Jeremy Abbott comfortable with being favorite at U.S. Figure Skating Championships
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Jeremy Abbott could have taken the easy way out. He could have said tonight's U.S. Figure Skating Championships is wide open, which would reveal either modesty or a complete lack of guts. Instead, the Aspen native with two national titles under his belt, as well as some colossal failures, put a bull's-eye on his chest.
Asked Thursday who was the man to beat here at HP Pavilion, he said: "Me. Absolutely."
On paper, it makes sense. With the retirement of Ryan Bradley, last year's champion and Abbott's former Colorado Springs training partner, Abbott is the only ex-U.S. champ in the field. He's the only one with a Grand Prix Final and Olympic berth on his résumé.
Abbott is considered the heavy favorite to win his third national title in four years. What has changed is his attitude. Known for psychoanalyzing his performances to the point where each competition is a Rubik's Cube, Abbott appears more at ease than at any time during his career.
http://www.denverpost.com/olympics/ci_19831695
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