U.S. Figure Skating preview: Spins and spills take center ice

The schedule

The senior women's short program is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Those with the top 10 scores will compete in the free skate at 8:10 p.m. Saturday; the other 10 will perform their free skate at 8:45 p.m. Saturday. The Saturday evening session will be televised live on NBC (Ch. 11) from 7 to 10 p.m.

The field

A very deep group of 20 competitors includes two of the three women who made the podium last year -- reigning champion Kimmie Meissner and bronze medalist Alissa Czisny -- plus a host of up-and-comers. Caroline Zhang, Mirai Nagasu and Ashley Wagner will compete for a senior U.S. title for the first time. The trio finished 1-2-3 at the 2007 world junior championships. 2007 silver medalist Emily Hughes withdrew last week because of a hip injury.

The favorites

Meissner, 18, remains the skater to beat despite a poor outing at the Grand Prix Final. She fell on the first three jumps of her free skate to finish last. But all eyes are on Zhang, 14, who was fourth at the Grand Prix Final to top a momentous debut at the senior level. The 4-11 Californian has quickly become a fan favorite with her balletic grace and lovely spins. Nagasu -- another 14-year-old Californian with a similar style -- competed internationally as a junior this year and won the Junior Grand Prix Final.

What to watch for

And don't overlook ...

Rachael Flatt finished fifth at the 2007 nationals in her first year as a senior. The 15-year-old competed internationally as a junior this season and hit a combination of two triple jumps to highlight a stunning free skate at the Junior Grand Prix Final, where she finished second.

Last year's results

1. Kimmie Meissner, 181.68 points; 2. Emily Hughes, 180.86; 3. Alissa Czisny, 177.74.

The schedule

The field

The 18 skaters competing include defending champion Evan Lysacek, three-time champ Johnny Weir and current junior champion Eliot Halverson of St. Paul. Other notable entries include 2007 world junior champion Stephen Carriere and Ryan Bradley, who finished second to Lysacek at last year's nationals.

The favorites

Lysacek ended Weir's run of three consecutive U.S. titles last season with a personal-best total score. He finished second at Skate America and the Cup of China this fall to earn his first spot -- and a bronze medal -- in the Grand Prix Final. Weir is eager to get back to the top of the podium and is off to a great start this season, with a pair of Grand Prix golds at the Cup of Russia and Cup of China. He was fatigued at the Grand Prix Final and finished fourth but should be rested and motivated this week. Bradley and Carriere also competed on the senior Grand Prix circuit this season, both for the first time. Carriere medaled at the NHK Trophy and was fourth at Skate America; Bradley had a less impressive season with fifth- and sixth-place finishes at his two events.

What to watch for

And don't overlook ...

Local favorite Rohene Ward has been skating with newfound confidence this season. His sky-high jumps -- including a quad -- and one-of-a-kind spins make him one of the most captivating skaters on the men's side.

He will have the crowd in his pocket and could surprise if he avoids mistakes.

Last year's results

1. Evan Lysacek, 248.88 points; 2. Ryan Bradley, 219.21; 3. Johnny Weir, 213.20.

The pairs begin with the short program at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. The free skate is at 11:35 a.m. Saturday and will be televised on NBC (Ch. 11) from 3 to 5 p.m.

The field

A total of 15 pairs will compete, including the top five teams from last year and 2007 U.S. and world junior champs Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker. All three medalists from the 2007 nationals skipped the Grand Prix circuit this fall and will make their season debuts at Xcel. Defending champs Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski were surprise winners last year, edging two-time winners Rena Inoue and John Baldwin by .25 points. Former singles competitor Naomi Nari Nam and partner Themi Leftheris are fan favorites who won their first U.S. medal (bronze) last year.

The favorites

It's hard to say, because so many have not competed since last season. Baldwin and Inoue get the nod; they have been on the nationals podium for five consecutive years and skipped the Grand Prix season to concentrate on the national and world championships. They haven't dealt with the health problems that have bedeviled Okolski and Castile, who pulled out of their Grand Prix assignments while Castile nursed an injured foot, and Nam, whose third season with Leftheris was put on hold after her hip surgery last summer.

Could there be another upset in the making? McLaughlin and Brubaker, in their first season competing at the senior level, finished second at two Grand Prix events -- the Cup of China and the NHK Trophy -- but had to withdraw after the short program at the Grand Prix Final because Brubaker had a foot injury. If they are healthy, they could make the podium. Inoue and Baldwin, who finished seventh at the 2006 Olympics, fell on their signature throw triple axel and another jump at last year's nationals. They enter this competition determined to regain their title. Castile and Okolski want to prove their ascension from eighth place at the 2006 nationals to the gold medal last year wasn't a fluke, but they will need to be on top of their game in this well-matched field.

And don't overlook ...

Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent have moved up the U.S. ladder since teaming up in 2003. They were fifth at the 2007 nationals and fifth and fourth at their Grand Prix assignments last fall. They also became the first pair to complete a throw quadruple jump in international competition when they landed a throw quad salchow at the Trophee Eric Bompard in November.

Last year's results

1. Brooke Castile/Ben Okolski, 178.40 points; 2. Rena Inoue/John Baldwin, 178.15; 3. Naomi Nari Nam/Themi Leftheris, 168.4

The three-part senior competition begins at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday with the compulsory dance, followed by the original dance at 4:40 p.m. Thursday and the free dance at 4:45 p.m. Saturday. The free dance will be televised on Ch. 11 at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The field

Olympic silver medalists and 2007 world bronze medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto have won the past four titles. They headline the 13-team field, along with 2007 U.S. bronze medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White. Kim Navarro and Brent Bommentre, fourth at nationals last year, also will compete, as will 2007 U.S. junior champs Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates.

The favorites

It's unlikely anyone will thwart Belbin and Agosto as they try for their fifth consecutive title. Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov, silver medalists for the past four years, withdrew from the championships last week; they have not competed since Gregory fell on a rotational lift during warmups at Skate Canada last fall. Davis and White are making strides toward their goal of maturing in their artistry this year. They were third and fourth in their two Grand Prix events, following a season in which they placed seventh at the world championships -- the second-best showing by an American team.

The original dance rhythm this year is folk/country, which opened the door for Belbin/Agosto and Navarro/Bommentre to push some boundaries. Belbin and Agosto are skating a charming program to American bluegrass music, and Navarro and Bommentre are performing a stirring African dance in skirts and face paint patterned after Soweto traditions. Gregory and Petukhov had been on the podium in each of the past six years; their absence creates greater opportunity for up-and-coming teams to stake claims on the United States' three ice dancing berths at the world championships.

And don't overlook ...

Samuelson and Bates recently finished second in the Junior Grand Prix Final, less than four points behind the Russian winners. They're young -- she's 17, he's 18 -- but have plenty of international experience and appear poised to continue the upward trend of U.S. ice dancers. The nationals will mark their senior-level debut.

Last year's results

1. Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto, 202.28 points; 2. Melissa Gregory/Denis Petukhov, 187.64; 3. Meryl Davis/Charlie White, 184.11.