Czisny Prepares For First Time in Spotlight at U.S. Championships
by Troy Schwindt

Czisny, 18, arrives in St. Louis as one of the favorites to earn an Olympic berth. She’s coming off an ISU Grand Prix season that included a second-place effort at Smart Ones Skate America and a gold medal at Skate Canada.

“I think Michelle Kwan has done so much for this sport and she has been a champion for so many years,” said Czisny during a Wednesday afternoon press conference at SavvisCenter. “I’m guessing they (U.S. Figure Skating International Committee) will give her the spot on the Olympic team. I just think it’s important for us to focus on our own skating.”

On Jan. 4, Kwan, a five-time World and nine-time U.S. champion, withdrew from competing at the U.S. Championships because of a pulled right groin muscle. She submitted a formal petition to the international committee for one of the three ladies spots on the 2006 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team.

That decision is expected after competition ends on Jan. 14.

Outside of the Kwan questions, Czisny said she feels ready to compete.

“I’ve been training very well this season,” Czisny said. “I feel like I’ve gotten more comfortable competing on the ice. I think in prior seasons I’ve practiced very well but gotten on the ice and been afraid and a little bit nervous. I think this season I’ve felt more comfortable competing and have been able to focus on my own skating.”

The only snag in Czisny’s current campaign came at the Grand Prix Final in Tokyo, where she finished a disappointing fifth.

Skate problems, she said, contributed to her woes there.

“For the Grand Prix Final I had a little bit of trouble training because I had some skate (blade not aligned properly) problems,” Czisny said. “It was a new event for me and I think I learned a lot of things. I skated well, just not my best.”

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