The 2017 US Figure Skating Championships resumed Jan. 21 in Kansas City as senior-level winners were crowned in three of the four disciplines. Just a few hours after Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier claimed the pairs title and siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani successfully defended their ice dancing crown, Karen Chen held off a hard charge by three-time US champion Ashley Wagner to earn her first title. Here's a look at the results.
Karen Chen, Ashley Wagner dominate ladies free skate
The 17-year old Chen, who placed eighth at nationals last year, won both segments of the competition to earn her first championship title with a cumulative mark of 214.22.
Although Chen excelled during her long program, Ashley Wagner did nearly as well with her "Exogenesis" skate, which secured her enough points for the silver medal (211.78) and garnered praise from a number of her fellow skaters, including Madison Chock, who earned ice dance silver earlier in the day. Chock's tweet read "Goosebumps @AshWagner2010 @USChamps17 #StandingO"
A surprise bronze went to Mariah Bell, who rebounded from a sixth place finish in the short program to post a third-best 197.92. Former national champion and 2010 Olympian Mirai Nagasu, who entered the long program ranked second, fell to fourth (194.90) and claimed the pewter medal.
Gracie Gold continues to struggle
It was a less than golden competition for 2016 national title holder Gracie Gold, who placed fifth during the short and just ninth in the free skate.
Her final sixth place ranking represents her worst finish at the US Figure Skating Championships; the previous four years saw her place either first or second at each event. Her comparatively poor performance combined with struggles that date back to last year's world championships put her shot at making the Helsinki-bound world team in serious peril.
2017 US Figure Skating Championships results: The ladies' top 10
The ladies who joined Chen, Wagner, Bell, and Nagasu in the top 10 include:
- 5. Caroline Zhang, 182.82
- 6. Gracie Gold, 179.62
- 7. Angela Wang, 175.13
- 8. Amber Glenn, 172.63
- 9. Bradie Tennell, 169.98
- 10. Tessa Hong, 168.74
More results from the 2017 US Figure Skating Championships will emerge on Sunday as the men compete for gold. Nathan Chen holds a commanding lead after the short.