U.S. figure skating roster for world championships

By OlympicTalkJan 26, 2020, 9:07 PM EST

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U.S. Figure Skating announced its world championship team at the end of the U.S. Championships.

The team — three men, two women, two pairs and three ice dance couples — was chosen by committee and, as usual, went closely in line with results from nationals.

Save two exceptions: the third men’s spot went not to bronze medalist Tomoki Hiwatashi, but fourth-place finisher Vincent Zhou, the 2019 World bronze medalist; the second pair will not be silver medalists Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson, but instead fourth-place finishers Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc.

The committee decides the team considering results not only from nationals but also other recent competitions. Zhou and Cain-Gribble and LeDuc have more international experience and past nationals success.

Nathan Chen leads the charge as he attempts to win a third consecutive world title, coming off his fourth straight nationals victory. This sets up a duel with two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan.

Two-time women’s national champion, Alysa Liu, remains too young at 14 to compete on the senior international level. Her post-season assignments will be determined after the 2020 U.S. World Junior Team Camp, though it is widely expected she will make her world junior championship debut.

The world championships are set for March 16-22 in Montreal. The Four Continents Championships will run Feb. 3-9 in Seoul. Events will be televised and live streamed for NBC Sports Gold Figure Skating pass subscribers.

World Championships
Nathan Chen
Jason Brown
Vincent Zhou

Mariah Bell
Bradie Tennell

Alexa Knierim/Chris Knierim
Ashley Cain-Gribble/Timothy LeDuc

Madison Chock/Evan Bates
Madison Hubbell/Zach Donohue
Kaitlin Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker

Four Continents Championships
Jason Brown
Tomoki Hiwatashi
Camden Pulkinen

Karen Chen
Amber Glenn
Bradie Tennell

Alexa Knierim/Chris Knierim
Jessica Calalang/Brian Johnson
Tarah Kayne/Danny O’Shea

Madison Chock/Evan Bates
Madison Hubbell/Zach Donohue
Kaitlin Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker

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NATIONALS: Full Results | Women’s | Ice dance | Pairs | Men’s

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As a reminder, you can watch the events from the 2019-20 figure skating season live and on-demand with the ‘Figure Skating Pass’ on NBC Sports Gold. Go to NBCsports.com/gold/figure-skating to sign up for access to every ISU Grand Prix and championship event, as well as domestic U.S. Figure Skating events throughout the season. NBC Sports Gold gives subscribers an unprecedented level of access on more platforms and devices than ever before.

Canada wins men’s hockey world title; Latvia wins first medal

Associated PressMay 28, 2023, 8:00 PM EDT

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TAMPERE, Finland — Samuel Blais scored two goals to rally Canada to a 5-2 victory over Germany in the final of the world men’s hockey championship on Sunday.

It’s a record 28th world title for Canada, and its second in three years. Russia has 27 while Germany has never won the trophy.

Blais netted with a backhand 4:51 into the final period for a 3-2 lead for Canada, which was playing in its fourth straight final.

“It feels really good,” Blais said. “We’ve been in Europe for a month and we’ve all waited for that moment to play for the gold medal game. And we’re lucky enough to have won it.”

Lawson Crouse, Tyler Toffoli and Scott Laughton also scored for Canada, Peyton Krebs had two assists and goaltender Samuel Montembeault stopped 21 shots.

Toffoli stretched the lead to 4-2 from the left circle with 8:09 remaining and Laughton made it 5-2 with an empty net goal.

Adam Fantilli became only the second Canadian player after Jonathan Toews to win gold at the world juniors and world championship the same year.

Canada had to come back twice in the final.

John Peterka wristed a shot past Montembeault from the left circle 7:44 into the game. It was the sixth goal for the Buffalo Sabres forward at the tournament.

Blais was fed by Krebs to beat goaltender Mathias Niederberger and tie it 1-1 at 10:47.

Daniel Fischbuch put the Germans ahead again with a one-timer with 6:13 to go in the middle period.

Crouse equalized on a power play with 2:32 remaining in the frame.

It was the first medal for Germany since 1953 when it was second behind Sweden.

The two previously met just once in the final with Canada winning 6-1 in 1930.

LATVIA GETS BRONZE

Defenseman Kristian Rubins scored his second goal 1:22 into overtime to lead Latvia to a 4-3 victory over the United States and earn a bronze medal earlier Sunday.

It’s the first top-three finish for Latvia at the tournament. Its previous best was a seventh place it managed three times.

The U.S. lost in the bronze medal game for the second straight year. The U.S. team was cruising through the tournament with eight straight wins until it was defeated by Germany in the semifinal 4-3 in overtime.

Rubins rallied Latvia with his first with 5:39 to go in the final period to tie the game at 3 to force overtime.

Roberts Bukarts and Janis Jaks also scored for Latvia.

Rocco Grimaldi scored twice for the U.S. in the opening period to negate Latvia’s 1-0 and 2-1 leads.

Matt Coronato had put the U.S. 3-2 ahead 6:19 into the final period.

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2023 French Open women’s singles draw, scores

By OlympicTalkMay 28, 2023, 5:15 PM EDT

At the French Open, Iga Swiatek of Poland eyes a third title at Roland Garros and a fourth Grand Slam singles crown overall.

Main draw play began Sunday, live on Peacock.

Swiatek, the No. 1 seed from Poland, can join Serena Williams and Justine Henin as the lone women to win three or more French Opens since 2000.

Turning 22 during the tournament, she can become the youngest woman to win three French Opens since Monica Seles in 1992 and the youngest woman to win four Slams overall since Williams in 2002.

FRENCH OPEN: Broadcast Schedule | Men’s Draw

But Swiatek is not as dominant as in 2022, when she went 16-0 in the spring clay season during an overall 37-match win streak.

She retired from her most recent match with a right thigh injury last week and said it wasn’t serious. Before that, she lost the final of another clay-court tournament to Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.

Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, the No. 4 seed and Wimbledon champion, are the top challengers in Paris.

No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 6 Coco Gauff, runner-up to Swiatek last year, are the best hopes to become the first American to win a Grand Slam singles title since Sofia Kenin at the 2020 Australian Open. The 11-major drought is the longest for U.S. women since Seles won the 1996 Australian Open.

MORE: All you need to know for 2023 French Open

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2023 French Open Women’s Singles Draw

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