This article originally written by Antoinette for The Hearthstone Press
Men's
First -- Todd Eldredge Second -- Michael Weiss Third -- Scott Davis
What's this you say? What about the much anticipated clash of the Titans between Eldredge and Davis? Scott Davis is a fabulous skater when he can control his nerves, but that hardly ever happens. He skated abysmally in the fall competitions and he is threatening to turn into the Paul Wylie of the nineties. I would love to see him skate his best, which could easily win the National's or even the World's, but I just don't think that is going to happen this year, maybe not ever. Todd Eldredge went from has been to near unbeatable in the space of a few months. His new long program lacks the artistry he showed last year, but he will win this in a walk. The stiffest skater in years Michael Weiss has been landing his jumps brilliantly in the fall competitions. He has nothing to offer but his jumps but since when did that matter in figure skating. Weiss will not only knock Davis down to third he will knock Aren Nielsen clean off the platform and the World Team. This is very sad, because Nielsen has more style and artistry in his pinkie then Weiss has in his whole body.
Lady's
First -- Michelle Kwan Second -- Nicole Bobek Third -- Kyoka Ina
Even if Nicole Bobek hadn't skated badly in all the fall competitions, even if Bobek hadn't changed coaches just a month before the National's, I would still have to give this one to Michelle Kwan. For two years now we have watched Kwan and said, she is going to be great some day. Well someday came sooner then anyone expected. She skated brilliantly this fall, winning every competition in the International Series and beat World Champion Chen Lu. Her skating has a new maturity, musicality and beautiful artistry. She is holding out her moves longer, spinning faster, and jumping perfectly. She will win National's and the Grand Prix in Paris, and the only thing that will stop her from being World Champion will be hurricane Midori Ito coming out of Japan. That will definitely be a clash of Titans. Nicole Bobek is the most artistic skater in the U.S. since Rosalyn Sumners, but she still lacks consistency in the jumps. Perhaps after Nationals she will return to Coach Richard Callahan, who did more for her skating then anyone else she has worked with. Third place is up in the air, last year's Bronze Medalist Tonia Kwaitkowski is a big favorite with the skating establishment but an inconsistent jumper at best, Patricia Mansfield made a big leap in the standing last year, but I am looking for Kyoka Ina's artistry to carry the day. If Ina places third in the Lady's competition she will be the first skater since Kristi Yamaguchi to make the world team in singles and pairs. But look for Tara Lipinski, now skating as a senior to wage a big upset. She is a natural talent, and a wonderful jumper who will be winning titles very soon and may just sneak way up in the standing this year.
Dance
First -- Renee Roca and Gorsha Sur Second -- Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerod Swallow Third -- Amy Webster and Ron Kravette Yeah, yeah, I know this is the same standing as last year. But this is Ice Dance, which is judged by reputation even more than the rest of skating. Punsalan and Swallow have been skating much better this season, they have a lot more speed and just a lot more joy in their skating than Roca and Sur. But as I said this is Ice Dance, and judging is done by rote. No surprises here.
Pair's
First -- Jenni Meno and Todd Sand Second -- Kyoka Ina and Jason Dungjen Third -- Shelby Lyons and Brian Wells Todd Sand was skating like an old man in the fall competitions, but I think he and his new bride Jenni Meno will skate well enough at National's to win. Kyoka Ina and Jason Dungjen have the side by side triple jumps that Meno and Sand lack and their style is improved greatly this year. Their new routine to the music of "Slaughter on Fifth Avenue" is wonderful, and they could stage quite the upset. But Jenni Meno is graceful, flexible and lovely, if Sand can stand up she should carry them to victory. Don't look for Meno and Sand to pick up another world medal this year though. Without those side by side triple jumps these two will not see another world podium. Third place is wide open but Shelby Lyons seems to be being groomed for big things in the future and the judges will want to give her the experience of world championship competition.
So there you have it -- my stellar predictions. Keep in mind I am basing these predictions on skating talent and ability. I can not possibly account for all the prejudices, insanity and out and out cheating of judges. In skating the person who skates the best is very often not the one with the gold medal around their neck.
