Cleveland, OH (My Sportsbook) - Five-time U.S. ice dancing champions Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto will not compete at the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships due to an injury. The duo, silver medalists at the 2006 Olympics and three-time World medalists, will miss out on the event, to be held in Cleveland from January 18-25, because of a back injury to Agosto. "It's a huge disappointment for us," said Agosto. "We had been looking forward to defending our title once again at the U.S. Championships. However, the good news is that I am making progress, and I hope to begin training again in a few weeks." Agosto and Belbin believe they will be ready for the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships, March 22-29, in Los Angeles. "Ben is making steady progress," said Belbin. "While he recuperates, I am continuing to train hard on my own, so I am certain that we'll be in top shape before March. We have requested that U.S. Figure Skating consider us for the U.S. World Team." |
