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Some fans have tighter connections

Posted by Vince

Jan. 25, 2007 2 p.m. • 0 comments

U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS

When you’re watching the skaters perform, it’s easy to think of them as athletes and to forget they’re somebody’s neighbor, friend, brother.

That point was driven home during the junior pairs free skate Thursday.

As Kaela Pflumm and Christopher Pottenger prepared to take the ice, Christopher’s older brother Steven, a senior pairs skater, sat on press row – no he wasn’t supposed to be there, but what can you do? – and prepared to watch.

Nervous? By the look of him I would have to say yes. Then the music started and it became obvious. Steven was ready. His fist pumped every time his brother and Pflumm hit a move.

When the scores were announced, with Pflumm and Pottenger finishing fourth, less than a point off the podium, Steven was obviously disappointed.

Well, he’ll have his chance Friday, when he and partner Stephanie Kuban perform their free skate. They are currently 13th out of the 16 senior pairs.

We’re going to watch the men skate and blog throughout, so stay tuned.