The 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships are scheduled for January 23-30 at the International Civil Rights Center in North Carolina. The annual event will start with the novice/junior competitions, followed by the  men's and women's championships. The U.S. nationals are widely acknowledged as America's premier figure skating event. Notable U.S. champions include Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan, and Kristi Yamaguchi. This article previews the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and offers predictions & schedule information.

1) U.S. Figure Skating Championships 2011: Men's Competition (Jan. 28 & 30)

With both Olympic champion Evan Lysacek and former U.S. titlist Johnny Weir choosing to skip this year's national championship, the men's competition is reduced to a two-man title race between defending champion Jeremy Abbott and Adam Rippon. Both skaters enjoyed a fine grand prix season, strongly contending at several events. Each will hope to start the new year right, with a victory at the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Additionally, this event also serves as the last opportunity for American skaters to earn one of three available spots for worlds.

Colorado-native Jeremy Abbott is highly favored to extend his reign as U.S. national champion for at least one more year. Despite having world-class talents, Abbott has struggled to maintain consistency. When the defending champion is on, he is a huge threat to win any tournament he enters. But when he is not, he sometimes would collapse under pressure. Case in point, Jeremy turned in the performance of his life to win the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championship (defeating eventual Olympic champion Evan Lysacek) only to place a shocking 9th at the Olympics. Nonetheless, Abbott should still prevail (baring another shocking result) over a weak men's field in a non-Olympic year.

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