The U.S. Figure Skating Championships recently concluded in St. Louis, featuring top American figure skaters.
Event Overview
Attendees included Olympian and commentator Adam Rippon and Cordero Zuckerman, known as Denali Foxx of RuPaul's Drag Race, who combines drag and figure skating.
Interviews with participants, staff, volunteers, and fans characterized the figure skating community as highly competitive and supportive.
Key Participants and Moments
- Skaters Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito were observed interacting positively.
- Young St. Louis-area skaters volunteered to assist with retrieving items from the ice.
- Maxim Naumov competed and medaled at his first nationals since his parents' deaths in a plane collision.
- Notable performances included Sonja Hilmer's women's short program, Starr Andrews' program, and Ilia Malinin's quad jumps.
Event Details
The event encompassed precision, pageantry, and elaborate costumes. Strict event restrictions influenced photography techniques, with photographers capturing routines from various angles, including low by the ice and from high in the stands. The rhythmic dance competition featured a 90s theme. New York-based skater Oona Brown, who also plays snare drum in an Irish marching band, participated.
Observers expressed an increased appreciation for the sport following the championships.