ABC provided live coverage of the 2001 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships from the Fleet Center in Boston, Mass. The Men's Free Skate was commentated by Terry Gannon, Peter Carruthers, and Peggy Flemming. Limited to 4 1/2 minutes long, the following elements were required: One jump combination, four different spins, one footwork sequence, one "moves in the field" sequence, and musical expression.
Todd Eldredge was first to skate. His musical selection was "The 13th Warrior" by J. Goldsmith. He missed his quad jump but did complete a triple toe loop instead. Next was a triple axel/double toe loop combination which should have been a triple but he fell short of rotation. Additionally, he did a triple toe wally/double toe combination, had wonderful height on his triple axel, but then did a double toe loop and not a triple as planned. He appeared to be off on his timing. Similarly, he did a double salchow and not a triple. These are easy jumps for him, and he kept failing on his rotations. In his defense, he did show tremendous speed on his spins. This was obviously not his best performance. Technical: 5.5 - 5.7, Presentation: 5.7 - 5.8.
Matt Savoie skated next to "Concerto on F; Porgy & Bess", by Gershwin. He normally has sound jumping technique, but turned out of his triple axel but recovered nicely with his triple toe. He has a nice line, which is carriage and posture. He did an excellent triple flip/triple toe combination, a spiral eagle into a triple axel, and a hydroblade into a triple lutz. For this amazing performance, he received a standing ovation. Technical: 5.5 - 5.8, Presentation: 5.5 - 5.8.
Next to take the ice was Michael Weiss to "William Tell Overture." He attempted a quad toe/triple toe combination but fell. He stumbled out of his triple axel, fell on another attempt, but did do a triple lutz. He showed fatigue in the end, which was totally understandable after a difficult routine. Technical: 4.9 - 5.4, Presentation: 5.5 - 5.8.
Johnny Weir skated next, to "Heart of Budapest." He started off with a triple lutz/triple tow combination, showing nice style. He did a great triple axel/triple toe, and showed good awareness of the music, good low position on his sit spin, a wonderful triple slachow, and creative positions on his sit spin. Technical: 5.4 - 5.7, Presentation: 5.4 - 5.6.
