Countdown to the U.S. Championships: Great Moments in U.S. Championship History: Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, and Nicole Bobek's 1998 Freeskates

At the 1998 U.S. Championships in Philadelphia, Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski and Nicole Bobek skated three unforgettable freeskates. Michelle's made history by earning eight out of nine perfect scores of 6.0. Combined with her seven scores of 6.0 in the short program, Michelle swept the championship with near perfection. Her win was even more impressive coming off a stress fracture in her foot, which made her a question mark coming into the championship. All three skaters, under enormous pressure, rose to the occasion and delivered the goods in the city of Brotherly Love. I was an eighth grader at the time; I remember being brought to tears by Michelle's "Lyra Angelica" ("Angel's Song"), an ethereal composition of simplicity, freedom, and the passion to skate. The great American champion from the 1970s, Janet Lynn, described the performance as joyful.

Going into the 1998 Nagano Olympics, the top three American women were considered a triple-threat; some thought they would sweep the podium, much like Kristi Yamaguchi, Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan did at the 1991 World Championships where they made history. Kwan, Lipinski and Bobek even had a commercial contract with Campbell's Soup leading up to the Games, appearing in television commercials. The skaters were called the "Souper Stars on Ice."





Campbell's had a promotion where if you mailed in a certain number of soup labels, they would send you an Campbell's soup bowl autographed by Kwan, Lipinski, and Bobek. Knowing how much I loved skating, my mom's co-workers clipped soup labels for weeks and gave all of them to my mom, who mailed them in, and got me many of these fantastic "Souper Stars on Ice" bowls. I must have at least 8 of these bowls. I still have them to this day and enjoy them very much!

Enjoy the magical performances of America's top three in 1998:

Michelle Kwan's "Lyra Angelica":



Tara Lipinski's "The Rainbow" :



Nicole Bobek's "Invitation to Dance" and "Victory March" by Verdi:

In Honor of Michelle Kwan's Wedding Day: "Kissing You" by Dess'ree from the Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack

I just found out that Michelle Kwan got married today!!

Click this article from People magazine to find out more details.

The People article notes that Michelle incorporated the song "Fields of Gold" into her wedding. This will mean something to skating fans who know that Michelle's program to "Fields of Gold" by Eva Cassidy is one of her most lauded. She skated this program as her Olympic swan song in 2002 in Salt Lake City after winning the bronze.

In honor of today's joyous wedding occasion, here is a program Michelle skated in 1999 to "Kissing You" by Des'ree from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack. This seems like a fitting selection for today's nuptials.

Michelle has brought her fans much joy and happiness over the years with her marvelous skating, warm, humble personality and good sportsmanship. Here's wishing Michelle and her new husband much happiness and success as they embark on their new life together.

Countdown to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships: Great Moments in U.S. Championship History: Brian Boitano's 1994 Freeskate to "Lincoln Portrait" and "Appalachian Spring" by Aaaron Copeland

In the years leading up to the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, Brian Boitano, 4-time U.S., World, and 1998 Olympic Champion, petitioned before the powers that be to change the rules and allow professionals to reinstate to amateur competition. Boitano wanted to return to Olympic competition because he had a strong desire to grow as a person and athlete. He told ABC Sports commentators, "You cannot live on what you've done; you have to keep making challenges for yourself and not rest on the past." He also said, "The greatest feeling you can have is if you've challenged yourself and won."

The International Skating Union and the U.S. Olympic Committee agreed to Boitano's request. Subsequently, the rule change was known was "The Boitano Rule."

At the 1994 U.S. Nationals in Detroit, an event that is now infamous because of the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, Boitano returned to national competition after a six year absence to make his bid at making the U.S. Olympic team.

Though not his greatest performance from a technical viewpoint, Boitano's freskate to Aaron Copeland's "Lincoln Portrait" and "Appalachian Spring," is classic skating at its finest.

Commentator Dick Button, 1948 and 1952 Olympic Gold medalist, said during the broadcast: " This program, an exercise of simplicity-- grand movements, strong edges caressing the ice, not an ounce of mannerism."

The spread eagle section in the middle of the program is evidence of the power and beauty that holding a simple edge can have, a contrast to the frantic footwork and windmilling arms that we see in many programs in men's skating today.

Boitano's freeskate features the shaker song, "Simple Gifts." The lyrics go, "Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free..." These words ring true to Boitano's skating as he fills the space of the arena with a freedom and simplicity that is profound.

Enjoy!

Countdown to the U.S. Championships: Great Moments in U.S. Championship History: Meryl Davis and Charlie White's 2010 Original Dance to Indian Music

Meryl and Charlie's 2010 Indian Original Dance is innovative, intricate and engaging. Enjoy the program that became a worldwide sensation on Youtube.

Countdown to the U.S. Championships: Great Moments in U.S. Championship History: Michelle Kwan's "East of Eden" by Lee Holdridge

There is so much that I could say about Michelle Kwan's 2001 U.S. Championship short program to "East of Eden;" however, all I will say is, please watch this. It gives me chills every time.

The 2001 Championships, where Michelle won her 5th U.S. title, were held in Boston, Massachusetts. I'm excited to announce that thanks to my wonderful and generous boyfriend,Sahil, I will be attending next year's U.S. Championships and Olympic trials in Boston. It would be amazing if Michelle Kwan was in the house!

Enjoy "East of Eden":

Ode to Chen Lu: "Spring Breeze" from the 1996 World Figure Skating Championships

True to the name of the piece of music, Chen Lu's skating here is subtle and soft. In her bid to defend her World title, Chen arrived in Edmonton, the site of the 1996 World Championsips, on top of her game. In better shape than ever, the skater was also equipped with first-class masterpieces choreographed by the brilliant Sandra Bezic of Canada. Though Chen ended up finishing second to Michelle Kwan in both phases of the competition, her performances rise above the judges' marks.

Enjoy Chen Lu's "Spring Breeze" :

Countdown to the U.S. Championships: Great Moments in U.S. Championship History: Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski's "Requiem for a Dream"

One of my favorite U.S. pairs freeskates in recent memory. Brooke and Ben are the complete package. It's unfortunate that injuries held them back from achieving the international success that I think they could have had as healthy athletes, but this U.S. Championship win in Spokane, Washington, is a moment to applaud. My sister and I also had the pleasure of meeting Brooke at the U.S. Championships in Cleveland in 2009. She was just as lovely in person as she appears on the ice. In Cleveland that year, though Brooke and Ben struggled and finished 5th, their "Claire de Lune" freeskate, choreographed by the talented Marina Zoueva, was an artistic marvel.

Enjoy Ben and Brooke's "Requiem for a Dream":