Abbott is one of a strong troika of distinctive American skaters each bringing their talents to Vancouver 2010. A career best for Abbott thus far has been the defense of his national title. His complex career has been a navigation through global level senior meets despite back injuries and revolved around Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek withdrawing from competition. Vancouver 2010 will be his first Olympics, as just missed the 2006 cutoffs. Abbott changed coaches just last year to Yuka Sato and trains in Michigan after a long residence in Colorado.
Jeremy Abbott is the two time defending American men’s figure skating champion who performed brilliantly to a crowd accustomed to seeing the best from Weir and Lysacek. Ryan Bradley was just not good enough to match the stellar talents of all three men at the top of an impressive creative artistry of skating athlete the men’s team is for Vancouver 2010. But can Abbott’s understated style expand to fill an Olympic arena and win crowd response at the crucial time?
Abbott is one of many USA men’s skaters growing up in the shadow of a Scott Hamilton-dominated sport. Born in 1985, he is ranked 5th in the world. Abbott has competed as a pairs skater and as an ice dancer competitively and has changed coaches many times as well. From Michigan, Abbott lives and trains in Aspen Colorado. Abbott has competed at the junior/senior level of men’s skating since 2002-2004.
Abbott’s stunningly flawless National long program included sparkling and fluid jumps and spins which conformed to an elegant yet expressive routine. The perfect program by a conservatively dressed Abbott in the long routine separated the excessive style and flashy showmanship of Weir and eclipsed the errors of newly styled Lysacek to win.
Abbott from a field of top contenders, any one of whom could have won the National Championship. Any gold medal skater watching Jeremy Abbott’s long program at the 2010 USA Nationals could see finesse, grace, and polish, but this can translate to a silver or bronze at the Olympics level for world skating competitions. Unless Evgeny Plushenko presents a poor routine or falls spectacularly, Abbott is outclassed before judging for the programs begin.
Vancouver Olympics Placement Estimation:
Unless Abbott can deliver flawlessly and outmatch Plushenko’s flashy charm and humping skills, silver is the best Abbott can do. But if Lysacek and Weir outdo him, he may not medal at all.
Dream Routine: Nationals 2010 and 2009
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