Paul Wylie - 1989 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Men's Free Skate

Baltimore, Maryland, USA - 1989 United States Figure Skating Championships, Men's Free Skate - Paul Wylie skated a strong program, earning his first 6.0 for Presentation. He would place 2nd in the Free Skate, but that would only be enough to move him up to 3rd Place overall, just missed making the World Team.

[@3Axel1996]

It was a complicated rule back then for earning berths to Worlds and Olympics. To earn 3 berths, a country had to have a skater place in the Top 3 (or Top 5 in Pairs, since there weren't that many competitors in this discipline). However, if the skater who is the one who placed in the Top 3 (or Top 5) decides to retire from amateur competition (in this case, Brian Boitano who won Gold at the 88 Worlds), then that spot would automatically be forfeited, leaving only 2 berths available.

[@EEDiazL]

Was it me, or did Paul Wylie do two 3Toes without any in combination?

[@sbe79]

Ahhh... back in those days, you could get away with a bit more. The first Triple Toe Loop was preceded by a series of footwork, which counted as a combination. From the mid-80s into the mid-90s, you'd see a lot of skaters get around doing real combinations in the long by either footwork entering into a jump or using an Ina Bauer as a lead-in. I've seen Zayak and Sato use the Ina Bauer a *lot*. I haven't noticed it anywhere since the 94 Olympics, so I'm assuming the rules were adjusted after that.

[@user-vn7sj5ig8w]

He could of won gold if his technical component was there. Great skating!