Nationals: A Return To Artistry All-Around Skaters Should Reap Benefits Of A Return To The Past

Figure skating is undergoing a subtle shift - a change that could bring aesthetic satisfaction to traditionalists.

As the U.S. Figure Skating Championships begin, look for a return to the artistry that characterized the sport for so long. Judges will still expect to see plenty of difficult triple jumps, but skaters this year will be expected to go beyond the pure athleticism of the recent past.

“This year they’ll be looking for the all-around skater,” said Carol Heiss Jenkins, five-time women’s world champion (1956-60) and a coach the past 16 years.

The championships, running through Sunday, have more than 300 skaters in 19 events. Winners in the premier events will advance to the World Championships March 17-24 in Edmonton, Alberta, with the U.S. sending three each in men, women and pairs and two dance couples.

“The United States, without a doubt, has the greatest depth of skaters,” said John Nicks, who has coached 36 champions in this country and Europe. “It’s incredible, and at the nationals is where you see it, from the 33-year-olds to the 12-year-olds.”

Nicks also took note of the move back to artistry.

“I’ve got the strong message they want a little more emphasis on the second mark - the musicality, the artistry,” Nicks said, referring to the judges’ scores for presentation, which follow the scores for required elements, or technical merit.

“They want to see the in-between stuff, the connecting stuff,” added Heiss Jenkins. “They want to see nice spins and moves between the jumps and how you relate to the music.”

Brian Boitano, men’s world champion in 1986 and ‘88, is skeptical.

“I don’t think there is going to be any change,” said Boitano, who will be making his debut as a television commentator on ABC’s coverage of the men’s competition. “They’ve said that for many, many years and it’s never been shown by the actual markings that they’re really serious about getting back to the artistry.”

Of course, the final say is in the arbitrary hands of figure skating’s often criticized judges.

Figure skating remains very popu lar, despite the sometimes quirky judging system, the rarity of big-time events (major competitions are held just once a year) and expensive tickets (the best seats run $40).

But a better indication of popular ity is found in the very respectable TV ratings figure skating earns routinely ranging from 8 to 14. By comparison, professional baseball and basketball usually draw in the 3 to 7 range. “Monday Night Football,” always one of the top 10 prime-time shows, averages a rating of 17.

ABC last year paid $35 million for the rights to U.S. Figure Skating Association events through 1999.

Referring to the popularity of the national championships, Nicks said, “It brings together live audiences that consistently number more than 10,000 and goodness knows how many millions watching on TV.”

The sport is settling back into its accustomed gentility following the Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan scandal of two years ago.

The closest thing to a controversy this year will be the battle for the women’s championship between defending champion Nicole Bobek and silver medalist Michelle Kwan.

Bobek changed coaches just a few weeks ago, dropping her coach of 14 months, Richard Callaghan, for Barbara Roles Williams - considered a risky move this close to a major competition. She also has skated poorly, slowed by tendinitis and swelling in her ankle.

“This year she’s had nothing but troubles,” Nicks said, adding Kwan was having “an outstanding year.”

Nicks said if both skaters hold true to form, “there could be a reversal” in the gold and silver medals.

Tonia Kwiatkowski, coached by Heiss Jenkins, is the favorite for the bronze, but Nicks noted, “The field is wide open.”

While the men’s side “is not quite as close,” according to Boitano, it’s a title that will be strongly contested.

Defending national champion Todd Eldredge is considered the favorite. But Eldredge, who also won the title in 1990 and ‘91, will be challenged by Scott Davis, the American gold medalist in 1993 and ‘94.

“It could come down to whoever skates well that night,” Boitano said.

Michael Weiss should finish in the top three. In pairs, Jenni Meno and Todd Sand, national champions the past two years, should repeat.

“It’s theirs to win or lose,” said Nicks, who coaches the pair.

Kyoko Ina and Jason Dungjen, silver medalists the past two years, will be there if Meno and Sand falter.

Renee Roca and Gorsha Sur should successfully defend their gold medal in ice dancing.