Eight-time U.S. champion Michelle Kwan headlines some of the best skaters from around the nation who will showcase their talent during ABC Sports' coverage of the Marshalls U.S. Figure Skating Challenge. The field also includes Sasha Cohen, the defending gold medalist, and World bronze medalist Evan Lysacek. ABC Sports' coverage airs on SATURDAY, APRIL 16 from 4:00-6:00 p.m., ET.
COMMENTATORS: Terry Gannon, Dick Button, Peggy Fleming and Peter Carruthers will provide commentary from the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.
MARSHALLS U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHALLENGE:
LADIES: The Ladies' field boasts medalists from the last Winter Olympics, the U.S. Nationals and World Championships, as well as some rising stars. Eight-time U.S. champion and five-time World champion Michelle Kwan will look to hold off a group of old rivals and up-and-comers. Sasha Cohen, the defending champion of the Marshalls Figure Skating Challenge, is back. Cohen placed second for the third time at the U.S. Championships in 2004, after a flawless short program. Fellow American Jenny Kirk comes into this event after a fourth-place finish at Nationals. Kirk earned a bronze at the Four Continents Championship. Young Kimmie Meissner, the 2004 Junior Ladies National champion and silver medalist in the 2004 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, looks to make her mark. Emily Hughes, another young American competitor, took the bronze at the 2005 World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Beatrisa Liang is yet another up-and-coming young skater who has placed in the top 10 at the last three senior National Championships.
MEN: The Men's division boasts an impressive lineup. Headlining the Men's side is Evan Lysacek, 2005 World bronze medalist, three-time World Jr. silver medalist and 2004 Jr. Grand Prix Finals champion. Lysacek will be skating against some top competitors. Rising star Johnny Weir won the 2004 and 2005 U.S. National Championships but finished a disappointing fourth in the Worlds. Matt Savoie will be looking for a victory after finishing third in the 2004 Nationals and fourth in 2005. American Timothy Goebel has survived a tough 2004 season filled with illness and injuries. Goebel has bounced back in 2005, winning the silver medal at Nationals. Derrick Delmore will be a tough competitor, finishing first at the Eastern Sectional and seventh at Nationals this year. Young American Shaun Rogers will also compete. He finished eighth in the Junior World Championships and sixth at Nationals this year.
