U.S. Figure Skating Nationals

Mr. Hunter tagged along when his family went to see the ladies' free skate at the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships.

Mr. Hunter watches the medal ceremony.

Ashley Wagner during her championship-winning routine

Finding out she's currently in first place.

Ashley Wagner takes a curtain call before receiving her gold medal.

During warm-ups for the last group of ladies.

Alyssa Czisny jump

Silver medalist Alyssa Czisny

Mr. Hunter and Rachel Flatt

Rachel Flatt was quite moved
after she skated a strong long program.

Random moment where Rachel Flatt showed up to visit her family nearby.

Smiles from atop the podium.

Ashley Wagner and Alyssa Czisny made it to Team USA 

for the World Championships in March.  Go ladies!

U.S. Figure Skating Championships

San Jose, California

January 2012

U.S. Figure Skaters, Past and Present

Mr. Hunter lurked near the autograph lines 

in hopes of "posing" with U.S. figure skaters past and present.  

Hello, Kristi Yamaguchi!

Kristi Yamaguchi, circa 1992

Mr. Hunter was in the building at a ladies' figure skating practice session during the 1992 World Figure Skating Championships.  There's our Kristi Yamaguchi again.  She had just won the Olympic gold medal in Albertville, France and was on her way to winning her second consecutive world championship.

And here's Mr. Hunter "posing" 2012 U.S. silver medalist Adam Rippon.

A lovely skater.  Hope he does well at the World Championships this year!

U.S. Figure Skating Championships

San Jose, California

January 2012

Michelle Kwan

 One of Mr. Hunter's most favorite figure skaters is Michelle Kwan,

and it turned out that the ladies' free skate at the U.S. Nationals also featured a ceremony inducting Michelle Kwan into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

That's Michelle Kwan in the yellow.

Brian Boitano had introduced her.

She was especially moved.

Some of my favorite Michelle Kwan performances:

Winning the 2004 U.S. National title with this free skate to "Tosca":

                      

Skating to music from Peter Gabriel's "Passion" for her 2003 short program:

Skating to Eva Cassidy's "Fields of Gold" at the 2002 Olympics:

U.S. Figure Skating Championships

San Jose, California

January 2012