Tonya Harding fulfilled her promise to win a second national championship, something Nancy Kerrigan didn't get a chance to do.
Still, both are headed for the Lillehammer Olympics.While the injured Kerrigan watched from a luxury box Saturday night, sidelined by a severe knee bruise from being attacked by an unidentified man two days before, Harding skated intelligently to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships title and her second Olympic berth. Harding was fourth at Albertville in 1992, one spot behind Kerrigan.
"I came here to win and I did and I think I proved myself," Harding said. As for the Olympics, "Yes, I am going there to win," she added. "I don't see anybody as my top competitor. I see myself as my top competitor."
Kerrigan was forced to withdraw from the event, which she won last year, after being attacked following practice on Thursday. The U.S. Figure Skating Association's international committee voted unanimously to send Kerrigan instead of runner-up Michelle Kwan to Lillehammer.
"I haven't seen them; it's really too bad," Kerrigan said of Kwan and her coach, Frank Carroll, who supported the USFSA decision. "But she's so young and has so much time."
Kwan, a 13-year-old rising star from Torrance, Calif., was named as first alternate.
"I tried to do my best and whatever comes out of it, I'll be happy," Kwan said. "I think it's fine that Nancy goes to the Olympics. What I got is pretty incredible, anyway."
The USFSA said Kwan might accompany the team to Lillehammer in case Kerrigan can't compete. USFSA officials said they have until Feb. 21 to enter either Kerrigan or Kwan and until just before the technical program on Feb. 23 to make a substitution in case of injury.
Kerrigan has been told by doctors that she can return to skating next week and begin jumping in two weeks. The women's Olympic competition is scheduled for the last weekend in February.
A USFSA review panel will watch her skate on Feb. 6, then will decide if Kerrigan will be in good enough shape for the Olympics.
Kerrigan watched the event from a luxury suite at Joe Louis Arena, then said:
"I don't think I'm really surprised because of my past record. I'm really glad the vote didn't take any longer."
Kerrigan smiled throughout a brief news conference and seemed relaxed. She said the knee still was swollen and sore, but was much better than on Friday.
Harvey Schiller, executive director of the U.S. Olympic Committee, praised the decision to send Kerrigan.
"She has been the victim of a senseless and brutal act," Schiller said, "but she has demonstrated toughness and the competitive spirit that only an Olympian would have."
Harding nailed a triple lutz at the outset of her program, then popped an axel. She is the only American woman to complete a triple axel in competition, but she said afterward that she planned only a double at that spot in the program.
"The triple axel will be in her Olympic program," said her coach, Diane Rawlinson.
She also hit a triple flip, a triple loop and a triple salchow and landed on two feet on a triple toe loop. At the end, Harding pumped her fists, then collected the flowers and stuffed animals thrown onto the ice.
When she saw her marks and knew she had added the title to her 1991 crown, Harding turned to her coaches and said, "I won," and began crying.
"I'm very fortunate to be going to the Olympics again," Harding said, "and I am not leaving with anything less than gold."
Results
DETROIT - Results Saturday at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships:
Senior Women
Free Skate
1. Tonya Harding, Portland, Ore., 1.0 factored placements.; 2. Michelle Kwan, Torrance, Calif., 2.0.; 3. Nicole Bobek, Chicago, 3.0.; 4. Elaine Zayak, Paramus, N.J., 4.0.; 5. Tonia Kwiatkowski, Broadview Heights, Ohio, 5.0.; 6. Michelle Cho, Costa Mesa, Calif., 6.0.; 7. Jessica Mills, Chicago, 7.0.; 8. Lisa Ervin, Lakewood, Ohio, 8.0.; 9. Teresa Aiello, Stamford, Conn., 9.0.; 10. Amanda Farkas, Wilmington, Mass., 10.0.; 11. Lisa Matras, Redford Township, Mich., 11.0.; 12. Denise Long, Colorado Springs, Colo., 12.0.; 13. Keri-Anne Thomas, Norwalk, Calif., 13.0.; 14. Lisa Talbot, Brookfield, Wis., 14.0.; 15. Jennifer Verili, San Mateo, Calif., 15.0.; 16. Tricia Mansfield, Georgetown, Mass., 16.0.; x-Jenna Pittman, Cary, N.C., 6.0.; x-withdrew.