Michael Weiss (figure skater)

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Michael Weiss (figure skater) bigraphy, stories - Figure skater

Michael Weiss (figure skater) : biography

August 2, 1976 –

Michael Weiss (born August 2, 1976) is an American former competitive and currently professional figure skater. He is a three-time national champion (1999, 2000, 2003) a two-time World bronze medalist (1999, 2000), and two time Olympic team member.

Career

Weiss began skating at the age of nine. He competed 19 consecutive times at the U.S. Championships. At the 1997 U.S. Championships, he attempted to become the first American to land the quad toe loop. It was initially believed to have been successful but three hours after the competition, U.S. Figure Skating ruled the jump had been two-footed and did not ratify it.

He was the first American to land a quadruple toe loop in competition and has been coached by Don Laws and Audrey Weisiger.

Weiss is the only skater to perform the Tornado, a backflip with a full twist, which he created. It is not allowed in competition, but it is a crowd favorite in exhibitions.

Weiss turned professional in 2006. He toured with Stars On Ice and has competed in Ice Wars.

Michael Weiss Foundation

While still an eligible skater, Weiss started the Michael Weiss Foundation, which gives scholarships to up-and-coming figure skaters. Skaters who have received scholarships include Mirai Nagasu, Madison and Keiffer Hubbell, Daisuke Murakami, and Christine Zukowski.

Competitive highlights

International
Event 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06
Olympics 7th 7th
Worlds 7th 6th 3rd 3rd 6th 5th 6th
Four Continents 3rd 9th
Grand Prix Final 4th 3rd
Cup of Russia 3rd 4th 6th 4th
Nations / Bofrost 10th 5th 8th 4th
Lalique / Bompard 3rd 2nd 5th 1st 3rd 6th
NHK Trophy 4th
Skate America 2nd 2nd 4th 4th 5th 1st 3rd
Skate Canada 6th
Goodwill Games 6th 4th 2nd
Nebelhorn Trophy 2nd 1st
St. Gervais 2nd
Universiade 1st
International: Junior
Junior Worlds 2nd 1st
National
U.S. Championships 1st J. 8th 6th 5th 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 4th 3rd 1st 2nd 5th 4th
U.S. Olympic Fest. 6th
J. = Junior level
Event 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92
U.S. Championships 6th N. 2nd N. 5th N. 3rd N. 5th J.
U.S. Championships (figures) 1st 2nd
Levels: N. = Novice; J. = Junior

Personal life

Michael Weiss was born in Washington, DC and comes from an athletic family. Weiss’s father, Greg, was a gymnast on the 1964 Olympic team. Weiss’s mother, Margie, was also a gymnast and national champion. His sister Geremi was a figure skater and junior national silver medalist; his other sister, Genna, was junior world diving champion.

Weiss graduated from Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School in Fairfax, VA. Weiss also holds an associate’s degree in business marketing from Prince George’s Community College. He was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Weiss and his wife Lisa have two children: Annie-Mae and Christopher.