Saturday, January 28th – HP Pavilion – San Jose, Calif.
Useful Links
Twitter #SJ2012 | Official Event Program
Official Event Page | icenetwork.com Event Page
Schedule | Live Results/Starting Orders
Purchase Official Event Photos (As they become available)
How to Follow the 2012 U.S. Championships
11:04 a.m – The Boys Who Score
The Boys Who Score will again be in attendance today at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. If you’re not familiar, Billy, Dave and Enrico are big figure skating fans who take the IJS judging system into their own hands. They attend many events, calculate their own scores and post these score from their seats as the actual scores are announced.
Last night I ran into the guys at the Michelle Kwan Reception and they had, at the time, given the reception a solid 5.7 score, wisely using the old 6.0 system for Kwan. So if you’re in the arena, keep an eye out for The Boys Who Score, who have taken suggestions and are attempting to make their scores more visible to everyone in the arena than in the past.
To learn more about their story, visit their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter.
9:13 a.m. – Michelle Kwan
Last night, Michelle Kwan, the most decorated U.S. Figure Skating athlete, was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
In a beautiful room, with Michelle’s signature lit up on the walls, the scene was set for an amazing night for one of the most well-respected and accomplished people not just in the sport of figure skating, but in the world of sport as a whole. The evening was started with U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Chair of Electors, Dr. Lawrence Mondschein, speaking and saying his words about Kwan. He then introduced U.S. Figure Skating President Patricia St. Peter, who said Michelle is “the epitome of a champion on and off the ice.” St. Peter then went into a personal story about the 2005 U.S. Championships as a judge and why she pressed the 6.0 button after Kwan’s short program. St. Peter said, unlike anyone else, Michelle looked at you when she skated. Of the 6.0, St. Peter said, you only award if you don’t have to think about it, you just know. On that night, she knew.
After President St. Peter spoke, a list of Kwan’s career achievements were read aloud, drawing laughs from the crowd because it began to grow comical how many awards she had won over her dazzling career. A tribute video was then shown, depicting Michelle in every aspect of her public life. Clips of Michelle on the ice as well as in pop culture and media were shown with great applause and many times laughter when a clip of a funny commercial or segment of a TV show was shown.
After the video, Brian Boitano spoke about his and Michelle’s personal relationship. He spoke about her like she was a sister to him and that he thought to give her guidance many times, but that she didn’t need it, that Michelle was a natural. Boitano’s words were heart-felt and he recalled a story where the two were sitting alone together when Michelle told him that she wanted to be the President of the United States, which drew laughs and Michelle to point and jokingly scold him. Boitano continued his speech and then ended with, Vote Kwan for President.
After a video submitted by Condoleezza Rice, congratulating Michelle on her induction, Kwan was officially inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Kwan then took to the microphone and began by thanking the many people that have helped her throughout her career. She started with her family, then spent time to recognize many others individually. The largest cheers occurred when she thanked her many fans who have been with her throughout the years. Michelle said she always skated with her heart and that she is excited about starting a new life and that she would do everything in her new life the same way she skated, with her heart. After her speech, Michelle spent time greeting fans and taking pictures. There were 24 members of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame on hand who all took a picture with her on the stage.
Overall, the night was befitting of the champion Michelle Kwan was and will continue to be. There has been no one else like her in the sport. Thanks to the help of Mondschein, St. Peter, Boitano, everyone who attended and everyone who put on the event, the night was befitting of the honoree.
Friday’s Storylines
Awesome Abbott – Jeremy Abbott sets a new short program record to lead the men
Senior Men Press Conference Quotes
In Prime Position – Despite high marks from Maia and Alex Shibutani, Meryl Davis and Charlie White lead in dance after setting a new short dance world record
Senior Dance Press Conference Quotes
Today’s Schedule (Pacific Time, three hours behind Eastern)
12:00 p. m. Championship Dance Free Dance (Session 17)
CHAMPIONSHIP DANCE AWARDS
4:00 p.m. Championship Ladies Free Skate (Session 18)
HALL OF FAME IN-ARENA RECOGNITION AND LADIES AWARDS
8:30 p.m. Championship Pairs Free Skate- Early Groups 1 & 2 (Session 18)
10:00 p.m. Memorial Fund Reception – Club Regent at The Fairmont – click here for more information
TV Schedule
Universal Sports
U.S. Figure Skating National Championships from San Jose, California – re-air NBC shows
Saturday, January 28th
Ladies Short and Free Dance – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, January 28th
Ladies Free – 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Monday, January 30th
Men’s and Pair Free – 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Tags: Michelle Kwan
1996 – Michelle Kwan
