Field of Gold: Ryan Bradley's "Amadeus" freeskate

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Ryan Bradley's "Amadeus" freeskate

It was announced this week that reigning U.S. Champion, Ryan Bradley, is retiring from competitive skating. This past season, Ryan fulfilled one of his lifelong goals of becoming the best skater in the nation, and also competed in his third World Championships. His 13th place finish at Worlds was his best placement at the event. Ryan has decided to bow out of the sport after enjoying his best season. Click HERE to read the article that was released on Icenetwork.com earlier this week.

In honor of Ryan's competitive career, which included a silver medal at the 2007 U.S. Nationals, I'm posting his "Amadeus" freeskate from last year's Nationals in Spokane, Washington. Though Ryan skated this same program in his winning effort at Nationals in Greensboro, N.C., in January, I'm highlighting this one because I think it is a tremendous performance that left Ryan only about 7 points (behind Johnny Weir) from making the Olympic team. Other than a doubled triple axel attempt, Ryan's skating was "on" here--including two outstanding quadruple toe loop jumps.

Always a crowd pleaser, Ryan's spoof of classical music here is sure to make you smile. It was particularly remarkable that during the most pressure-filled competitive program of his career at last year's Olympic trials, Ryan was the only skater that managed to infuse levity into his program. While my heart ached that he came oh so close to making the Olympic team, Ryan's performance here should still be remembered as a winning effort. He never gave up, fought all the way through, and made people laugh and smile the whole time. Truly a talent! I am thankful to Ryan for giving skating fans so much entertainment, humor, and joy throughout this performance, and his entire skating career.

Congratulations to Ryan on the accomplishments of his amateur career. Wishing him all the luck in his professional career!

Enjoy Ryan's "Amadeus":