Post by Admin on Jan 25, 2019 18:44:50 GMT
A 4-7 breath of fresh air blew into the U.S. figure skating championships Thursday evening, barely visible above the boards on ice level. But then she started jumping, and the future of American women’s skating became crystal clear.
Alysa Liu, at 13 too young to compete at the next three world championships, isn’t too young to make you wonder if she isn’t setting herself up, with a little luck and a lot of patience, to be a force at the next Winter Olympic Games in 2022 in Beijing.
Liu, the youngest female skater in history to land the triple axel, the toughest triple jump there is, performed nearly flawlessly in the women’s short program, finishing behind only defending national champion Bradie Tennell, 76.60 points to 73.89.
If she skates with the same unbridled joy in Friday’s long program, and lands the two triple axels she has planned, Liu will make the podium in her senior (Olympic level) national debut, one year after winning the junior national title.
"The future looks great tonight," two-time U.S. Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger texted after the competition. Alysa Liu, the 13-year-old wonder, was in second with 73.89 points. “I’m just happy I landed all of my jumps,” Liu said. “It’s my first year at seniors. So super excited.”
Alysa Liu, at 13 too young to compete at the next three world championships, isn’t too young to make you wonder if she isn’t setting herself up, with a little luck and a lot of patience, to be a force at the next Winter Olympic Games in 2022 in Beijing.
Liu, the youngest female skater in history to land the triple axel, the toughest triple jump there is, performed nearly flawlessly in the women’s short program, finishing behind only defending national champion Bradie Tennell, 76.60 points to 73.89.
If she skates with the same unbridled joy in Friday’s long program, and lands the two triple axels she has planned, Liu will make the podium in her senior (Olympic level) national debut, one year after winning the junior national title.
"The future looks great tonight," two-time U.S. Olympic coach Audrey Weisiger texted after the competition. Alysa Liu, the 13-year-old wonder, was in second with 73.89 points. “I’m just happy I landed all of my jumps,” Liu said. “It’s my first year at seniors. So super excited.”
