Michael wins third U.S. title

Michael Weiss has certainly earned the title of the "Comeback Kid."

Michael won his third U.S. Championship in Dallas.

Sitting in fourth place entering the free skate at the 2003 U.S. National Championships in Dallas, Texas, Michael won the free skate en route to his third national title.

Earlier this year Michael came back from fifth in Paris to win the Trophee Lalique competition. Last year he battled back from fourth after the short program at the U.S. Nationals to earn a bronze medal and a berth on the U.S. Olympic team.

"This is the craziest Nationals I’ve ever been in," Michael said. "Skating right after them (Johnny Weir who was injured early in his program and Matt Savoie who had a costume problem), there was just an air in the building that was just the weirdest thing I’ve ever been involved in.

"It wasn’t fun. I’ve never had somebody not finish a program that was a couple of skaters or even right in front of me. For it to happen once and then happen a second time… I’ve never been involved in anything like that. For it all to happen at one time and then I ran into the flower girl, it was like," and Michael just shrugged his shoulders. "What else can happen tonight?"

Michael won his previous National Championships back-to-back in 1999-2000. This is the sixth Nationals Michael has medaled.

Michael attacked his program from the start. He tried the quad lutz and did not quite land that jump. But did land his quad toe later in the program – the only one to land one during the entire men’s free skate. "I felt the quad lutz was really good. It went around four tim

Mike answers questions at the press conference following his win at the 2003 U.S. National Championships.

Mike talks with Brian Boitano backstage at Nationals.

es and I felt really good about that."

Michael put a second quad in his 2002 National program to earn the final berth for the Olympics. He has been a skater known to fight back from adversity throughout his career.

During practice earlier in the week, Michael twisted an ankle while attempting a quad.

"I feel great. I feel good about the way I came back. I put myself in a tough situation again after the short program, but all you need to do is qualify to the next round and the next round is the World Championships," Michael said.

Michael has been working with new coach Don Laws this season. Laws has given Michael the confidence that he can accomplish his goals despite the tough times he has in some programs. "Don has been good for me. He’s always positive and is low key about everything," Michael said.

Laws’ calm approach matches well with Michael’s fighting spirit when he is down. "I think that was the key tonight because with everything that went on before me, I was the first person who actually skated a whole program, so I think that was nice for them to see. I’ve had nights like that and it’s not fun."

Michael will now have a full of year of nights when he will be introduced to audiences as the "2003 United States National Champion!"

Michael remains in chase for World team

Michael Weiss is in fourth place after Thursday's short program at the U.S. National Championships in Dallas, Texas. Michael performed a more difficult program than some of the skaters in front of him but was not rewarded for the technical difficulty.

Michael had come into the Nationals with a first and second place finish in two of his final tune-up for the U.S. Championships.

"I thought (the program) would have been good enough to be in second," Michael said. "I can't make any sense of it."

Michael was one of two skaters who tried a quad jump.

Michael, who was aiming for the National Championship and one of the men favorites, now must focus on his free skate and battle back to finish on the podium to make the world team.

"I have the long program in a couple of days and I have all the technical skills to do well,' Michael said. "Unfortunately I can't control my own destiny. I will need some help from the skaters in front of me," Michael said of his chance of winning the national championship.

The free skate is Saturday.

Michael focusing of winning title,
making World team

Michael Weiss said he isn’t as concerned with the World Championships coming to his hometown this year as he is competing in the U.S. Nationals beginning Thursday.

"I haven’t really been focusing on the World Championships other than the fact that they’re in Washington, D.C. Right now it’s the National Championships and that’s pretty much what this season has led up to. I felt like I’ve built confidence with every competition I’ve been in this season."

Michael finished his pre-national season with a gold at Trophee Lalique in Paris and silver at the Crest Whitestrips Challenge in Michigan.

"The ball is rolling really well right now and I think this competition will just keep that ball rolling and continue it right into the World Championships. My goal is to come here and skate two solid programs. I think if I do that then I can obviously be on the World Team and the champion."

Michael said he feels strong enough to challenge for the championship. He owns two U.S. titles. "I feel like I have the short and long programs that are capable of winning a national championship, so all I need to do is go out there and do my job."

Michael said it doesn’t matter if he is the defending champion, underdog or a newcomer to the senior championships. "I’ve been in every situation. I’ve been the up-and-coming kid chasing after the national champion in Todd Eldredge. I’ve been the champion myself. I’ve come back from injuries. I’ve been pretty much in every situation you can be in."

Michael said he isn’t settling on just making the world team. He wants to win the championship. "The U.S. Championship is a very coveted competition to win. Being the U.S. champion is a big deal. I would like to be the national champion in order to get to worlds. Being the national champion will give you a big advantage going into Worlds."

Mike hopes to reclaim title in Dallas

Michael Weiss is chasing his third championship when he competes at the U.S. Nationals in Dallas, Texas thhis week. He won consecutive championships in 1999 and 2000.

Michael has been in championship form in his past three competitions leading up to nationals. He won Trophee Lalique, a Grand Prix event, for the first time in Paris. Michael competed in successive nights in pro-am events in December and won silver at the Crest Whitestrips Challenge and the Hallmark Skaters’ Challenge.

Michael skates his short program on Thursday, January 16 and the free skate on Saturday, January 18.

It’s been a season of change for Michael. Don Laws now coaches Michael and has provided a steady influence on the Olympic skater. Laws, best known for coaching Scott Hamilton to an Olympic gold medal, has seen his work reap rewards late in the season.

Michael will chase history at nationals. He will try to land a quad lutz to become the first skater ever to land that difficult jump.

In the Hallmark Pro-Am in December Michael performed the first back flip with a full twist. That jump can’t be performed at ISU events but Michael, fearlessly, has added it to his exhibition program. Michael’s athletic and gymnastic background has paid dividends in performing the maneuver.

For the first time Michael will also be using his "Freedom" blades in competition. The rounded edges on the heels allow Michael to perform skills never performed before in competition. He has gotten more comfortable with the "Freedom" blades and his spread eagles have become a highlight of his competitive