In a career-long quest for an Olympic medal, Todd Eldredge has learned to focus on the long term.
That is why Eldredge, 29, withdrew from both the Four Continents Championship free skate final Friday and the Grand Prix Final next weekend because of a sprained left ankle.
In Eldredge’s absence, Li Chengjiang became the first Chinese man to win an international event against a field with skaters from outside Asia.
Li, 21, landed two quadruple jumps in the free skate.
Although he sprained his ankle Wednesday, Eldredge won the short program Thursday. The foot had swollen so much by Friday morning that fluid was drained from it. An injection of anesthetic two hours before he warmed up for the free skate left the foot “too numb” to skate he said.
“The biggest thing right now is the world championships and being healthy for that to get three spots for the Olympics,” said Eldredge, who was to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam Saturday.
To get three Olympic places, Eldredge and reigning national champion Timothy Goebel, the U.S. men at worlds, need finishes at worlds that add up to 13 or fewer points. The world championships begin March 19
“I’m virtually earning a spot for myself,” Eldredge said. “It’s very important, because my whole idea in coming back was to be here next year [for the Olympics].”
Japan’s Takeshi Honda was second Friday, followed by U.S. skaters Michael Weiss at Matt Savoie.
