Wagner Wins US Title as Others Falter

[joeybee12]

Ashley Wagner picked the perfect time for the performance of her career.

Wagner won her first title at the US Figure Skating Championships last night in San Jose, Calif., salvaging what was an otherwise dismal night of splats and spills with a majestic rendition of “Black Swan.’’ She finished with a score of 187.02 points and then watched as two-time champion Alissa Czisny and Agnes Zawadzki melted down.

When the final results were posted, tears filled Wagner’s eyes and she rested a hand on the shoulder of coach John Nicks. It was further affirmation that Wagner made the right choice last summer, when she left her family on the East Coast and moved to California to train with Nicks, best known as Sasha Cohen’s coach. The change rejuvenated the two-time bronze medalist, who came into these nationals feeling it was her time to be a champion.

“I was really nervous going out there because I felt like it was getting to the point where I wanted it so bad,’’ Wagner said. “Then I remembered that I’ve made all these changes for a reason. Mr. Nicks has done a great of helping me refocus.’’

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/01/29/wagner-claims-women-title/cQvXX5mm0p6qcq4o1YA8xO/story.html

Congrats to her, but clearly there are no stars in the US women's field these days.

[OKNancy]

1. I watched this afternoon

in fact the men are on as I type....
She was OK, but as a former ballet teacher, I wish there was more of the true feel of the black swan. But, I'm really picky about that stuff and always look at the artistic part more than the jumps and spins.

[joeybee12]

2. You really do notice the artistic portion...

Because, quite frankly, most aren't usually all that good...Michelle Kwan was the last US woman to really excell in that...as for the men, eh, they can usually be worse.

[KamaAina]

3. Astonishingly, there was a time when San Jose was the center of the figure skating universe

Debi Thomas. Brian Boitano. Kristi Yamaguchi. Rudy Galindo.

And now it's come to this.