(ATR) The three men who will compete for the U.S. in figure skating are selected for the Vancouver Olympics - all favorites to medal.
Jeremy Abbott won his second free skate title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championship Sunday, defeating world champion Evan Lysacek in the process.
Abbott won by more than 25 points over second place finisher Lysacek. Johnny Weir finished third.
"This is probably the best performance I have given in my life, but I know I can give much more" said Abbott.
Lysacek, who had several costly mistakes said he wasn't concerned about how he will perform in Vancouver in one month's time.
"What happened here is absolutely not a reflection of what I'm going to be like at the Olympics."
Weir also said he was still on track to meet his goals.
"This was a performance I gave to make the Olympic team," he said. "That was my goal. My goal wasn't to be the national champion."
The first weekend of competition also included the Olympic qualification for pairs skating.
Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barret won the pairs competition. They will represent the U.S. in Vancouver with Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig.
For the first time since the 1988 Olympics, the American men are serious contenders for a gold medal. They have won only two medals since the Calgary Games, the most recent a bronze won by Tim Goebel in Salt Lake City.
The championships are taking place at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Wash.
Olympic qualifying events, the big ratings draws, are taking a break until Thursday when the compulsory dance and ladies' short program are held. Juniors events are held during the week. NBC will broadcast the ladies' free dance and free skate live on Saturday, the final day of competition.
Advance ticket sales to the event exceeded 140,000.
Reports last year indicated Spokane could net $26 million from hosting the championships.
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Written by Ed Hula III
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