Skating On Thin Ice?

Even by the standards of figure skating, this was a strange event.
The 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which ended Sunday, were filled with more oddities than a French judge's scorecard.

Somehow, despite a judging system that's more complex than a computer manual, Coatesville native Johnny Weir and rival Evan Lysacek ended the men's competition with the same score, 244.77. Lysacek was awarded his second straight title because he had bested Weir in the free skate.

The combined age of the top four finishers in the women's event - Mirai Nagasu (14), Rachael Flatt (15), Ashley Wagner (16) and Caroline Zhang (14) - is 59. That's 19 years younger than NBC commentator Dick Button.

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Funeral Servies Set For Christopher Bowman

Funeral services for two-time World medalist Christopher Bowman will be held Thursday, Jan. 17. The two-time U.S. champion and two-time Olympian died Jan. 10 in Los Angeles at the age of 40. Known as “Bowman the Showman” for his flamboyant skating style, Bowman was found in a motel room in the North Hills section of Los Angeles.

Services will begin at 1 p.m. at Saint Cyril's Catholic Church, 15520 Ventura Blvd., in Encino, Calif.

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Source: USFSA

U.S. Figure Skating Hall Of Fame Inductees

Jan. 25, 2008 during U.S. Nationals in St. Paul, MN the USFSA will induct four people into its' Hall Of Fame.

-Janet (Gerhauser) Carpenter participated in the Olympics as an athlete, team leader and judge.
-Paul Wylie, 1992 Olympic silver medalist and five-time medalist at the U.S. championships.
-Todd Eldredge, the 1996 world champion and six-time U.S. champion.
-Charles A. DeMore, a former U.S. Figure Skating Association executive.