Coming Soon on NBC: Kwan Finally Steps Into The Press Box

With Junior Worlds starting up in few days, it’s the perfect time to talk about… Senior Worlds?

Well, yes, if only to pass on the news that Michelle Kwan is set to join the NBC’s broadcast team next month, and possibly beyond that. This article in the L.A. Times (written by Phil Hersh) confirms it:

The five-time world champion will be joining Bob Costas and Dick Button in giving overviews and reflections during the live telecast of the women's free skate final March 28. This will be Kwan's debut as a TV commentator.

So it sounds as if Kwan will be stepping into the slippers typically worn by Peggy Fleming in the ABC days. I suspect she’ll hold her own well enough, but still, I wonder if the role sounds as daunting to her as it does to someone like me?

Kind of exciting, though. Even when she’s not competing, I think Kwan brings a positive energy to everything she does. Figure skating needs her in any form they can get her!

But anyway, Junior Worlds is coming up, so let’s talk about…

Skate America 2009?

Well, just long enough to pass along this announcement about Lake Placid, N.Y. being chosen as the location for next season’s edition of the event. According to the article, Lake Placid hosted it in 1979 (its inaugural year), ’81, ’82… and not again until now. Hmm. Could the USFS be hoping for a psychological shot in the arm by revisiting a location from better times? Just a thought.

Did I mention Junior Worlds is coming up?

But I’m not making any predictions there, so I’ll simply post as it goes along next week. :-)

Until then, check this Clip of the Day ... Adam Rippon may not have done as well at U.S. Senior Nationals as he’d have liked this year, but I think he earned his keep well enough to say he should be a Junior Worlds highlight.