Abbott wins men’s short program
BOSTON — After one of the best programs of a career that already includes three national titles, Jeremy Abbott nearly did a pratfall.
He would have been entitled following a spotless performance highlighted by three picture-perfect jumps, smooth spins and almost celebratory footwork in a short program victory Friday night at the U.S. Championships.
Coming out of his final move, his excitement overtook him and Abbott lost his balance. And when he saw his U.S. record points total, 99.86, a look of amazement dominated the 28-year-old veteran’s face.
“I went through all my history here,” Abbott said. “I tried to live all of it but stay in the moment and just enjoy what I was doing, each crossover, each step. I really did that. This is a night I’m never going to forget.”
Abbott has built a reputation as a strong domestic skater, winning nationals in 2009, 2010 and 2012. Yes, he was the top dog from the United States heading into the Vancouver Games, where countryman Evan Lysacek won gold while Abbott finished ninth.
That was one of many disappointments on the international stage for Abbott, including an eighth and two 11th-place showings at worlds. He failed to make the U.S. team for worlds last year.
With another routine like his short program here, though, he’ll be America’s No. 1 contender at the Sochi Olympics.
“I have a toe maybe over the threshold of the jetway,” Abbott said.
He’s competing at his final national championships.
“I wanted to take in all the energy and all the excitement and just really live in it, because it’s never happening again,” Abbott said.
Abbott held the previous U.S. mark for a short program, 90.23 at the 2012 nationals. He shattered that, building a lead of 7.82 points over Richard Dornbush.
Jason Brown of Highland Park was third heading into Sunday’s free skate.
Dornbush, 22, has struggled since coming in second at 2011 nationals and didn’t even compete in the Grand Prix series this season. But he was spectacular from the get-go Friday night, landing a perfect quad and triple axel that had the fans entranced.
By the time his 2 1/2-minute program was done, the crowd was on its feet, Dornbush was on his knees throwing an imaginary punch through the air and celebrating a career best.
“I’m not sure any thoughts went through my head,” he said. “I was pretty excited, pretty pumped.”
And he was only the second skater of the night.
“I always seem to be early, so maybe I was in my comfort zone,” he said.
So was Brown in a smokin’ skate to Prince’s “The Question of U” — he even wore a black and purple costume embellished with rhinestones around his neck, and down his back and side, plus Prince’s “love symbol” on the back.
He nailed a triple axel and a triple flip-triple toe loop with gorgeous flow to open the program. He added a Lutz with both hands above his head, footwork that meshed with every element and with every nuance of the music, and speedy spins that had the crowd roaring.
“Everyone has such a good chance to make the team,” said Brown, who just turned 19. “It really pushes all of us to work as hard as you can.”
Defending champion Max Aaron was fourth, one of five skaters to land a clean quad.
“I’m looking forward to everyone skating well,” Aaron said of the free skate, which he won in 2013. “I want to send the best men, and that’s what I’m here for.”