CLEVELAND — Jeremy Abbott’s “awful” day turned out pretty well.
Abbott, a 2004 graduate of Cheyenne Mountain High School, won his first title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Sunday, ending the five-year stranglehold that Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir have had on the top spot. It’s the second major title in as many months for Abbott, who won the Grand Prix final in December.
“I felt awful leading up to this event, I felt awful today, I felt awful on the ice,” he said afterward, smiling. “But I was able to control myself and do what I needed to do. I’m really relieved that it’s over, and I’m so excited that I won. It’s certainly something I’ve been working for for a long time, and I’m very happy it’s happened.”
Abbott, 23, finished with 241.89 points, more than 13 points ahead of training mate Brandon Mroz. Add in Ryan Bradley, and three of the top four skaters all train at the same rink in Colorado Springs.
Lysacek, winner of the past two U.S. titles, dropped to third after a surprisingly conservative and faulty program.
“The only reason why it’s so difficult to defend the title is because it means so much to me,” Lysacek said. “That’s the saddest part.”
Even sadder were Weir’s performances. He finished fifth after a lethargic free skate and a botched short program and was left off the world team for the first time since 2003.
“I completely take primary ownership of my illness and the fact I wasn’t prepared,” said Weir, whose preparation was compromised by a severe case of the flu over the holidays. “But at the same time, I can’t push myself and expect something that I know is impossible.”
For Abbott, the U.S. junior champion in 2005, anything seems possible these days.
Abbott’s talent was never in question. But he was often overlooked because of his inconsistency.
That and the fact that everybody took a back seat to Lysacek and Weir, who have not only dominated nationals, they’ve been perennial medal contenders on the international stage.
But Abbott turned these nationals into his personal party.
“Everything happens for a reason, and it happens at its own time,” said Abbott, a native of Aspen. “I may be a late bloomer, but I guess it’s just my timing and I’m thrilled that it’s happening.”
After finishing seventh in the short program, Weir needed a fantastic performance Sunday to have a shot at the world team.
Instead, he popped his very first jump, a triple axel, doubled what should have been a triple loop and fell on a triple flip. His footwork was incredibly difficult, filled with intricate steps, turns and hops, but he appeared to be going through the motions with it.
