Tennell captures second U.S. title
Skater solid in final routine to hold off Glenn, Chen; Aurora Games’ Liu fourth
Bradie Tennell is back on top of American figure skating.
The 22-year-old Olympian, who had finished second and third at the past two national championships, followed her rollicking short program with a rock-solid free skate Friday night at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Tennell hit all seven of her triple jumps to finish with 232.61 points, well clear of her closest rivals Amber Glenn and Karen Chen.
“I don’t even know where to start. I’m just so happy,” said Tennell, who has dealt with injuries and inconsistency since helping the U.S. win team bronze at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
“That skate was everything I wanted to put out there. I was so happy and so grateful for everybody that helped me get here.”
Glenn finished with 215.33 points to edge 2017 champion Karen Chen by 0.35 points for the silver medal, while two-time and defending champion Alysa Liu struggled late in her program and finished in fourth.
Earlier in the day, Madison Chock and Evan Bates set a world record in the rhythm dance, scoring 90.10 points to edge Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue by less than a point in their first competition in nearly a year.
The U.S. championships were moved from San Jose, Calif., due to the COVID -19 pandemic. No fans were allowed.
They sure missed an edge-of-your seat women’s free skate.
Glenn, who had never been on the podium at senior nationals, threw down the score to beat when she finished a sterling program.
Liu, who competed in the Aurora Games in Albany, left her triple axel and and quadruple lutz out of her program as she continues to adjust to a growth spurt and coaching change.
Tennell was next on the ice and — well, she left it all on the ice.