ESPN.com - Weir wins men's short program at U.S. champs

ESPN.com: Figure Skating

Thursday, January 12, 2006
Updated: January 13, 7:31 PM ET
Weir wins men's short program at U.S. champs

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- The only thing more captivating than Johnny Weir's transformation were the words he found to describe it.


	Weir finished with a personal-best 83.28, almost six points ahead of Michael Weiss.

The two-time defending champion was back to his old artistic, eccentric self Thursday, winning the short program for a commanding lead at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. He finished with a personal-best 83.28, almost six points ahead of Michael Weiss.

"Figure skating is an amazing ride," Weir said. "You're feeling like the lowest scum in the pond two hours ago and go to the prettiest flower in the pond. It shows you the best and worst attributes."

The free skate is Saturday afternoon, and the winner is guaranteed a spot on the Olympic team. A selection committee will pick the other two skaters for Torino.

Evan Lysacek, expected to be Weir's main challenger for the title after winning the bronze medal at the world championships last March, was in third after a stunning fall on his footwork. Olympic bronze medalist Tim Goebel was way down in fifth after some troubles with his landings and lackluster presentation.

Up until now, Weir's season couldn't have been worse. The two-time defending national champion found out the difficulty levels for his programs were actually quite simple, forcing him to rip them apart and start over less than two weeks before his first competition. He sprained an ankle at his first Grand Prix event and struggled with some personal problems off the ice.

But he pulled himself together over the last few weeks and came to nationals with the best mind-set he's had all year. It certainly showed Thursday. Skating to "The Swan," Weir exhibited all of the grace and power of the majestic birds, from a soaring triple axel to footwork that was simply lyrical.

Men's short -- Watch Top 5
Here you can watch any of the Top 5 men's short program performances on ESPN360. If you do not have 360, click here. 1. Johnny Weir, Coatesville, Pa., 83.28. 2. Michael Weiss, Washington, 77.55. 3. Evan Lysacek, Chicago, 74.03. 4. Matthew Savoie, Peoria, Ill., 72.50. 5. Timothy Goebel, Evanston, Ill., 70.27.

Men's short -- Watch Top 5

Here you can watch any of the Top 5 men's short program performances on ESPN360. If you do not have 360, click here.

1. Johnny Weir, Coatesville, Pa., 83.28.

2. Michael Weiss, Washington, 77.55.

3. Evan Lysacek, Chicago, 74.03.

4. Matthew Savoie, Peoria, Ill., 72.50.

5. Timothy Goebel, Evanston, Ill., 70.27.

"It's not one of those you can clap along to," he said, comparing his to another skater's more raucous programs. "This one they kind of sat back and had their cognac and cigarettes and relax. His was more like a vodka-shot, let's-snort-coke kind of thing."

He didn't try a quadruple jump, but he didn't need one, either. The landings on his jumps were smooth and effortless, and his artistry was far superior to anyone else's.

While most of the other men trudged across the rink with a few turns and steps and called it footwork, Weir carved up the ice, twisting and turning and leaving a pattern so intricate it was worthy of Picasso. But when the music softened, so did Weir, with delicate hand gestures and upper-body movements that made him look, yes, swanlike.

Then again, how could he not with that costume? Black on the bottom; gray, white, mesh and gold on the top; and sporting enough sparkle and sequins to make a diva jealous. And that's without even mentioning the one red glove, meant to symbolize the swan's beak.

When Weir finished the program, he stomped his foot in delight and pumped his fists, grinning as the audience roared its approval.

"There was nothing wrong with it," he said. "That's something I haven't experienced in a while."

The 29-year-old Weiss is by far the oldest of the U.S. contenders, a three-time champion and two-time Olympian. But he can still show the young guys a thing or two, going back to the classical music that suits him so well and pulling out his best skate in years.

"Twenty members of my family saw me skating. My family has been here for 10 years and it's been growing," said Weiss, who is married with two children. "My children are 7 and 6 and they can stand up and applaud now. It was good for me out there to have them here."

Though he two-footed the quad in his quadruple toe-double toe combination, Weiss' normally troublesome triple axel was quite good. His footwork and artistry were impressive, too. His spins were fast and tight, and he landed his triple lutz right on a crescendo, timing that's very difficult to master.

He got a standing ovation when he finished, and Weiss stood in the center of the ice for longer than usual, soaking up the applause.

"My goal is to enjoy this national championships," he said. "I knew this is my last short program at the national championships. I had to stand there when I was finished and I was getting emotional. I've been at this competition a long time, and it has been a big part of my life."

Lysacek had the crowd revved up, flying across the ice like a matador eluding a bull. But he got a little too energetic and tripped over his toe pick, sending him sprawling on his stomach right in the center of the rink. He also two-footed his triple flip.

"I'll keep the same confidence I've had all season," he said. "At NHK I made up 10 or 11 points in the long program to win the free skate. The difference here is only 8½ or so; it's not a big deal."

And as Weir showed, transformations can happen quickly.