Mike finishes impressive 3rd at Pro-Am

Michael Weiss finished third in his first competition of the season and was the only skater to get a standing ovation Saturday night in the men’s competition at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Michael's performance in Pro-Am bring standing ovation.

The Campbell’s International Figure Skating Classic Pro-Am was the first competition of the season featuring a lineup of the elite men skaters in the world.

"Everybody was all over the place and I think I got the standing ovation more because I skated a program with no falls. I was the last one out and I just think the crowd was pleased to see someone stand," Michael said with a laugh.

Michael tried to become the first skater to land the quad lutz but two-footed the landing. I haven’t been this aggressive this early in the season in respect to the number of quads I have tried in a program. Anytime you go out there you expect to do everything.

"It was a good competition and I felt good out there," Michael said. "I am very pleased how I skated. I’m very happy with the way things went. It’s a great start for the season."

Michael finished behind Alexei Yagudin and Evgeni Plushenko. His program, skated to "Malaguena" was a combination of his Olympic short program and 2 minutes, 15 seconds of additional skating.

Don Laws, who coached Scott Hamilton, was at the competition with Michael Saturday. "He was great. I got to know him a little bit more. He is a very positive guy and thinks positive thoughts."

Michael likes to keep to himself during competitions and focus on his programs. "Don and Audrey spoke before the competition and she told him what I like to do and how I normally compete. Don was aware I warm up slowly.

Some people would panic and say "Come on you’re running out of time and you’ve got to do this and do that.’ I had my normal warmup. I didn’t even warm up my quad lutz or quad toe."

Did you know?

Don Laws, former coach of Scott Hamilton, is working with Michael one day a week. Laws and Michael are the only skaters from the Washington Figure Skating Club to win U.S. National Championships. Both are U.S. Junior Champions. Michael won his title in 1993 and Laws in 1950.