Mike finishes 4th at NHK Trophy

November 7, 2004

Photo by Katsumi Kashara

Michael Weiss finished fourth at the NHK Trophy this weekend at Nagoya, Japan.

Coupled with Michael’s third place finish at Skate America he is in the hunt to earn enough points to reach the Grand Prix final later this season.

Michael earned the bronze medal in last year’s Grand Prix final.

Michael was third after the short program, skating to the movie soundtrack of Henry V.

“With the new judging system, it just makes sense to go out there and get a good foundation in the short program,” said Michael.

Michael fell out of a triple axel in his free skate performed to music by Led Zepplin and Metallica. He missed the bronze medal by only 4.37 points under the ISU new scoring system.

Michael had to break in new boots days before Skate America when one of his boots disintegrated when he landed after a jump in practice. “I was on the ice for about an hour and a half and thought I would do one more triple axel. As soon as I landed, the boot separated from the heel and the blade cracked. I was just lucky there was no injury. It could have been a lot worse.

“It just exploded. I thought ‘wow’ this is something new. Luckily the day before I picked up new boots and blades.”

Michael will be quite busy once he returns home. He has a full schedule of shows that will be televised and he begins his first season with Stars On Ice.

Between those dates is the U.S. Championships scheduled in January in Portland, Oregon where Michael will try to add to his three national titles.

ESPN will televise the NHK Trophy Nov. 15 from 9-11 p.m.