Defending champ Lysacek second after short program
Posted January 23, 2009 10:00 pm
CLEVELAND - After a five-year run, Jeremy Abbott might be putting an end to the Evan and Johnny show.
Abbott easily won the short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Friday night with a routine that was the perfect blend of art and athleticism. His score of 86.40 points puts him almost three points ahead of Naperville native Lysacek, the two-time defending champion, going into Sunday's free skate, and is sure to get the attention of Brian Joubert and everyone else in the world.
Weir, the national champion from 2003-06, had a surprisingly disastrous outing. He popped a triple axel into a single and is down in seventh place, trailing Abbott and Lysacek by double digits.
Jeremy Abbott skates during the men's short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Jeremy Abbott, center, reacts to his score with coaches Becky Calvin, left, and Tom Zakrajsek after his men's short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Evan Lysacek jumps during the men's short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
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