, and believe she has just as good of |
| place finish in his two Grand Prix appearances this | | | | a shot at making it to Vancouver as anybody else. |
| season. I have recently had the pleasure of seeing | | | | Several other US ladies have had very off seasons, |
| Ryan in practice, and he is looking pretty strong, as is | | | | due to a variety of injuries and other issues. Mirai |
| fellow Broadmoor skater Brandon Mroz, who took | | | | Nagasu, Caroline Zhang, Kimmie Meissner, and Sasha |
| silver at the 2009 U.S. nationals. | | | | Cohen (who is trying to make a competitive |
| Johnny Weir is another Olympic contender that should | | | | comeback) have all had rough seasons with little |
| not be counted out. While he has experienced a | | | | competition. |
| personally challenging season this year, he took home | | | | Possibly the best hope for an American medal on the |
| a bronze medal at this year's Grand Prix final. | | | | ladies side in Vancouver is Broadmoor skater Rachael |
| Jeremy Abbott rounds out the list of possible U.S. men | | | | Flatt. Rachael has turned in the most consistent |
| to be on their way to Vancouver. Jeremy had a | | | | performances for the United States team for the past |
| breakthrough season in 2008-09, winning both the U.S. | | | | couple years. Rachael is currently ranked 9th in the ISU |
| national championship and the gold at the Grand Prix | | | | World Standings, the highest of any U.S. ladies skater. |
| Final. For 2009-10, he has skated strong under new | | | | She was the 2008 World Junior Champion, 2008 and |
| coaching, and took first at Skate Canada and 4th at | | | | 2009 U.S. silver medalist, and placed 5th at the 2009 |
| the Grand Prix Final. | | | | World Championships. She has taken 2nd and 4th |
| The ladies side of U.S. figure skating is currently is the | | | | place finishes in her Grand Prix assignments both of |
| throes of a tumultuous period. After dominating | | | | the last two seasons. Rachael has been working |
| international ladies figure skating for decades, the U.S. | | | | diligently to work on her skating speed, something she |
| is currently looking for strong leadership. | | | | has been consistently criticized for over the past few |
| Alyssa Czisny, the reigning US national champion, has | | | | years, and she is working on a triple Axel, although I do |
| a long history of inconsistency in her skating. Alyssa is | | | | not know whether or not that will be ready for |
| a seasoned veteran in the senior skating ranks, and | | | | competition this year. Rachael is a very consistent |
| clinched her first gold after eight appearances at US | | | | jumper, and seeing her in practice lately she has |
| Nationals at the senior level in 2009. She placed 11th at | | | | looked competition ready. Yes, I'm a huge Rachael |
| the World Championships, and took 2nd and 4th in her | | | | Flatt fan, and have no qualms admitting it, so it's hard |
| two Grand Prix appearances this season. She is a | | | | not to be biased! |
| strong contender for one of the two spots for | | | | With the Olympics only 6 weeks away, and U.S. |
| Vancouver. | | | | Nationals starting in two weeks, the heat is on for |
| Ashley Wagner took 4th at the 2009 US Nationals, 4th | | | | American figure skaters to polish their programs and |
| at the recent Grand Prix Final, and took 2nd and 3rd at | | | | show the world what they've got. It will be an |
| the Cup of Russia and NHK Trophy, respectively. | | | | interesting next few weeks, that is for sure. Go Team |
| Ashley is also a veteran of the senior circuit, and | | | | USA! |
| turned in some outstanding performances at her | | | | |