All Packed And Waiting

When the women's points were totaled, Hartrich had beat out Conroy for the senior crown and that evened them up: a national and a North American title apiece. Conroy, who has retired after each of the past two skating seasons, was asked if this was it again. "Absolutely. I'm retired," she said.

Still, one could not help but notice that Conroy was sharpening her skates when she said it. Pack-style skaters never retire, really. What if someone asked them if they'd like to compete in the Olympics like those other skaters—you know, the ones who never experience the thrill of body contact?