Broadmoor Skating Club members will face famous competition for Olympic spots

The road to the 2010 Olympics is difficult for Broadmoor Skating Club members Jeremy Abbott and Brandon Mroz.
It's a lot harder for their teammate, Rachael Flatt.

Sasha Cohen, the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, announced plans to return to competitive figure skating last week, and speculation remains that Michelle Kwan, a two-time Olympic medalist, will make a comeback.

Two spots are available for the American women in Vancouver - the result of Flatt and Alissa Czisny not combining for a high enough placement at the world championships in March. Which skaters fill those spots will be determined at the U.S. Olympic trials in January in Spokane, Wash.

Cohen is the biggest threat to Flatt. Other contenders include Caroline Zhang, the third-place finisher behind Czisny and Flatt at the national championships, and Kimmie Meissner, the 2006 world champion who missed nationals because of an injured hip.

The Americans have three men's spots for Vancouver. Evan Lysacek is a lock after winning the world title, and Johnny Weir, a fifth-place finisher at the 2006 Olympics, will challenge Abbott and Mroz, the gold and silver medalists at nationals.

U.S. Figure Skating hasn't designated Cohen a national team member. Flatt, Abbott, Mroz and Broadmoor pair Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker are on Team A, while Team B features Broadmoor members Alexe Gilles and Ryan Bradley.

Shooters struggle overseas
Colorado-Colorado Springs graduate Jeff Holguin finished sixth this month in the double trap portion of the Shotgun World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. Olympic Training Center resident Jacob Turner placed eighth in trap.

Triathletes touch podium
OTC resident Andy Potts won the men's elite division of the St. Anthony's Triathlon last month in St. Petersburg, Fla. Also representing the OTC, Sara McLarty took third, Jillian Petersen was fourth and Jasmine Oeinck was fifth in women's elite.

Judo player claims gold
OTC judo player Myles Porter won the International German Championships for the Blind and Visually Impaired this month in Schmalkdalden. He defeated German Markus Upmann in his final match.

Local events
Trials for the U.S. women's basketball under-19 world championship team and World University Games squad are Thursday through Sunday at the OTC. ... A USA Taekwondo national qualifier is Saturday and Sunday at the OTC. ... USA Roller Sports tryouts for junior select teams are Saturday and Sunday at the 7-Eleven Velodrome.