Alissa Czisny feels redeemed

Alissa Czisny didn't fall during her long program.

And if she didn't complete more than three credited triple jumps, and seemed to improvise throughout her free skate done to the music of Dr. Zhivago, the 21-year-old U.S. nationals champion said she will use the lessons she learned from faltering so badly in her short program.

She was 14th going into Saturday's performance and wants to improve her mental toughness during the next year of preparations for trying to qualify for the 2010 Olympics.

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Alissa Czisny performs her long program on Saturday during the world championship women's competition at Staples Center. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Here's Alissa's interview not long after her long program:

Comments

[Justina Wut]

Why didn't NBC play Czisny's long program when they showed the other long programs Saturday night? I feel cheated; I waited weeks to see that program. I figured it must have been abysmal or embarrasing, and that's why they didn't show it. Tonight I read she didn't fall, and I think didn't drop in her standings as a result of a poor long program. What a slight for NBC not to show it. Where is national pride?!