Abbott, Davis-White win short programs
BOSTON — After one of the best programs of a career that already includes three national titles, Jeremy Abbott nearly did a pratfall.
He would have been entitled following a spotless performance highlighted by three pictureperfect jumps, smooth spins and almost celebratory footwork in a short program victory Friday night at the U.S. Championships.
Coming out of his final move, his excitement overtook him and Abbott lost his balance. And when he saw his U.S.record points total, 99.86, a look of amazement dominated the 28-year-old veteran’s face.
“I went through all my history here,” Abbott said. “I tried to live all of it but stay in the moment and just enjoy what I was doing, each crossover, each step. I really did that. This is a night I’m never going to forget.”
Abbott has built a reputation as a strong domestic skater, winning nationals in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Yes, he was the top dog from the United States heading into the Vancouver Games, where countryman Evan Lysacek won gold and Abbott finished ninth.
That was one of many disappointments on the international stage for Abbott, including an eighth and two 11th-place showings at worlds. He failed to make the U.S. worlds team last year.
With another routine like his short program here, though, he’ll be America’s No. 1 contender at the Sochi Olympics.
“I have a toe maybe over the threshold of the jetway,” Abbott said.
He’s competing at his final national championships.
“I wanted to take in all the energy and all the excitement and just really live in it, because it’s never happening again,” Abbott said.
Abbott held the previous U.S. mark for a short program, 90.23 at the 2012 nationals. He shattered that, building a lead of 7.82 points over Richard Dornbush.
Jason Brown was third heading into Sunday’s free skate.
Earlier, Meryl Davis and Charlie White danced within range of their sixth consecutive U.S. title by romping in the short dance. Indeed, the current world champions and 2010 Olympic silver medalists could have danced all night and never been caught.
Skating to selections from “My Fair Lady,” Davis and White broke their own record with 80.69 points to build more than a seven-point lead on Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani were third; three teams will go to Sochi.
“This is the first time we felt comfortable enough to let things happen naturally,” Davis said. “This is the fifth time we’re competing the program. With this program, it’s all about being comfortable enough to let things happen naturally, and when you reach a point where it can be just fun, that’s what we really enjoy about skating.”
The free dance is today.