Each summer, figure skating fans are asked to vote for the eligible skater or team they believe is most deserving of the SKATING magazine Readers’ Choice Skater(s) of the Year Award (Michelle Kwan Trophy) based on the accomplishments of the past season.
Since 1989, this coveted award has traditionally gone to individual Team USA athletes and/or teams who have excelled at home and abroad.
Unprecedented circumstances this past season, however, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, prevented many of those eligible skaters and teams from competing, while also significantly restricting their ability to train or even practice.
Many major domestic and international competitions were canceled, including the 2021 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, 2021 World Synchronized Skating Championships, the 2021 World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships and the 2021 World Junior Championships.
And while this award recognizes those in the Team USA ranks, skaters and teams at all levels, in all disciplines and programs, experienced that same heartbreak and disappointment of not being able to compete and train as they normally do.
Despite these extraordinary times, however, skaters from coast to coast showed their resiliency and determination to make the most of their situations. When they couldn’t skate on the ice, they honed their skills off ice. When they couldn’t see their coaches in person, they jumped on a video call. When there was the chance to compete virtually, they signed up.
It’s that Get Up spirit that makes every skater worthy of winning this year’s SKATING magazine Readers’ Choice Award.
At the 2022 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Nashville, Tennessee, in January, SKATING magazine Editor Troy Schwindt will present the Michelle Kwan Trophy to “All Skaters,” recognizing their hard work, sacrifice and resilience during this unparalleled season.
The trophy will live in the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame and Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where it will help document this extraordinary time in the sport’s 100-year history.
Congratulations to every skater and team. You displayed the heart of a champion this past season.
