Slim lead for Weir after short program

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, January, 2008 | by Frank Fitzpatrick INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

ST. PAUL, Minn. - There was little beyond his 1.35-point lead that separated Johnny Weir from Evan Lysacek last night during the men's short program in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

America's two best male skaters competed in the first group.

Both wore black outfits, Weir noting that he felt "nice" and "pretty" in his.

Both had nerves that jangled like a pocketful of coins, Lysacek visibly shaking beforehand as he began to defend his 2007 title.

Both needed blunt words to motivate them - Weir's coming inadvertently from an NBC announcer, Lysacek's delivered by coach Frank Carroll.

And, when they were through, both acknowledged the divine, Weir crossing himself in obvious relief, while Lysacek said that "Jesus was with me today."

That...