Rachael Flatt Prepares for Nationals with Sochi in Sight

Rachel Flatt has the heart of a champion despite facing her fair share of adversity. After competing at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, she went on a competitive figure skating hiatus due to a number of injuries. But a recent interview with NBC Bay Area revealed she is back to enjoying the ride as a leading lady in skating.

As you can see, Rachael is looking and feeling great on the ice as she prepares for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Boston early next month. This competition will determine whether or not she will compete in her second consecutive Winter Olympics in Sochi.

To get as far as qualifying for the U.S. Championships is no easy feat. Skaters must progress through a series of events leading up to one of nine regional competitions that take place across the nation. Only the top four finishers from each regional competition advance to compete at the U.S. Championships. From there, the top three skaters will punch their tickets to Sochi.

For Flatt, a trip to Sochi would be an impressive step in her courageous comeback. But that’s just one accomplishment in her sights. This 21-year-old athlete has quite a year ahead of her as she works toward finishing an undergraduate degree in biology for her pre-med studies at Stanford.

Riedell wishes Rachael the best of luck at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships next month – and don’t forget to tune in to the competition January 5-12 in Boston!