US Figure Skating Olympics Team 2018: Highlighting Favorites to Earn a Spot
The U.S. Figure Skating International Committee are set to name their full squad for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, with a host of star names vying for a place.
Bradie Tennell, Mirai Nagasu and Karen Chen have been chosen for the women's team after their placings at the recent national championship, with Ashley Wagner as first reserve.
Nathan Chen will be hoping to lead the men's contingent at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games in South Korea, and he remains the favourite to win the gold at the nationals. Chen's short program earned him a score of 104.45 points and first place heading into Saturday's final.
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Adam Rippon has displayed excellent form in recent months, but he remains short of the standard produced by the 18-year-old burgeoning superstar.
Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Christopher Knierim appear set to be named in the pairs after starring during the short program at the nationals.
Here is a look at the contending athletes.
Nathan Chen
Despite his youth and Olympic inexperience, Chen has put together some excellent performances over the past couple of years and appears unbeatable in the United States.
The Salt Lake City-born starlet has perfected his arsenal of quadruple jumps, and his medal chances will be high if he hits his usual standard.
Chen moved up to the senior events in 2014-15, finishing third in his senior nationals debut.
Winner of the Grand Prix final this term, the American is feared on the international circuit, and he will expect a medal if selected for the trip to Pyeongchang.
Adam Rippon
As a former world junior champion, Rippon's talent has been evident since his younger years, but he's now one of the senior team members at 28 years old.
The skater won the prestigious Four Continents Figure Skating title in 2010, the same year he last was named to an Olympic team, albeit as an alternate.
Rippon has battled with his form in the time since. However, the improvements have been there to see in his recent competitions.
He delivered a magnificent short program at the nationals and is currently a distant second behind Chen on 96.52 points.
Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Christopher Knierim
One slot is available for Team USA in the pairs, and the husband and wife duo is favorite to claim the berth.
The pair missed the nationals 12 months ago due to Scimeca-Knierim recovering from a serious gastrointestinal condition. However, their 71.10 score in the short program for the nationals was close to their personal best of 72.17, achieved at the 2017 world championships.
Tarah Kayne and Danny O'Shea have a chance of stealing the slot at the eleventh hour, but it would be a huge surprise if the current leaders at the nationals miss out.
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