Gracie Gold should have an excellent chance at a world medal simply by skating her best in both programs. Ashley Wagner will likely need help (i.e. mistakes) by other skaters to get there, but she also is in contention.
Of course, I said the same thing in reverse last year (Wagner could do it on her own, Gold could do it with help), when the U.S. women’s medal drought at worlds reached nine years.
Read MoreAfter two busy weeks on the figure skating scene, including the U.S., Canadian and European Championships and the news of a season-ending injury for U.S. phenom Nathan Chen, let’s catch our breath for a look of what it all means to U.S. singles skaters as they look toward the 2016 World Championships.
Today, a look at the men’s situation. Tomorrow, the women.
*The loss of Chen to a hip avulsion fracture that required surgery will have minimal impact on the United States’ slim-to-no chance of keeping its three men’s spots for the 2017 World Figure Skating Championships.
Read MoreLos Angeles has thrown down the gantlet to the International Olympic Committee.
As in: Put up or shut up, IOC members, about all those lofty reformist ideas for economically and logistically saner Olympic Games that you approved by acclamation 14 months ago.
Read MoreThe decision on whether Nathan Chen should compete in either of the world figure skating championships for which he qualified no longer is discretionary.
The injury Chen suffered on a failed quadruple jump attempt during Sunday’s exhibition gala after the U.S. Championships has required left hip surgery that will knock him out of both the world juniors and world championships in late March.
Read MoreWhether phenom Nathan Chen competes at either of the two world figure skating championships for which he has qualified will depend on a medical evaluation of the injury he sustained Sunday evening.
“What matters is not these worlds. What matters is that he is healthy for the future,” Rafael Arutunian, the skater’s coach, told me by telephone Tuesday afternoon.
Read More
Philip Hersh, formerly Olympic specialist for the Chicago Tribune, has covered 20 Olympic Games. He often uses sport as a way to write about the culture of a country or athlete. READ FULL BIO
