ESPN aired coverage of the 2001 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in Boston, Mass., at the Fleet Center. Hosted by Terry Gannon, Peter Carruthers, Peggy Flemming and Leslie Gudel, this event featured the Ladies short program.
During the Ladies short program, the following eight elements are required: Double axel, footwork into a triple jump, jump combination, flying spin, layback spin, combination spin, spiral sequence, and footwork sequence. Should any of these elements not be executed properly, the following deductions will be made: Fall on a jump, .3 - .4, landing a jump of 2 feet, .2 - .3, stepping out of a jump, .2 - .3, and touching down with a free foot or hand, .1 - .2.
First to skate was 20-year-old Andrea Gardiner. She missed her triple lutz/double toe loop combination at the start. She has an unusual technique of swinging her free leg way up in the air, which causes problems. She completed a double axel and a nice triple flip. Technical: 4.5 - 4.8, Presentation: 5.1 - 5.3.
Next was Sara Wheat, 15. She started off with a nice flying camel with great arm positions. Her triple lutz/double toe loop combination was nicely done, as was her double axel. She has a good entertaining quality in her skating, although she fell on her footwork. Technical: 4.3 - 4.9, Presentation: 4.3 - 5.1.
20-year-old Angela Nikodinov skated next, and did a nice triple lutz/double toe combination. She exhibited good flow on her triple flip, and displayed elegance on the ice with a good feel for the music. Her double axel and layback spins were fantastic, and she skated a perfect program. Technical: 5.4 - 5.7, Presentation, 5.5 - 5.8.
Next, Amber Corwin, 22, took to the ice, and performed a good triple/triple combination. She did a triple lutz next, and skated with a lot of expression. Nice layback spins, great speed, and good timing was noted. However, she did stumble at the end of her footwork sequence, and landed on the inside edge of her triple axel instead of the outside edge. Technical: 4.9 - 5.5, Presentation: 5.3 - 5.6.
Michelle Kwan skated next, and boy was this a performance to remember. This captivating routine was flawless, elegant, and absolutely spellbinding to watch. She started off with a conservative double axel, followed by a triple lutz/double toe combination, a solid, beautiful triple flip, difficult footwork, creative positions on her layback spin, and finishing up with her trademark spiral. Technical: 5.7 - 5.9, Presentation, 5.9 - 6.0. In all, she received seven perfect 6.0 scores!
