News, Articles, Photos, social media coverage, etc. from Las Vegas (2021 US Nats)

[Sylvia]

USFS' Instagram reel video clips of skaters arriving in Las Vegas last night (17 secs.): https://www.instagram.com/reel/CJ7WLIWAaX-/

USFS' Fan Zone Nationals preview by Brandon Penny: https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...1-toyota-us-figure-skating-championships.aspx
(more Fan Zone individual skater & 'fluff' articles are linked in post #2 below)

NBC OlympicTalk articles:
Alexa Knierim/Brandon Frazier by Lynn Rutherford: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021...andon-frazier-pairs-figure-skating-nationals/
Alysa Liu (2) by Phil Hersh: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/01/08/alysa-liu-figure-skating-nationals/ & https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/12/11/alysa-liu-adds-jeremy-abbott-to-coaching-team/
Jason Brown by Phil Hersh: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/01/07/jason-brown-us-figure-skating-championships/

TeamUSA.org articles by Lynn Rutherford:
Audrey Shin: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/J...Audrey-Shin-The-Sky-Is-The-Limit-In-Las-Vegas
Jason Brown: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2020/D...Toronto-Jason-Brown-Works-Toward-Vegas-Return

Olympic Channel article by Nick McCarvel on Vincent Zhou: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/s...t-zhou-hard-work-ice-beijing-dream-interview/

Hubbell & Donohue compose a "Hallelujah" article by Jacquelyn Thayer: http://www.twofortheice.com/hubbell-and-donohue-compose-a-hallelujah/

Nathan Chen article by LA Times columnist Helene Elliott (based on his media teleconference call): https://www.yahoo.com/now/column-nathan-chen-set-pursue-163915652.html

 

[Sylvia]

Behind the Scenes in Las Vegas (Jan. 11; quotes from Terry Gannon & NBC producer Alexa Pritting): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...1-toyota-us-figure-skating-championships.aspx

Mariah Bell (Jan. 11; includes quotes from older sister Morgan & their mom Kendra): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...ariah-bell-builds-on-her-best-season-yet.aspx

Hubbell/Donohue (Jan. 10): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...b-the-mountain-again-at-us-championships.aspx

Jason Brown (Jan. 8; includes quotes from his mom, Marla): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...with-sights-on-2022-olympic-winter-games.aspx

Knierim/Frazier (Jan. 8): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...ierim-and-brandon-frazier-as-individuals.aspx

Colorado Springs teammates Hiwatashi, Pulkinen, Zhou (Dec. 23, 2020): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...ip-comes-first-for-colorado-springs-boys.aspx

Boston teammates Krasnozhon, Ma, Mitrofanov (Dec. 15): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...cking-Jokes-and-Pulling-Pranks-in-Boston.aspx

Texas teammates Cain-Gribble, LeDuc, Amber Glenn (Dec. 15): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...hy-leduc-and-amber-glenn-are-squad-goals.aspx

Nathan Chen (Dec. 10): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...ts-on-his-future-both-on-and-off-the-ice.aspx

Bradie Tennell (Dec. 9): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...de-bradie-tennells-secret-to-consistency.aspx

Chock/Bates (Dec. 3): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...with-same-motivation-but-new-perspective.aspx

Cesanek/Yehorov (Dec. 2): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...tep-and-breathe-in-line-with-their-goals.aspx

Hawayek/Baker (Nov. 24): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...top-ice-dance-training-mates-in-montreal.aspx

Pooja Kalyan by @clairecloutier (Nov. 19): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/news/2020/11/19/pooja-kalyan-comes-back-from-injury.aspx

Karen Chen (Nov. 11): https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...-chen-has-big-goals-for-us-championships.aspx

 

[slicekw]

I feel bad for Sappenfield's teams, but not so much for her?
Still, glad they followed the rules.

 

[Sylvia]

Nick McCarvel's preview article for the Olympic Channel:

Nathan Chen goes for fifth consecutive U.S. figure skating title: Preview

Can Nathan Chen join two-time Olympic champion Dick Button as the only man to win five U.S. titles in a row? He'll try this weekend.

www.olympicchannel.com

ETA (re-posting here from the Practice Reports thread):

Johnny Weir tweeted this unofficial practice clip today of Amber Glenn's 3A: https://twitter.com/JohnnyGWeir/status/1349133753487028225

 

[Sylvia]

Jackie Wong's preview & top 5 predictions:

2021 US Championships preview: No live audience, no problem — Rocker Skating - Analysis by Jackie Wong

Predictions - some expected, some head-turning - of the 2021 Toyota US Figure Skating Championships

www.rockerskating.com

ETA link to McCarvel's Knierim/Frazier article:

New U.S. pairs team Knierim and Frazier seek first national title together

Can two veteran skaters be the 'new kids on the block'? Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier are just that -- but already favourites at this week's U.S. Championships.

www.olympicchannel.com

 

[Sylvia]

Lynn Rutherford's Nationals preview: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/J...ight-Title-Headlines-Figure-Skating-Nationals

Phil Hersh's larticle on Nathan Chen: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/01/13/nathan-chen-dick-button-figure-skating/

Alysa Liu article by Elliott Almond who's been covering her since she won the 2018 U.S. junior title in San Jose (link also is posted in the U.S. Ladies thread in GSD): https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01...nsforming-a-year-before-the-beijing-olympics/

USFS' IGTV clip montage from practices (backstage and on the ice): https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKAuJ9ZgLzY/

Mervin Tran's wry sense of humor strikes again: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKAzQPbFl8-/

 

[Sylvia]

IDC's photographer in Las Vegas is blogging about her experience there (Jan. 12th is her first installment):

Melanie’s #21USChamps Blog – Day 1 – Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

ETA her photos from official practice #1 yesterday: https://photos.ice-dance.com/2020-21/21USN/Sr/PractWed1/

 

[Sylvia]

Phil Hersh's Gracie Gold article:

Gracie Gold’s progress stalled again after poor short program at U.S. Championships

With her characteristic and often searing honesty, Gracie Gold had minced no words in evaluating her dismayingly poor performances at Skate America in October.

olympics.nbcsports.com

 

[Wyliefan]

Is this really Alysa? She looks so grown-up and gorgeous! https://twitter.com/aimelisse_/status/1349748657172721664?s=19

 

[Rukia]

Is this really Alysa? She looks so grown-up and gorgeous! https://twitter.com/aimelisse_/status/1349748657172721664?s=19

Yes! I didn't recognize her at first even though they had announced the names. She looks fab, and she skated well. Best of luck to her this week.

 

[Frau Muller]

Is this really Alysa? She looks so grown-up and gorgeous! https://twitter.com/aimelisse_/status/1349748657172721664?s=19

A little makeup & can do wonders! This reminds me of Kwan’s transformation during the 95/96 season.
Editing to add:
Toyota made a wise investment in recently signing her gig, as it turns out. At first I thought, “How unrealistic.” “Living off the kiddie laurels...false hope to the public.” Maybe not so.

 

[Carolla5501]

That article on Gold makes me sad. I hate this for her but... “no stress” at virtual qualifying. Yeah she was in practice clothes, at a training session with other skaters and she did fine. Her coaches knew what they were doing. Back in competition and .....

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

I feel bad for Sappenfield's teams, but not so much for her?
Still, glad they followed the rules.

Related to this, if Carreira/Ponomorenko withdrew from Nationals due to an exposure to Covid on Jan 4, and Tom Z's students competing (he tested positive on Jan 4), what are USFS's rules re: timing and etc. of Covid exposures and withdrawing from this competition? The only protocols I can find are in a document linked off the USFS guidelines for reopening (USOPC Guidance: Considerations or Participation in National or International Camps or Competitions) from September, which says:

Any athlete or staff member who had close, sustained contact (closer than six feet for more than 15 minutes) within 48 hours of symptom development with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 will need to quarantine for 14 days and monitored for signs or symptoms of COVID-19.They are not allowed to travel during this time frame. If they develop signs or symptoms ofCOVID-19, they should be evaluated by a local healthcare provider.

I'm not accusing anyone of of anything, so no need to jump to that; I'm just trying to find out what the USFS's protocols are for athletes at this competition, and I'm not finding them.

 

[Carolla5501]

Related to this, if Carreira/Ponomorenko withdrew from Nationals due to an exposure to ********* on Jan 4, and Tom Z's students competing (he tested positive on Jan 4), what are USFS's rules re: timing and etc. of ********* exposures and withdrawing from this competition? The only protocols I can find are in a document linked off the USFS guidelines for reopening (USOPC Guidance: Considerations or Participation in National or International Camps or Competitions) from September, which says:



I'm not accusing anyone of of anything, so no need to jump to that; I'm just trying to find out what the USFS's protocols are for athletes at this competition, and I'm not finding

There’s already a thread beating this to death.
And If you needed to know the protocols they would’ve sent them to you, apparently you’re not at the event so it’s not really relevant is it?

 

[Sylvia]

Getty Images Photos (615 so far, including the top 4 ladies with their medals last night)

Melanie Heaney's photos fro Ice-Dance.com:

Senior - Ice-Dance.com's Photography Section

photos.ice-dance.com

USFS' Haley Maxwell's "Six-Minute Warm-Up" day #1 of competition with special guest host Peggy Fleming Jenkins (who has a "great seat" among the cardboard cutouts; this IGTV video also includes a Q&A with Audrey Shin before she competed):

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKCrwxkA_OT/

 

[Sylvia]

Getty Images Photos (1365 total)

USFS' Haley Maxwell's "Six-Minute Warm-Up" with Brian Boitano (before the Men's FS): https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKKC4FXAljP/

I've been posting event article links in the U.S. discipline threads in GSD and may re-post them here later (for easier reference).

 

[Sylvia]

Men's & Ladies' articles by Phil Hersh for NBC Sports' OlympicTalk:

In making history with fifth straight U.S. title, Nathan Chen competes against his own singular past

The trouble with being Nathan Chen is, nearly all the time, you are being judged against your past brilliance.

olympics.nbcsports.com

With brilliant skating by the top three, Nathan Chen still leaves no room at the top

When a skater has been as dominant as Nathan Chen has for three seasons, it is not surprising many others look at him as untouchable. That feeling is even shared by a skater like Vincent Zhou, the reigning world bronze medalist and, like Chen, a 2018 Olympian.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Bradie Tennell arrives again at the summit of U.S. women’s skating - OlympicTalk | NBC Sports

Bradie Tennell knows the old cliché athletes use to explain what keeps them going through thick and thin, when they try not to have their eyes always on a prize.“They say it’s about the journey, not the destination,” Tennell said. “But the destination feels pretty good, too.”

olympics.nbcsports.com

Bradie Tennell takes command in quest for an elusive second U.S. figure skating title - OlympicTalk | NBC Sports

After Bradie Tennell burst into prominence on the U.S. figure skating scene by winning her first national title in 2018, she did not imagine she still would be looking for a second one three seasons later.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Articles by Lynn Rutherford:
A LAST LOOK INSIDE THE VEGAS BUBBLE: WHAT WE LEARNED AT THE U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Jan. 19):

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/January/18/A-Last-Look-Inside-The-Vegas-Bubble-What-We-Learned-At-The-US-Figure-Skating-Championships

Men's FS: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/J...Makes-It-Five-US-Titles-In-A-Row-In-Las-Vegas
Jason Brown: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/01/17/jason-brown-quad-free-skate-nationals/
Free Dance & Pairs FS: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/J...hue-Wrest-US-Ice-Dance-Title-From-Chock-Bates
Great Park Ice pairs program: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/01/15/us-pairs-figure-skating-meno-sand-knierim-frazier/
Men's SP: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/J...rst-Step-To-Five-Peat-At-The-US-Championships
Alysa Liu: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/01/16/alysa-liu-figure-skating-nationals-championships/
Ladies FS & Rhythm Dance: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/J...Skate-Leads-To-Second-US-Figure-Skating-Title
Ladies & Pairs SP: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/J...g-Short-Program-Puts-Her-In-Lead-At-US-Champs
Knierim/Frazier: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021...andon-frazier-pairs-figure-skating-nationals/

Golden Skate's recap articles are all linked from here: https://www.goldenskate.com/tag/2021-us-nationals/

USFS Fan Zone's "Inside the Bubble" articles & photos:

Inside the Bubble: Different Ceremony, Same Award - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

As new U.S. champions were crowned at the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships throughout the weekend, the same jubilation was felt throughout the arena,

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Inside the Bubble: Kiss and Cry Moments - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

The kiss and cry had a new, updated look during the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships. To increase the excitement in the crowdless arena, Kiss and Cry

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Inside the Bubble: Seven Facts About Dining in the Bubble - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Just like everything in the new normal, athlete dining has been revamped to ensure a safe environment for everyone. Here is the break down of how athletes fuel up

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Inside the Bubble: Behind the Scenes with Friends of Figure Skating - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

It's Thursday, the first day of competition!

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Inside the Bubble: Interview Ready - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

This year at the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships, skating fans aren't the only ones having to tune in from home. Over 60 media members from around

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

USFS' behind the scenes moments/Blooper reel: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKM0t7pgQvi/

Georgia Tech's article on their graduate student Tyler Vollmer before he and Breelie Taylor made their senior ice dance debut:

Georgia Tech Student Competing at U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Georgia Tech graduate student Tyler Vollmer will be rubbing shoulders with Olympians this weekend as he laces up his skates for the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Las Vegas. Vollmer, who studies earth and atmospheric sciences at Tech, has been skating competitively since the...

news.gatech.edu

 

[Sylvia]

Ice-Dance.com's Senior photo galleries: https://photos.ice-dance.com/2020-21/21USN/Sr/

IDC's photographer in Las Vegas is blogging about her experience there (Jan. 12th is her first installment):

Melanie’s #21USChamps Blog – Day 1 – Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

Melanie Heaney's blogs from the bubble, cont.:

Melanie’s #21USCHAMPS Blog – Day 2 | Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

Melanie’s #21USCHAMPS Blog – Senior Wrap-Up | Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

 

[Sylvia]

Junior skater/team articles:

Local Oregon article/news video - Samuel Mindra's training challenges:

Klamath Falls becomes temporary home for Oregon figure skater

When the shutdowns in Oregon closed ice rinks around the state, a Portland-area figure skater needed a place to train and the Bill Collier Community Ice Arena was the perfect place.

www.kdrv.com

Sibling ice dancers Elliana & Ethan Peal by Anne Calder:

Peal & Peal: Savoring the Journey – Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

4 USFS Fan Zone articles before the start of competition:

2020 Junior Ice Dance bronze medalists Oona & Gage Brown by Christie Sausa:

"Nothing Else Matters" But Skating for Oona and Gage Brown - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Siblings Oona and Gage Brow been attracting attention for a while, but especially after performing their 2020-2021 free dance to Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters"

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

2020 Junior Pairs silver medalists Smirnova & Siianytsia by Claire Cloutier:

Smirnova and Siianytsia’s Skating Journey: From Ukraine to the United States - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

On January 20, Anastasiia Smirnova and Danil Siianytsia will take the ice for the junior pairs event at the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Last season,

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Daniel Martynov by Paige Feigenbaum:

Daniel Martynov Regains Triple Axel Post-Injury and Pandemic Rink Closure - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Things are finally looking up for junior skater Daniel Martynov. Last year, he experienced tendonitis in his left knee that sidelined him for three months, and then

tinyurl.com

Tamnhi Huynh by Megan Sauer:

At The Orleans Arena, Tamnhi Huynh is Ready to Entertain - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Looking ahead to the her second national appearance at the junior level, 15-year-old Tamnhi Huynh is focused on power.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[Frau Muller]

Start orders are going up for the Jr disciplines that begin tomorrow-

2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Event Results for 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships

ijs.usfigureskating.org

 

[Sylvia]

I've copied out all the Junior starting orders for today's first day of competition (Jan. 20) and added info links here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...s-virtual-fan-experience.107963/#post-5941658

These 3 Fan Zone articles were published in September 2020:

Isabeau Levito:

On Ice and Online, Isabeau Levito is Driven to Succeed - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

At 13 years old, Isabeau Levito has spent nearly her entire life on the ice.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Joseph Klein:

Joseph Klein Lunges into 2020-21 Season Full of Positivity - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Despite the obstacles brought on by COVID-19, junior competitor Joseph Klein anticipates a season of opportunity.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Katarina Wolfkostin/Jeffrey Chen:

Wolfkostin and Chen Strive for Continued Success in Second Season Together - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Youth Olympians and 2020 U.S. junior silver medalists Katarina Wolfkostin and Jeffrey Chen are coming off a successful first season together. The promising duo leads

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[Sylvia]

Recap of the Junior events on Day 1 (includes quotes from the top finishers in Pairs, Ladies, Dance, Men) by Brandon Penny:

Junior Competition Kicks off at the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Las Vegas - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

PAIRS

usfigureskatingfanzone.com