Evan wins the 2009 Readers' Choice Award for Skater of the Year

August 5, 2009 — U.S. Figure Skating and SKATING magazine announced today that 2009 World champion Evan has won the 2009 Readers' Choice Award for Skater of the Year Michelle Kwan Trophy. This is the first time Evan has taken home this honor.

"I am so honored to join the esteemed list of Readers' Choice recipients," Evan said. "I have to thank SKATING magazine readers and my loyal fans and for their continued support – my fans play such an important role in my life."

Meryl Davis & Charlie White, the 2009 U.S. ice dancing champions, came in second, followed by last year's Readers' Choice winner and 2008 World bronze medalist Johnny Weir in third.

Evan started slowly in 2008-09, taking home bronze medals from both Skate America and Skate Canada and failing to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final for the first time in four years. After a bronze-medal-winning performance at the 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland, Ohio, in January, the two-time U.S. champion bounced back to garner silver at the 2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia, and capture gold in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships.

He also placed first in the men's competition at the World Team Trophy in Tokyo in April, helping the United States earn a victory at the inaugural staging of the competition.

"I want to thank my parents for the hard work they've put into my career, and my coach, Frank Carroll, for always guiding me in the right direction," Evan said. "Together, my parents, coach, U.S. judges, U.S. team leaders and my fans make up my ‘skating family', and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world."

The full title of the award is the "Reader's Choice Skater(s) of the Year, Michelle Kwan Trophy." The trophy will be presented to Evan at the 2010 U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash., where Evan will compete for berth on the team for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. He is also a 2006 Olympian.

Each spring, SKATING magazine readers are asked to vote for the eligible skater in any discipline whom they believe is most deserving of the award, based on the accomplishments of the past season. The Michelle Kwan Trophy, which represents both the sport of figure skating and SKATING magazine, is a one-of-a-kind crystal sculpture designed by Crystal Signatures of Pennsylvania.

The Readers' Choice Award is given annually by SKATING magazine, the official publication of U.S. Figure Skating. Voting was open to the public on www.usfigureskating.org.

Press release from U.S. Figure Skating

 

 

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

Athlete Profile: Sarasvati Channarayapatra
by Al Bauer



Above: Sarasvati Channarayapatra shows off her gold from the Unified Beretania Nationals in her signature event, the 100m Freestyle.

Columbia, UCS - She is quite simply the best swimmer that Unified Beretania has ever seen, male or female. In these Olympics, she is the most prized weapon in Beretania’s swimming arsenal.

However in these Games, Sarasvati Channarayapatra will be facing some tough competition from countries like Newmanistan, whose swimmers are poised to dominate the swimming events. The competition is so fierce, she may not even medal at all, even in her signature event, the 100m Freestyle.

The daughter of Indian immigrants has gotten Beretanians to fall in love with swimming, much in the same way the country caught gymnastics fever from gymnasts like Anastasia Kostrikova.

I interviewed Sarasvati before she left Albavona for Columbia and the III Olympiad.

Al Bauer: Sarasvati, how does it feel to be headed to these Olympics? You breezed through the Nationals, sweeping up gold in your signature event, the 100m Freestyle, and you were the best in the Olympic trials. That has to be the most amazing feeling.

Sarasvati Channarayapatra: Yes, it is. I’m so thankful to live in a country where I even have this chance at all. So many nations look down on immigrants, but I am so thankful to live in a country where I am recognized for being a Beretanian first and of Indian descent second. I’m still very humble though because I know I’m going up against the world’s best swimmers. There is a lot of talent coming out of Newmanistan and Secristan and so many others.

AB: I remember though when you first came onto the national radar so to speak in swimming, the press wanted to sort of “westernize” your name. They started to refer to you as Sara Channa. What was that all about?

SC: But I proved my critics wrong, and they started calling me by my full name. They didn’t anticipate that Beretanians would rally behind a swimmer of Indian descent. Immigrants make up a large part of this country, and that’s not going to change. Look at Lo Jiang Li in archery, born and raised in Beijing. These Olympics for us wouldn’t be the same without the contributions of immigrants.

AB: Do you think you have opened up the door to swimmers of Indian descent in Beretania?

SC: I certainly hope so. But like I said, I am Beretanian first, and of Indian descent second. Anyone can accomplish what I have accomplished, it takes a lot of heart, a lot of will, and a big dream, but it can be done. It doesn’t matter what your nationality or ethnic background is. Fighting prejudice makes you stronger in the long run.

AB: So your main competition in your best event, the 100m Freestyle, is Natália Franco of Cafundéu, Jennifer Conlin and Lauren Biron of Newmanistan, Carrie Stefansson and Julie Holmes of Secristan, Raniya Dalahogatu Hempara of Baranxtu, and of course, Lorette Shufflebarger of Unified Beretania. What do you think your chances are?

SC: I would be happy, I would be content just to win bronze against those names you mentioned. I’m elated just to be going to the Olympics and representing my country. And there’s room to share the spotlight with Lorette. She’s done an incredible job to make the Olympic swim team. This is her best event as well, so if she happens to medal, and I don’t, I won’t hold it against her. The competition is tough to beat, but you know what? This is the Olympics and the level of skill needed to medal is very high. You have to put up your best performance and believe a little in your heart.

AB: You’re also competing in the 400m Freestyle, and in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay and 4x200m Freestlye Relay, as well as the 100m Breaststroke. Are you pinning all your hopes in the 100m Freestyle, or do you think you have a chance in some of the other events?

SC: I am hoping to do well in the all my events, but to be honest, I think my best shot at a medal is in the 100m Freestyle. I’m still going to try my best in everything else.

AB: Now, our friends the Fujisawan Territories have Jozenna Nai. She’s a brilliant swimmer. Your thoughts?

SC: Yes, she is. I’ll be competing against her in the 400m Freestyle, and in the 100m Breaststroke. She’s a tremendous swimmer, and I admire her talent. We both share the distinction of being the flag bearers in the opening ceremony for our nations, and I’m sure she is just as thrilled to represent her country as I am.

AB: I’m going to give you the final word. Tell the world what’s on your mind.

SC: I want to thank my parents for their support through the years. It’s what has gotten me where I am today. I want to thank my coaches from the Unified Beretania National Swim Team for believing in me. I want to thank my country for giving me a chance. Friends, family, fans...thank you all for the inspiration and encouragement. Thanks to Lorette Shufflebarger, she’s a great friend, whose friendly competition often gives me the incentive to go the extra distance. I want to say to all the swimmers at the Olympics, good luck!