Finally here!

So...the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships officially begin tomorrow at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN! It's so surreal to believe that they're almost here! I'll be interning for the U.S. Figure Skating media team throughout the week, working backstage, in the mixed zone, the media room, etc. getting great hands-on journalism experience!

This is the biggest annual skating event in the country, and I'm thrilled that it's finally back in Minnesota! The last time it was here was 1991 in Minneapolis, where Tonya Harding won her national title. Today's generation of skaters, however, are ready to step up into the spotlight. In addition to winning medals, these skaters are also vying for spots on the World, Jr. World, and Four Continents Championships teams. The world championships are in Gothenburg, Sweden this year, and the U.S. is able to send 3 ladies, 3 men, 2 pairs teams, and 3 ice dance teams.

Here are my early predictions:
Ladies - 1. Kimmie Meissner, 2. Ashley Wagner, 3. Caroline Zhang, 4. Rachael Flatt
Men - 1. Evan Lysacek, 2. Johnny Weir, 3. Stephen Carriere, 4. Ryan Bradley
Pairs - 1. McLaughlin/Brubaker, 2. Castile/Okolski, 3. Inoue/Baldwin, 4. Evora/Ladwig
Dance - 1. Belbin/Agosto, 2. Davis/White, 3. Samuelson/Bates, 4. Navarro/Bommentre

Anyway, it should be a great week of skating in St. Paul! I'll definitely update on the daily adventures in the life of a media intern! :)