TRUE GRIT T


U.S. BATTLES TO TAKE SILVER MEDAL AT WORLD TEAM TROPHY


by RENEE FELTON, LYNN RUTHERFORD AND TROY SCHWINDT


Team USA shows its true colors in representing its country at the World Team Trophy. Claiming the silver medal are [ l-r] Adam Rippon, Caydee Denney, John Coughlin, Gracie Gold, Jeremy Abbott, Ashley Wagner, Meryl Davis and Charlie White.


he United States pushed host Japan to the brink before settling for the silver medal at the 2012 World Team Trophy in Tokyo, April 19‒22.


Meryl Davis and Charlie White led the


charge by winning the ice dance event. Ash- ley Wagner rallied to claim the bronze medal in ladies. Gracie Gold, Jeremy Abbott, Adam Rippon and the pairs team of Caydee Denney and John Coughlin also contributed to Team USA’s final score. Team USA won the inaugural World


Team Trophy in 2009, which was also held in Tokyo. Te event is to be held every two years; however, the 2011 World Team Trophy was postponed until this year due to the series of natural disasters that took place in Japan in March 2011. Te next World Team Trophy is scheduled for 2013. “Obviously, we were going for first and


trying to repeat but I’m proud of how we all skated,” said White, the team captain. “We showed a lot of fight and character. It is a dif- ficult competition and we showed grit and supported each other. … Moving forward, we’re going to be going for first next year. Hats off to Japan for a great competition. In front of a home crowd, it’s impressive and it was special to be part of it.” Te top six national figure skating teams


from the 2011‒12 season — Japan, Canada, Russia, United States, Italy and France — participated in the competi- tion. Countries qualified based mainly on the


WORLD TEAM TROPHY Final results Japan — 55 USA — 53 Canada — 42 France — 42 Russia — 39 Italy — 39


Meryl Davis and Charlie White


Ashley Wagner 16 JUNE/JULY 2012


PHOTO BY RENEE FELTON


PHOTOS BY TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/GETTY IMAGES


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