2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships - Predictions

Who will win the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships? Our research staff provides predictions and analysis. The winners will qualify for the world championships. The 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships are scheduled for January 19-22 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.

⛸Final Results

Men
1. Nathan Chen* | 2. Vincent Zhou | 3. Jason Brown

Women
1. Karen Chen | 2. Ashley Wagner* | 3. Mariah Bell

Ice Dance
1. Maia & Alex Shibutani | 2. Madison Chock & Evan Bates | 3. Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue 

Pairs
1. Haven Denney & Brandon Frazier | 2. Marissa Castelli & Mervin Tran | 3. Ashley Cain & Timothy LeDuc

Predictions

🏆Men's winner: Nathan Chen. The 17-year-old from Salt Lake City has been tipped as the next American skating star and it is for very good reasons. Similar to former superstar Evgeni Plushenko, Chen is not afraid to challenge the quadruple jump. At the star-studded Grand Prix Final this past December, he landed four quadruple jumps to catapult from 5th place after the short program to a silver medal. His technical ability allows him to compete against the likes of Yuzuru Hanyu and Javier Fernández. His technical ability also increases the gap between him and the rest of the American male skaters. Jason Brown, his biggest rival at this championship, only managed to land his first career quad in competition three months ago. Chen's best personal score of 282.85 is almost 14 points more than Brown's best score. The national title is truly his to lose.

🌸Women's winner: Ashley Wagner. In term of form, this year's championship features a very mediocre field. Aside from Wagner, who won this season's Skate America, the rest of the skaters are either inexperienced or are suffering from poor form. Wagner's chief rival and defending U.S. champion Gracie Gold is in the worst slump of her career, finishing no better than fifth in three starts last fall. Two-time U.S. runner-up Polina Edmunds withdrew due to injuries. Former champion Mirai Nagasu hasn't done much since winning the national title nine years ago. Barring injuries, Wagner who is the most accomplished and most in-form skater in this field should easily win her fourth national title.