Michael Weiss (figure skater) : biography
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 | ||||||||||||||
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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 |
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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.