Can Rachael Flatt Pull the Ultimate Upset at 2010 Women's Figure Skating Championships?

Rachael Flatt is currently third place at the 2010 U.S. Women's Figure Skating Championships. Rachael Flatt is a figure skater that has been known for her consistency on the ice, and someone who will be looking to pull the ultimate surprise by winning the 2010 U.S. Women's Figure Skating Championships and with it a spot on the 2010 U.S. Winter Olympics Team. Thursday was just the first night for the women taking the ice, and it has set up what could be an extremely competitive final night on Saturday. Thursday introduced fans in Spokane, Washington to the short program, and Saturday night will be the long program, with the scores combining to choose the new women's champion.

The reason that there is going to be a new U.S. champion, is because the defending national champion fell during her performance. That stumble could cost her a spot at the 2010 Winter Olympics if the U.S. Figure Skating committee isn't able to look past it. If the top three skaters at the 2010 U.S. Women's Figure Skating Championship have anything to say about it, those two spots will be decided amongst them. This year the United States only gets to send two women to the Winter Olympics, and it means there is a very tough decision ahead in regards to this team. Right now Rachael Flatt sits in third place, but is less than 1 full point out of first place with a score of 69.35 so far.

Mirai Nagasu (the leader with 70.06 points) and Sasha Cohen (in second place with 69.63 points) are drawing all of the attention, but that doesn't mean anyone should count out Rachael Flatt just yet. Flatt is still only a high school student in Colorado Springs, but will look to really break on to the national scene with a strong performance at these U.S. Championships. Flatt has found success in the novice level, and she even finished second to Alissa Czisny in the 2009 national figure skating championships. Now a great long program is all that stands between Flatt and the 2010 Winter Olympics. The country will be tuning in Saturday night (TV broadcast at 9:00 P.M.) to see if she can do it.

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2010_Women's_Judges_Cards

2010_Men's_Championships