Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue,
the 2012 U.S. bronze medalists, figure to be in the thick of the race. They’ve made strides with their subtle and romantic free dance to “Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody,” winning the bronze medal at Skate Canada. Other contenders include 2012 pewter
medalists Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Gi- ulietti-Schmitt, and two-time and reigning junior champions Alexandra Aldridge and Daniel Eaton.
MEN Aaron dialed in for a repeat finish Defending champion Max Aaron
achieved lukewarm results during the ISU Grand Prix Series, but remains one of the fa- vorites this week. The former junior hockey star from Arizo-
na trains his big-jump programs in Colorado Springs, Colo. This fall, he rallied to claim the bronze medal at Skate America in Detroit but hit a snag a few weeks later when he placed seventh in the nine-man field at NHK Trophy in Japan. “I feel great going into nationals,” Aaron
said. “It’s an Olympic year and I look forward to the opportunity to become an Olympian and two-time national champion.” “I went back to [choreographer] Lori
Max Aaron
sakov’s Scheherazade. At last month’s Grand Prix Final, they set records for the short dance (77.66) free dance (113.69 points) and overall (191.35 points). Their success is even more impressive
considering the strength and depth of the U.S. ice dance field. Several other Detroit-area teams could push the champs in Boston, with their own dreams of winning a medal and be- ing one of the three U.S. teams to qualify for the Olympics. Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, who
train alongside Davis and White, won bronze medals at their two Grand Prix Series events this fall. The two-time U.S. silver medalists and reigning U.S. bronze medalists will entertain the crowd with their free dance to a medley of Michael Jackson music. Reigning U.S. silver medalists Madison
Chock and Evan Bates won bronze medals at their two Grand Prix Series events. For the free dance, the couple will perform to selections from Les Misérables. In 2010, Bates earned an Olympic qualifying berth in Spokane, Wash., with partner Emily Samuelson.
Nichol and we revamped my long program with new selections of Carmen. I’m looking forward to showing the side of Max Aaron that I would love to show and keep talking about. It’s a great time to lay down a program that I’ve been practicing, at nationals.” One major void in this top field is Olympic
champion Evan Lysacek. Lysacek, who hasn’t competed since the 2010 Olympics in Van- couver, attempted to compete this fall, but injuries derailed his comeback hopes for the season. There are two Olympic berths up for
grabs in the men’s field. Vying to earn his second Olympic berth
is three-time U.S. titlist and reigning bronze medalist Jeremy Abbott. After a slow start at Skate Canada, the Detroit-based skater began to put things together at NHK Trophy, where he landed seven triple jumps and earned Lev- el 4s for all three spins and the step sequence in his free skate. Although he won the bronze medal in Japan, Abbott failed to cleanly land his quad toe in both programs. One of the most consistent skaters this season has been Adam Rippon. The 2012 U.S. silver medalist, who trains alongside U.S. la- dies champion Ashley Wagner in California, won the silver medal at Skate America and finished fourth at NHK Trophy. The Pennsylva- nia native’s goal entering this season was to
create a “big presence” on the ice and insert his name back into the Olympic Games con- versation. Mission accomplished. Illinois native Jason Brown made a state-
ment this fall with two impressive Grand Prix Series performances, the second of which re- sulted in a bronze medal at Trophée Bompard in Paris. Brown’s artistic mastery and evolving technical side make the Colorado-based skat- er a medal contender. Three-time U.S. medalist Ross Miner will
have the home crowd behind him. Miner, the silver medalist in 2013 and bronze medalist in 2011 and 2012, finished ninth at Skate Canada in October and withdrew from Trophée Bom- pard a month later with a right ankle sprain. “I’m finally able to train at relatively full
capacity,” Miner said in early December. “I look forward to being able to continue training hard until the U.S. Championships.” World Junior champion Joshua Farris,
2011 U.S. silver medalist Richard Dornbush and Boston’s own Stephen Carriere, the 2008 U.S. bronze medalist, all have the goods to earn a medal in Boston.
Wagner eyes three-peat Two-time and reigning U.S. champion
LADIES
Ashley Wagner comes to town riding a wave of momentum. After a successful season on the ISU Grand Prix circuit, which culminated in a bronze-medal finish at last month’s Grand Prix Final, Wagner is primed to challenge for her third consecutive title and first Olympic berth. “It’s going to be an incredible event. Obvi- ously with it being an Olympic year the stakes are much higher,” Wagner said. “We have a ton of talented American girls so I know I’ll need to be totally prepared going into nationals and hopefully into Sochi.” The California-based skater delivered
throughout the fall, claiming the silver medal at Skate America and the title at Trophée Bom- pard in Paris, where she defended her crown. She consistently landed her triple flip-triple toe combination, which was a major goal en- tering the season. In 2010, Wagner just missed represent-
ing the U.S. at the Olympic Games, finishing a close third despite turning in a stellar free skate at the U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash. However, unlike 2010, when there were only two U.S. ladies Olympic berths at stake, there are three for the 2014 Games. Nipping at Wagner’s heels could be Gra-
cie Gold, who rebounded from a ninth-place finish in the short program to win the free skate and take the silver medal at the 2013 U.S. Championships in Omaha, Neb. Gold, a high school senior who trains in California, be- gan the Olympic campaign by bringing home
SKATING 11
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