U S Figure Skating Championships

The weight of the gold medal around her neck didn't push Tanith Belbin over the edge Friday night. The weight of the moment did. That she and partner Ben Agosto would win the U.S. ice dance title was as certain as anything could be at the national championships, which are always stressful but this year are also the key factor in determining the Turin Olympic team. But until she got that medal on a red-white-and blue ribbon, 13 days after she gained U.S.

Despite the occasional appearance of a sequined lad tumbling across the ice as if falling off a bar stool, there are no drunk skaters here. Advantage, ski team. Unless gobs of gel count, there are also no competitors here being busted for using anabolic hair replenishment drugs. Advantage, skeleton team. The U.S.

Bebe Liang of Granada Hills added a dash of drama to the women's competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with a short program that showcased her power and dizzying spins. Johnny Weir added a dash of controversy to the men's event by being himself. Liang ranked a strong third behind favorite Sasha Cohen of Corona del Mar and Emily Hughes of Great Neck, N.Y., shaking up the scramble for the three women's spots at the Turin Olympics. Cohen, a four-time U.S. runner-up, earned 65.

The primary obstacle between Sasha Cohen and her first U.S. figure skating title vanished last week when nine-time champion Michelle Kwan withdrew because of a groin pull. But Cohen has hit an unexpected hurdle: flu. Cohen, of Corona del Mar, was off the ice for three days and performed only pieces of her short program Tuesday during the first official practice at the Savvis Center before the women's competition begins Thursday.

Michelle Kwan withdrew from the U.S. figure skating championships because of a pulled groin muscle, her second major injury this season, and will petition U.S. Figure Skating's International Committee for a spot on the Turin Olympic team and a chance to win the gold medal that has twice eluded her. The nine-time U.S. champion and five-time world champion, a Manhattan Beach resident, said Wednesday she pulled the muscle Dec. 17 and was told not to jump or spin before Jan. 13.

Michelle Kwan made sure to collect a few more 6.0 scores before they disappear into figure skating history. The Torrance native got three perfect marks for her short program Thursday and was ranked first by all nine judges, her first step toward a record-tying ninth U.S. title. Radiant in red as she skated to the Adagio from "Spartacus," Kwan drew a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd at the Rose Garden and padded her career total to 38 perfect scores at the U.S.

Tim Goebel has overcome back, leg and neck injuries to stay among figure skating's elite. He wasn't about to let wounded feelings prevent him from regaining the form that won him an Olympic bronze medal in 2002, the 2001 U.S. championship and two world silver medals. Goebel, a superb jumper but often wooden performer, said he was "a little surprised" when his coach, Frank Carroll, ended their 4-year-old partnership.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto are all dressed up with no place to go, at least as far as the 2006 Winter Olympics are concerned. Belbin and Agosto have soared toward the top of the international ice dance standings after winning two Grand Prix events and a silver medal at the Grand Prix Final this season. They're prohibitive favorites to win their second successive U.S. championship, but they can't represent the U.S. at the Turin Games because Canadian-born Belbin isn't scheduled to get her U.S.

He seized his head in his hands in disbelief, needing something to hold onto while the world around him was spinning wildly. As the crowd at Philips Arena gave Johnny Weir a standing ovation, knowing he had won his first U.S. men's figure skating title even before a perfect 6.0 appeared among his presentation marks, he leaned over to kiss his hand and touch it to the ice. "I was thanking the ice in Atlanta for letting me do my best," the 19-year-old Pennsylvanian said.