2001 Skate America Women's FS (ABC) | Michelle Kwan Wins After Coaching Split; Edges Sarah Hughes

Summary: The 2001 Skate America women's event unfolded against the backdrop of one of the biggest stories in figure skating: Michelle Kwan's surprise split with longtime coach Frank Carroll just months before the Olympic Games. The ABC broadcast focused heavily on the end of one of skating's most successful coach-athlete partnerships, with commentators questioning whether Kwan's decision to coach herself would strengthen or derail her Olympic campaign. Despite popping a jump in the short program, Kwan's composure and artistry earned her the lead ahead of fellow Americans Sarah Hughes and Sasha Cohen, while Russia's Viktoria Volchkova (Виктория Волчкова) sat poised to challenge for the podium. The free skate showcased a mix of emerging talent and Olympic-season pressure. Japan's Shizuka Arakawa (荒川 静香) opened the final group with a confident performance highlighted by seven triple jumps, moving herself firmly into medal contention. Attention then turned to 17-year-old Sasha Cohen, returning from a stress fracture in her back. After landing quadruple Salchows in practice throughout the week, Cohen attempted to become the first woman to land a quad in competition. The ambitious attempt unraveled early in her program, disrupting her momentum despite breathtaking spirals, spins, and trademark flexibility. Meanwhile, Viktoria Volchkova displayed her enormous jumping ability but struggled with costly mistakes that prevented her from capitalizing on an opportunity for gold. Skating under intense scrutiny, Michelle Kwan delivered a mature and composed free skate to Scheherazade. Although she doubled the second jump of her opening combination, singled a planned double Axel, and had a few untidy landings, she completed six triple jumps and relied on the elegance, musicality, and consistency that had defined her career. Her marks were lower than her usual standard, but they were enough to remain in first place heading into the final performance. The competition came down to Sarah Hughes, who produced one of the finest skates of her young career. The reigning World bronze medallist matched Kwan with six triple jumps, including an impressive triple Salchow-triple Loop combination, while impressing with flowing skating, elegant lines, and exceptional spins. Many in the Colorado Springs crowd believed Hughes had done enough to win, but five of the seven judges placed Kwan first, giving the four-time World champion a record sixth Skate America title. Hughes settled for silver for the second consecutive year, Volchkova claimed bronze, Arakawa finished just off the podium, and Cohen dropped to fifth after her failed quad gamble. The event set the stage for a fascinating Olympic season, with Kwan proving she could still win amid uncertainty while Hughes demonstrated she was rapidly closing the gap. --- VHS60fps, American coverage (commentators: Dick Button, Terry Gannon, Peggy Fleming, Susie Wynne). The 2001 Skate America was the first event of six in the 2001–02 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a senior-level international invitational competition series. It was held at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado on October 24–28. Ladies/women's free skate (FS) performances shown here: Rank Name Nation TFP SP FS^ 1 Michelle Kwan United States 1.5 1 1^ 2 Sarah Hughes United States 3.0 2 2^ 3 Viktoria Volchkova (Виктория Волчкова) Russia 4.5 3 3^ 4 Shizuka Arakawa (荒川 静香) Japan 7.0 6 4^ 5 Sasha Cohen United States 7.0 4 5^ --- Chapters 00:00 Michelle Kwan Splits with Frank Carroll 01:12 Short Program Recap 02:06 Women's Free Skate Preview 02:55 Sasha Cohen's Quad Salchow in Practice 04:16 Shizuka Arakawa (荒川 静香) [JPN] – Free Skate 10:29 Peggy Fleming/Sarah Hughes Demonstrates the Layback Spin 11:31 Sasha Cohen [USA] – Comeback Feature 13:10 Sasha Cohen [USA] – Free Skate 18:58 Michelle Kwan – Coaching Change Feature 22:53 Michelle Kwan [USA] – Free Skate (Scheherazade) 29:31 Viktoria Volchkova (Виктория Волчкова) [RUS] – Free Skate 35:06 Sarah Hughes [USA] – Season Preview 35:57 Sarah Hughes [USA] – Free Skate 42:19 Final Results 43:17 Michelle Kwan Interview 44:29 Sarah Hughes Interview --- #figureskating #フィギュアスケート #eiskunstlauf #фигурноекатание #피겨스케이팅 #pattinaggioartistico #patinageartistique #patinaçãoartística