The 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles was a thrilling experience for me last week. It was my first trip to see this championship and it did not disappoint. This competition was the qualifying round for various athletes and countries looking to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

The United States had a team of 15 skaters lead by Chicago native Evan Lysacek - who went on to win the Men’s Event with one of the most extraordinary long programs I have ever seen him skate. Featuring two solid triple axels (one in combination), Evan didn’t need a quad to pull off his first World Title against the best male skaters in the world. Other highlights for the US team were the silver medal rebound of ice dancing team Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto and the fantastic 9th place performance of Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett that brought the crowd to their feet. The final night was headlined by the ladies battle of the Asia with Yu-Na Kim of Korea and last years champion Mao Asada of Japan. Asada skated first and was incredible - her only mistake was a fall on her second triple axel. Overall I put Asada in second but the judges placed her 4th - it wouldn’t be a skating event without some controversy! Yu-Na Kim was fantastic and skated clean to win her first world title. The biggest shocker was Joannie Rochette of Canada winning the silver with a flawed performance including 2 step outs on triple jumps and a lack luster performance.

2010 will be the 100th World Championships of Figure Skating! And it will be held in Torino, Italy, host of the 2006 Olympic games. Travel to the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships for 9 nights of figure skating magic. See ALL the sessions, practices, short and long programs and more! This trip will feature the best of the Olympics without the big Olympic sized prices. Learn more about this great trip now: http://www.sportstraveler.net/pages/world_figure_skating_championships_travel_packages/1451.php

If you are a dedicated fan of figure skating, this trip is the one that you will want to be a part of. Reserve your spot today for only $100 and ask about our new payment plan designed to fit to your budget.

- anbritt

Announcing new Flexible Booking during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games!
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- anbritt

Sports Traveler is now offering our clients travel package tours and event tickets to the most exciting Figure Skating Events on the planet including the US Nationals and World Championships. I’m so happy to finally be able to bring these travel options to our clients.

I am a former competitive figure skater and coach and still am an avid fan. I skated for nearly 25 years training all over the USA first as a singles skater in figures (back in the day) and freestyle and later in ice dancing. I can tell you that watching ice skating on TV is fun, but nothing compares to being at the event and taking in the practice sessions leading up to the competitions.

When I was at the US Nationals in 2006, in St. Louis, it was also the competition that determined the US Olympic Team. Watching the Mens and Ladies Final Free Programs was some of the best skating I’ve ever seen of our US skaters. Sasha Cohen hung in through a dramatic free skate with Kimmie Meissner getting to the last double axel and falling to determine the final results.

For the Mens competition, Michael Weiss barely missed the team and ended up 4th but my memory of that competition will forever be watching the last competition of Tim Goebel. I grew up skating with Tim here in Chicago and it was sad to see him not make the 2006 Olympic Team.

For the US Nationals in Cleveland, the ladies field is going to be tight. There are so many young skaters, all performing unbelievable triple-triple jump combinations. Of the top 3 placing skaters, only 1 was old enough to compete at the Worlds. US Figure Skating had to dig into the rest of the field for skaters that were old enough to skate at Worlds and we were shut out of the medals. My pick this year is Caroline Zhang (4th in 2008) to win it all. But I see Rachael Flatt and last years champion Mirai Nagasu right in there. My sentimental pick to place in the top 3 is still Kimmie Meissner.

What will happen with the never ending Johnny Weir vs. Evan Lysacek rivalry? I still favor Evan, another Chicago area local. With less than 2 years to go everyone is going to be trying to be on the podium this season.

The event to be at will the 2009 Worlds in Los Angeles. How rare is it that the US gets a World Championships and in such a great travel location. I can hardly wait for March!

- Anbritt