2000 United States Figure Skating Championships

Hello Everyone,

I have just arrived home from nationals. I definitely didn't skate my best, but I did pretty well for my first year as a Junior Man. I ended up 7th overall, and here is the scoop...

I arrived in Cleveland, and was ready to skate great. I went to my first practice at the Gund arena and felt really sick. I then went to medical and was diagnosed with an inner ear infection. I then was put on a medication to cure it before I skated, and that's exactly what it did.

I drew to skate 4th in the short program, and was last in the first warm up. There were 13 skaters, so this was a great opportunity to set a high mark for the "known" skaters coming up after me.

The short didn't quite turn out how we had planned. I was doing great till the triple flip came about. I poped the triple flip into a giant double and had no combination.

After the flip, I fell out of my triple lutz. This wasn't even close to how I normally skate, but it was the short program, and mistakes cost big time.

After being in 7th, I had a big jump to make to get to medal contentions. I skated a decent long. I did a double Axel, two triple lutzes, fell on my triple flip "but didn't pop it", did a triple loop, and two triple toes.

I didn't skate the best long of my life, but it wasn't the worst either. I got 7th again in the long and ended up 7th overall. Now that Nationals are over, I will train hard this year and impress the crowd next year on hometown ice in Boston at the 2001 Nationals.

Maybe there, I will win the Junior Men's title. I will now be working hard on my triple Axel, and the quads to earn a spot back onto the international team!

My focus is ahead for next year, and I quote this competition this way... "You can't win every competition, and being perfect takes time!"

Talk to you all later, and thank you for all the support!

Take care,

Nick