Knierim, Frazier earn pairs gold

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A long time coming getting back to the top of the podium, Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier held up their shiny medals, smiled and waved once more to an audience left captivated by their sensational skating.

It sure beat watching like last January when Frazier contracted covid-19 and they had to withdraw from the event in Nashville, Tenn. Frazier watched the event quarantined in his hotel room, while a disappointed Knierim closed herself off and stuck close to family.

The dynamic twosome have another national pairs gold at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with a spectacular free skate Saturday night that scored them an overall season-best 227.97.

“It means the world for me and I think I can speak for Alexa, too, especially after missing last year to return, and to return to the top of the podium, it’s a great achievement,” Frazier said. “But more importantly for us, we’ve been reflecting a lot throughout the season, our personal journeys and our partnership. So coming here, just so many emotions in the U.S. championships every time you come and this was a week filled with emotions, and that was all heart tonight.”

The reigning world champions were forced to pull out the night before last year’s competition when Frazier tested positive, denying them a chance to defend their 2021 title from their first season together.

Skating second-to-last and ahead of eventual silver medalists Emily Chan and Spencer Howe, Knierim and Frazier performed a breathtaking routine to Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times” for a 146.01 to win by more than 30 points.

When they were done, fans jumped to their feet in a rousing ovation.

Knierim and Frazier held a commanding lead of more than 15 points over Chan and Howe — 81.96 to 66.86 — after a personal-best short program Thursday heading into Saturday’s free skate.

It’s the fifth pairs gold for Knierim, who won three with her husband.