Three newcomers headed to Turin

The United States will send Johnny Weir, Evan Lysack and Matt Savoie to the Olympics.
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Welcome to Turin, Olympic strangers.
For the first time since 1976, the United States will send three newcomers to figure skating's biggest event: Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek and Matt Savoie. After winning his third straight U.S. Figure Skating Championship men's title, the 21-year-old Weir took notice.
"It is odd to think back to the last Olympics and think it was Tim [Goebel] and Michael [Weiss] and Todd [Eldredge], and now none of them are here," Weir said Saturday. "It's a little weird and two of them are still skating."
Wins short program
Those two, Weiss and Goebel, faltered in the free skate, where Weir wasn't a world-beater, either, finishing third. But he won the short program and was good enough to join long program winner Lysacek, 20, and the surprising Savoie, 25, on the Olympic squad.
"Having three first-time Olympians is a fresh slate and a new start for U.S. figure skating," Weir added. "Each of us signify something different than our last Olympics team. We're all very, very different people and skaters and characters. I think it's going to be exciting, that there are so many different facets to all of us."
Especially Weir, who is eccentric even for this sport. He will say almost anything, wear almost anything and attempt almost anything on the ice.
But he wasn't as majestic as usual Saturday.
"Being the third-time national champion is really an awesome feat," Weir said. "I wasn't quite sure how I would achieve that after the year I've had so far.
"The program today definitely wasn't up to par with my previous two wins. A lot I could have done better."
Ticket to Turin
Lysacek, the reigning world bronze medalist, won the free skate with 150.44 points and finished second overall at 224.47 to Weir's 225.34. They were followed by Savoie, whose clutch performance reversed a long downward career spiral.
The champion automatically gets an Olympic spot. Lysacek and Savoie were selected by an international committee from U.S. Figure Skating.
That same committee was to discuss placing Michelle Kwan on the Olympic squad after Saturday night's women's free skate. The nine-time U.S. champion dropped out of nationals with a groin injury and petitioned for a spot on the Turin team.
Three-time U.S. men's champion Weiss was fourth and walked out of the rink even as his marks were being displayed on the scoreboard.
"Well, that's it," Weiss told his coach, Don Laws.
Battled injuries
Weir, battled injuries and the need to redesign his programs this season, and his best finish was a third at Cup of Russia. His short program at nationals displayed the same flamboyance and technical skill that should make him a threat at the Olympics.
But the free skate, although pleasant to watch, lacked fizz and earned him 142.06 points, well behind Lysacek and Savoie (149.86). Weir didn't use all the ice, instead doing his elements -- jumps, footwork, spins -- in a circular manner. He wasn't penalized much for it, but it took away from the overall aura of the routine.
Lysacek, who switched long programs from "Grease" to "Carmen" this year, didn't bring much fire to his routine until the end. His elements weren't especially sharp, although he did space out his jumps well.
But the judges liked it a lot, boosting him to second overall.
"I'm so honored and the Olympics has been a lifelong dream of mine," he said. "I know I have tons of work ahead of me.'
His best
Savoie had, by far, his best skate at nationals in five years, a fluid routine marked by seven solid triple jumps and intriguing, old-school footwork that could be traced back to the days of compulsory figures. At times, it was mesmerizing.
But he fell on a triple lutz, and that probably cost him second place.
"Obviously I made a mistake and there were some unorganized parts of my program," Savoie said. "But it's the best performance I've had all season. And better than some of my practices.
"I guess it was waiting for me."
A third Olympic spot was not awaiting Weiss, the final skater of the day. His program was filled with errors, and he shook his head in acknowledgment of his falling short even before everyone else knew.
"What can you say?" Weiss said. "Fresh off the ice, so I'm still in shock a little bit, certainly disappointed."
Sad ending
Goebel won the 2002 Olympic bronze and was expected to be a dominant American. Instead, injuries, coaching changes and some downright ugly performances plagued Goebel. He skated pretty well at the 2005 nationals, but was 10th at last year's world championships, beginning another slump that ran through this event.
The Quad King even struggled with the four-revolution jump that has been his province alone among Americans. And he popped both triple-axel attempts, totally offsetting his improved presentation.
When he left the ice on the verge of tears, he didn't even acknowledge the crowd, a sad ending for the 2001 national champ.
"I don't know. I don't know what's wrong with me," he said. "I wasted four years of my life. I don't know what I'm going to do now."
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