SCIMECA AND KNIERIM TO REPRESENT TEAM USA AT 2013 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Denney and Coughlin to Sit Out Remainder of Season

U.S. Figure Skating announced today that Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim will represent Team USA at the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships March 10-17, 2013, in London, Ontario, Canada.

Scimeca and Knierim, the 2013 U.S. silver medalists, were the first alternates for a spot on the World Team. They withdrew from the 2013 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships because Scimeca was experiencing right foot pain. Upon her return to Colorado Springs, where the team is based, Scimeca was evaluated and cleared to continue training.

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, the 2012 U.S. pairs champions, were named to the World Team at the 2013 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships in late January. Coughlin underwent successful surgery in December to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. They have not competed since winning the bronze medal at 2012 Rostelecom Cup in November. The team submitted a petition to U.S. Figure Skating to be considered for the World Team despite not competing at the U.S. Championships, the final qualifier for the event.

"In staying true to our goals of representing the United States at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Caydee and I have decided to take this opportunity to get a jump start on our 2013-14 campaign," Coughlin said. "Recovery has gone better than we could have imagined and we are grateful to our families and coaches, Dr. Philippon and the medical team at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. Their tireless work alongside U.S. Figure Skating has made it possible for us to approach the upcoming season with a clean slate."

Felicia Zhang and Nate Bartholomay, the 2013 U.S. bronze medalists, are the first alternates to the World Team. Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier, who placed fifth at the U.S. Championships and will compete at the 2013 World Junior Championships, are second alternates to the World Team.

Team USA will also be represented by 2013 U.S. pairs champions Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir in London. They won bronze at Four Continents and are set to make their World Championships debut. All four U.S. champions, including Ashley Wagner (ladies), Max Aaron (men's) and Meryl Davis and Charlie White (ice dance) will also compete.