Mike wins Silver at Skaters' Challenge

Photo Album from Skaters Challenge

Audience loves the "Tornado"!

Michael Weiss unleashed his "Tornado", won over the crowd but finished a surprising second at the Hallmark Skaters Championship Saturday night, Dec. 14, at Columbus, Ohio.

Photo ©2002 by Chris Putman Michael takes off for the "Tornado" during his interpretive free program at the Hallmark Skater's Challenge in Columbus, Ohio. He completed the attempt, marking the first time that a back flip with a full twist has been completed in competition.

"Sometimes I get a little stuck on the flip, worrying a little too much about the rotation," Michael said with a smile. "Just the fact that I survived and stood up and skated away, I was happy. That was cool."

Michael’s wife Lisa said, "I’m scared to death, but I trust his ability. If it were anybody else, I’d say, ‘You’re crazy.’ ’’

It was the second straight night Michael finished second. On Friday night, Dec. 13, in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Michael finished second among an elite field of Olympic skaters.

On Saturday, he skated a short program and free skate in a competition that featured interpretive skating. Michael’s strong short program put him in first and in position to win.

During Michael’s free skate he performed the "Tornado", for the first time, a signature move that has a full twist during a back flip.

Michael’s "Freedom" blades, designed for him, also saw extensive use during his program. Amazingly Michael almost went the full distance of the ice while performing a spread eagle on his heels.

The crowd gave Michael a standing ovation.

"It was a lot of fun to be the first person to do the "tornado" in figure skating," Michael said. "My dad was an Olympic gymnast, and I started practicing it this summer with his help. Boy, it’s scary the first time you do it!"

Todd Eldredge, who competed against Michael, watched the performance. "Before I got on the ice Todd told me he was praying. I asked for who, and he said me!"

The crowd roared during warm-ups when Michael did a back flip without the twist.

Michael accepted the scoring but thought he did well enough to win. "I had a great time out there tonight. The crowd was with me, and it was just a lot of fun. In interpretive skating, you never know what the judges are looking for, but I had a blast."

Michael will now get to enjoy the holidays with his family while training for the U.S. Nationals scheduled for mid-January in Dallas, Texas.