Here’s how to watch the U.S. Figure Skating Championships featuring Bradie Tennell, Mirai Nagasu, Ashley Wagner and Karen Chen online.
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships featuring Senior Ladies Short Dance (4 p.m. EST) and Senior Ladies Free Skate (8 p.m. EST) can be watched live on NBCSports.com. The thrilling nail-biting action from a sport that requires finesse and perfection will go down from San Jose, California at the SAP Center.
In figure skating, the term ‘Senior’ refers to the skater’s level of skating rather than the conventional age of a competitor. If a skater has ever skated on the Senior level they are not allowed to “regress” back to junior division for example. There are also no age limits.
Bradie Tennell sets U.S. figure skating record already
Excitement is at a fever pitch for 19-year-old skating phenom Bradie Tennell. The Illinois native is a favorite to make an Olympic debut and proved why she belongs early. Tennell placed first in Ladies Short Program mere hours ago, setting a new U.S. record at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with a score of 73.79. Hype was already building up for Tennell after she earned a Bronze medal at Skate America this past November.
Mirai Nagasu is right there with Tennell competing at elite level
Placing second was 24-year-old Mirai Nagasu with a score of 73.09 in Ladies Short Program, a medalist veteran. The California native is a six-time U.S. National medalist, earning the coveted gold in 2008. Nagasu was the second youngest woman in history to win a U.S. Senior Ladies title in 1997, after only Tara Lipinski. Fate has placed Tennell and Nagasu as semi-rivals.
Karen Chen, last year’s U.S. National Champion, has strong performance
Don’t underestimate 2017’s U.S. National Champion, 18-year-old Karen Chen. The California native placed third in Ladies Short Program with a score of 69.48. Chen first learned how to skate in 2005, in 2011 she was already winning Gold medals. Chen won a Gold Medal at Intermediate level in 2011, then earned another Gold Medal in 2012 at the Novice level.
Ashley Wagner, 3-time U.S. National Champion, free-skating to La La Land
Anticipation is soaring for Ashley Wagner’s free skate to La La Land’s soundtrack. The 26-year-old is a 3-time U.S. National Champion and no stranger to medals. Wagner was the winner of Skate America 2012/2016 and Skate Canada 2015. She was named to the U.S. team for the 2014 Winter Olympics and earned a Bronze Medal at the event. Free skating with La La Land’s soundtrack humming in the background to challenge for victory, sets the tone for this year’s story.
U.S. Figure Skating Championships live stream details
How to watch the U.S. Figure Skating Championships online via live stream or old-school on your TV:
Date: Friday, Jan. 5
Start Time: 4 p.m. EST (Senior Ladies Short Dance) and 8 p.m. EST (Senior Ladies Free Skate)
Events: Championship Dance / Short Dance & Championship Ladies / Free Skate
TV Channel: NBC / NBCSN
Live Stream: Stream 1 (NBC Sports), Stream 2 (Ice Network Subscribers)
Get all the latest 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships leaderboard updates at this NBC Sports link.