We're here - in Spokane at the US Figure Skating Finals where the US representatives to next month's Olympics in Vancouver will be determined.
The opening ceremony was a bit lame and Gerry was really wondering why he had been dragged to this. But then the men took the ice for their short program. There was amazing skating but at the end of the night the top three were no big surprise (though maybe the order was: Jeremy Abbott, Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir).
Yesterday morning we saw the Pairs Free Skate (final competition). Though there were certainly some excellent pairs, there was nothing reminiscent of the 1980-90's Russion duos. The throws were good though most pairs received a deduction for at least one fall. (Gerry said he would be most impressed if a girl got to throw a guy for once and having seen all those ladies hit the ice, I concur...maybe if the guy hit the ice once or twice like that he'd have more incentive to give a bit more elevation to the throw so his partner could land it!) Regardless by the third set we'd pretty much seen the same routine a few times and by then Margo (my sister) and I were judging the costumes and trying to decide if the line for those delicious made-right-in-front-of-you donuts was worth it.
Then the final set of skaters to0k to the ice. Amazing, incredible, fantastic...not enough adjectives here folks. First up, Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig who skated nearly flawlessly. The next pair up proved that "near flawlessly" wasn't going to get the job done. Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett performed the skate of their life - an absolutely perfect performance, landing every single jump, spins in perfect unison. The death spiral was hold-your-breath as she fully extended herself with her entire body only inches from the ice! Their coach was in tears and the entire audience on their feet by the end of the performance. I only hope they can repeat this performance in Vancouver!
But we weren't done yet. The next pairs up were 33-year-old Rena Inoue & 36-year-old John Baldwin. We had seen them skate together in 2007 in Spokane and were surprised at their ages then. Now we were simply flabbergasted to see them together again. They too gave an amazing performance - their final skate and they went out in style. Their 3rd place finish was no "sympathy" vote. They would be a tough act to follow and Caitline Yankowskas & John Coughlin scored high with our group on costumes and choice of music (Pearl Harbor) but had difficulties landing jumps (I think she fell twice) and ended the night in 4th place.
So with Denney-Barrett in 1st and Evora-Ladwig in 2nd we will be well represented in Vancouver.
The evening session was spent watching the short program of the Junior Pairs. There are definitely some up-and-comers to be watching (including Caydee Denney's younger sister, Haven). The "women" were all under 20 - including one 13-year-old. There were some solid performances and some harrowing falls (including one who appeared to fall literally on her face and slide across the ice on her chin but miraculously suffered no apparent injury).
We are off now this morning to see the conclusion of the men's skate...and maybe get some of those donuts!
~later (with photos), tw
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