This article originally written by Antoinette for The Hearthstone Press

'96 Nationals: Practice Sessions

A cast of thousands, skaters, coaches, choreographers, reporters and fans have gathered to be the supporting players in the epic battle of giants, the re-match between Michelle Kwan and Nicole Bobek. It is the ladie's final that is the centerpiece of any skating event, and the contest between Kwan and Bobek has been one of the most exciting in years. The main attractions have yet to make an appearance though. All the top skaters have been in the practices, except the two young women who are the center of the whole competition. Perhaps they are trying to prolong the suspense and tease the fans. There are rumors that they have gone into seclusion to practice in a rink 20 miles to the north. The air is thick with anticipation, everyone is waiting for two teenage girls to make their presence felt.

While the other men practice Todd Eldredge stands just off the ice doing warm up exercises. He is nonchalant about the triple jumps being performed by the other skaters. He is the reigning US Champion and world silver Medalist, his toughest competition, two time US Champion Scott Davis, suffered from vertigo during the fall. Eldredge seems to not have a care in the world. Out on the ice youngsters Michael Weiss and Shepard Clark are performing triple jumps with great speed and height; Davis is landing one triple combination after another; Aren Nielsen and Rudy Galindo are doing brilliantly in practice. This could be a very tough competition.

Eldredge has dumped the routine to "Chess" that he used in the fall competitions. He is now skating to music from "First Knight" which is much more artistic and expressive then the "Chess" music. Eldredge's coach Richard Callahan has let it be known that Eldredge will not be doing any more tours just before Nationals as he did this year, skating last December in the Nutcracker On Ice. This still leaves into question the matter of the Collin's winter tour, scheduled just before the World Championships. Eldredge is scheduled for that tour as are Kwan, Bobek and Jenny Meno and Todd Sand. Many people agree with Callahan that touring just before a major competition is a mistake. If the US team falls on it's face at the World's in March, don't look for them to be doing any tours next season.

Last years Ladies Junior Champion Sydney Vogel, now skating at the senior level, is skating with so much speed you would think she was Bonnie Blair, her jumps are very high and fast, but she is inconsistent.. While Vogel won last year all the attention was focused on runner up tiny Tara Lipinski, like Vogel now in the senior ranks. This year Vogel seems to be trying to steal Lipinski's thunder by doing a very cutesy routine with childish grins and dances. Big mistake on Vogel's part, trying to out cute Lipinski is like trying to out cute Shirley Temple. It would be far better for Vogel to concentrate on her jumps and in presenting a more mature look, which is what the judges, if not the press, are looking for.

Predictions, Part 1: The Unsung, Part 2: Practice Sessions, Part 3: Finale
See some pictures