U.S. Team Competing at 2004 World Championships in Dortmund, Germany
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| A few members of the U.S. Team; Sasha Cohen, Johnny Weir, Tanith Belbin, Ben Agosto, Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov.Photo by Michelle Wojdyla |
(3/22/04) - The top figure skaters in the world compete head-to-head this week in Dortmund, Germany, during the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships. Six individual athletes and four teams will represent the United States at the March 22-28 competition at the Westfalenhalle indoor arena.
Eight-time U.S. champion Michelle Kwan leads a strong ladies field in Dortmund. She will look to capture her sixth World title, adding to those she won in 2003, 2001, 2000, 1998 and 1996. Joining her is 2004 U.S. silver medalist Sasha Cohen, who placed fourth at both the 2003 and 2002 World Championships. Rounding out the U.S. ladies team is 2004 U.S. bronze medalist Jennifer Kirk. Kirk placed first at the 2000 World Junior Championships, then made the senior U.S. Worlds Team in 2002 but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Making his first appearance at a World Championships is 2004 U.S. champion Johnny Weir. This was the 19-year-old's first U.S. title after placing fifth in 2002 and withdrawing from the 2003 competition. The 2001 World Junior champion will strive to find similar success at the senior level. Three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss is looking for a strong showing after placing fifth at the 2003 Worlds. U.S. bronze medalist Matt Savoie joins the U.S. Worlds Team for the second time, placing 12th at the 2002 World Championships.
Rena Inoue and John Baldwin are coming off their first U.S. Championships gold medal win. They will compete in their second straight World Championships after a 10th-place finish at the 2003 event. U.S. silver medalists Katie Orscher and Garrett Lucash will look for a strong showing as well after placing 16th at the 2003 World Championships in Washington, D.C.
The United States will be represented by newly crowned U.S. ice dancing champions Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto. Dortmund marks their fourth appearance at a World Championships after placing seventh in 2003. The team has had a stellar season in international competition, placing first at 2003 Skate America, third at the ISU Grand Prix Final and first at the 2004 Four Continents Championships. They will be joined by U.S. silver medalists Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov, newcomers to the World scene. The team looks to continue its streak after capturing fourth-place honors at 2004 Four Continents.
The 2004 World Figure Skating Championships mark the 13th time a German city has been selected since Berlin first hosted the event in 1904. The last German city to host was Munich in 1991. During that year the U.S. ladies swept the medals, with Kristi Yamaguchi winning the gold, Tonya Harding winning the silver and Nancy Kerrigan winning the bronze. That year Todd Eldredge captured the men's bronze while Natasha Kuchiki and Todd Sand took home the pair's bronze.
The city of Dortmund has hosted the World Championships twice before, in 1980 and 1964, both times as a city of West Germany. During the 1980 event the U.S. World Team captured two medals - a men's bronze went to Charles Tickner and ladies bronze to Linda Fratianne.
The 2004 World Championships will include a total of 17 hours of national coverage on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. ABC Sports has broadcast the event since 1996. Portions of the 2004 World Championships will appear on ABC on March 25, March 27 and April 3. Additional telecasts will appear on ESPN and ESPN2. Go here for a complete TV schedule. Check your local listings for times.
