The 1971 United States Figure Skating Championships were held in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...

 from January 27–31. The compulsory figure competitions were held at Dann Memorial Rink, while the free skating

Free skating

The free skating competition of figure skating, sometimes called the "free skate" or "long program", is usually the second of two phases in major figure skating competitions in single skating and pair skating. It is the longer of the two programs, the other one being the Short Program...

 events were held at the Memorial Auditorium.

In the pair skating competition, defending champions JoJo Starbuck

JoJo Starbuck

JoJo Starbuck is an American figure skater. With partner Kenneth Shelley, she is a three-time United States pair skating champion and two-time Olympian ....

 and Kenneth Shelley

Kenneth Shelley

Kenneth Shelley is an American figure skater who competed in both singles and pairs. As a single skater, he won the 1972 United States Figure Skating Championships and placed 4th at the 1972 Winter Olympics. His highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was a single skater was...

 retained their title with a unanimous decision. Their program included new elements which were considered especially daring for the time—a double twist lift and an overhead lift with three positions. The young team of Melissa

Melissa Militano

Melissa Mary Militano is an American figure skater who competed as a single skater and pair skater. As a pair skater, she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships three times, in 1973 with her brother Mark Militano and in 1974 and 1975 with Johnny Johns...

 and Mark Militano

Mark Militano

Mark William Militano is an American pair skater. With sister Melissa Militano, he is the 1973 U.S. national champion. They represented the United States at the 1972 Winter Olympics where they placed 7th....

 finished second, and third place went to Barbara Brown and Doug Berndt

Doug Berndt

Douglas Brian "Doug" Berndt was an American figure skater. He competed in pairs with partner Barbara Brown. The duo twice won the bronze medal at the U.S...

 in spite of a frightening fall.

The men's title was vacant due to the retirement of 1970 champion Tim Wood. The title was won by John Misha Petkevich

John Misha Petkevich

John Misha Petkevich is an American former figure skater. He won the 1971 United States Figure Skating Championships in men's singles and the North American Figure Skating Championship in the same year. He placed 6th at the 1968 Winter Olympics and 5th at the 1972 Winter Olympics...

, while Ken Shelley (pulling double duty by competing in singles as well as pairs) took the silver and young Gordon McKellen

Gordon McKellen

Gordon "Gordie" McKellen Jr. is a former American figure skater. He found his career path early thanks to his father, Gordon "Tuffy" McKellen of the famous 1940's ice skating duo, the . He is the 1973-1975 United States national champion. He placed tenth at the 1972 Olympics...

 placed third.

The ladies' competition featured the usual match of this era between Janet Lynn

Janet Lynn

Janet Lynn Nowicki is an American figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist.-Amateur career:Lynn began to skate almost as soon as she could walk and took part in her first exhibition performance at the age of four in a group number at Chicago Stadium...

 and Julie Lynn Holmes

Julie Lynn Holmes

Julie Lynn Holmes is a former American figure skater. She won one silver medal and one bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships and competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.She was coached initially by Nancy Rush and then by Carlo Fassi...

. Holmes had a small lead after the compulsory figures but Lynn pulled ahead in the free skating, in spite of missing an attempt at a triple toe loop

Toe loop jump

The toe loop is one of the simplest jumps in figure skating. It is usually the second jump learned after the salchow. It is a toe pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same backward outside edge. - Toe loop technique :...

. Holmes included an unusual inside double axel in her free skate.

Judy Schwomeyer

Judy Schwomeyer

Judy Schwomeyer is an American ice dancer and actress. As a figure skater, she competed with partner James Sladky. They were five time U.S. national champions. They are the 1970 World silver medalists and the 1969 & 1971-1972 World bronze medalists.With coach Ron Ludington, Schwomeyer & Sladky...

 and James Sladky

James Sladky

James Sladky is an American ice dancer. He competed with partner Judy Schwomeyer. They were five time U.S. national champions. They are the 1970 World silver medalists and the 1969 & 1971-1972 World bronze medalists....

 dominated the dance event to win their third consecutive national dance title.

In addition to Shelley, this event was notable for the number of other skaters competing successfully in multiple disciplines. As well as placing second in senior pairs, Melissa Militano

Melissa Militano

Melissa Mary Militano is an American figure skater who competed as a single skater and pair skater. As a pair skater, she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships three times, in 1973 with her brother Mark Militano and in 1974 and 1975 with Johnny Johns...

 won the junior ladies' title, landing a rare triple toe loop

Toe loop jump

The toe loop is one of the simplest jumps in figure skating. It is usually the second jump learned after the salchow. It is a toe pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same backward outside edge. - Toe loop technique :...

 as she had at the previous year's championships. Besides winning a bronze medal in ice dance with Mary Karen Campbell, Johnny Johns

Johnny Johns

Johnny Johns is an American retired competitive figure skater who currently works as a coach. As a pair skater, he competed with Melissa Militano and won the 1974 and 1975 United States Figure Skating Championships. They placed 8th at the 1974 World Figure Skating Championships and 6th in 1975....

 competed in senior pairs with another partner, and placed a very respectable 6th in the senior men's division. Sheri Thrapp competed in both senior ladies and senior pairs. Another unusual crossover was the junior pair team of Sheryl Trueman and Jack Courtney

Jack Courtney

Jack Courtney is a former American pair skater. He competed with partners Sheryl Trueman, Cozette Cady, and Emily Benenson....

 who had been World Champions in artistic roller skating

Artistic roller skating

Artistic roller skating is a sport similar to figure skating but where constestants run on roller skates instead of ice skates. Within artistic roller skating there are several disciplines:* figures...

 in 1969—as a team in pair skating, and Courtney individually in men's single skating. This was their first season of competition on the ice.

Men

Rank	Name
1	John Misha Petkevich John Misha Petkevich John Misha Petkevich is an American former figure skater. He won the 1971 United States Figure Skating Championships in men's singles and the North American Figure Skating Championship in the same year. He placed 6th at the 1968 Winter Olympics and 5th at the 1972 Winter Olympics...
2	Kenneth Shelley Kenneth Shelley Kenneth Shelley is an American figure skater who competed in both singles and pairs. As a single skater, he won the 1972 United States Figure Skating Championships and placed 4th at the 1972 Winter Olympics. His highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was a single skater was...
3	Gordon McKellen Gordon McKellen Gordon "Gordie" McKellen Jr. is a former American figure skater. He found his career path early thanks to his father, Gordon "Tuffy" McKellen of the famous 1940's ice skating duo, the . He is the 1973-1975 United States national champion. He placed tenth at the 1972 Olympics...
4	James Demogines
5	Roger Bradshaw
6	Johnny Johns Johnny Johns Johnny Johns is an American retired competitive figure skater who currently works as a coach. As a pair skater, he competed with Melissa Militano and won the 1974 and 1975 United States Figure Skating Championships. They placed 8th at the 1974 World Figure Skating Championships and 6th in 1975....
7	Jeffrey Hall
8	Mark Rehfield
9	Dean Hiltzik
10	Charles Tickner Charles Tickner Charles Tickner is an American figure skater who won the gold medal at the 1978 World Figure Skating Championships, skating to music from Georges Bizet's Carmen and Jules Massenet's Le Cid for his long program. He also won the bronze medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics and the 1980 World...
11	Gilbert Sosa
12	David Baltin

Ladies

Rank	Name
1	Janet Lynn Janet Lynn Janet Lynn Nowicki is an American figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist.-Amateur career:Lynn began to skate almost as soon as she could walk and took part in her first exhibition performance at the age of four in a group number at Chicago Stadium...
2	Julie Lynn Holmes Julie Lynn Holmes Julie Lynn Holmes is a former American figure skater. She won one silver medal and one bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships and competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.She was coached initially by Nancy Rush and then by Carlo Fassi...
3	Suna Murray Suna Murray Suna Murray is an American figure skater. She won the bronze medal at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships twice and competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics....
4	Dawn Glab
5	Dorothy Hamill Dorothy Hamill Dorothy Stuart Hamill is an American figure skater. She is the 1976 Olympic champion in Ladies' Singles and 1976 World Champion.-Early life:...
6	Joanne Darakjy
7	Cindy Watson
8	Sheri Thrapp
9	Juli McKinstry
10	Diane Goldstein
11	Julia Johnson
12	Maud-Frances Dubos

Pairs

Rank	Name
1	JoJo Starbuck JoJo Starbuck JoJo Starbuck is an American figure skater. With partner Kenneth Shelley, she is a three-time United States pair skating champion and two-time Olympian ....  / Kenneth Shelley Kenneth Shelley Kenneth Shelley is an American figure skater who competed in both singles and pairs. As a single skater, he won the 1972 United States Figure Skating Championships and placed 4th at the 1972 Winter Olympics. His highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was a single skater was...
2	Melissa Militano Melissa Militano Melissa Mary Militano is an American figure skater who competed as a single skater and pair skater. As a pair skater, she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships three times, in 1973 with her brother Mark Militano and in 1974 and 1975 with Johnny Johns...  / Mark Militano Mark Militano Mark William Militano is an American pair skater. With sister Melissa Militano, he is the 1973 U.S. national champion. They represented the United States at the 1972 Winter Olympics where they placed 7th....
3	Barbara Brown / Doug Berndt Doug Berndt Douglas Brian "Doug" Berndt was an American figure skater. He competed in pairs with partner Barbara Brown. The duo twice won the bronze medal at the U.S...
4	Sheri Thrapp / Larry Dusich
5	Kathy Normile / Gregory Taylor
6	Cathy Mishkin / Donald Bonacci
7	Julianne Johnson / Kent Johnson
8	Laura Johnson / Johnny Johns Johnny Johns Johnny Johns is an American retired competitive figure skater who currently works as a coach. As a pair skater, he competed with Melissa Militano and won the 1974 and 1975 United States Figure Skating Championships. They placed 8th at the 1974 World Figure Skating Championships and 6th in 1975....
9	Sherry Vangieson / Dennis Vangieson
10	Ann Pasaric / Dan Pasaric

Ice Dancing (Gold Dance)

Rank	Name
1	Judy Schwomeyer Judy Schwomeyer Judy Schwomeyer is an American ice dancer and actress. As a figure skater, she competed with partner James Sladky. They were five time U.S. national champions. They are the 1970 World silver medalists and the 1969 & 1971-1972 World bronze medalists.With coach Ron Ludington, Schwomeyer & Sladky...  / James Sladky James Sladky James Sladky is an American ice dancer. He competed with partner Judy Schwomeyer. They were five time U.S. national champions. They are the 1970 World silver medalists and the 1969 & 1971-1972 World bronze medalists....
2	Anne Millier Anne Millier Anne Millier is an American ice dancer. She competed with her brother Harvey Millier.-Results:-References:* USFSA media guide, 1998/99 edition...  / Harvey Millier Harvey Millier Harvey "Skip" Millier is a former American ice dancer. He competed with his sister, Anne Millier.-Results:-References:...
3	Mary Karen Campbell / Johnny Johns Johnny Johns Johnny Johns is an American retired competitive figure skater who currently works as a coach. As a pair skater, he competed with Melissa Militano and won the 1974 and 1975 United States Figure Skating Championships. They placed 8th at the 1974 World Figure Skating Championships and 6th in 1975....
4	Debbie Ganson / Brad Hislop
5	Jane Pankey / Richard Horne
6	Gretchen Stuart / Nicholas Volanski
7	Debbie Gerken / Peter Bilous
8	Victoria Pedu / Roger Bennett

Men

Rank	Name
1	David Santee David Santee David Santee was an American figure skater. He is the 1981 World silver medalist and an eight-time U.S. National medalist. He also competed at the Winter Olympics twice. His younger brother Jimmy Santee was also an elite-level skater....
2	Mahlon Bradley
3	Scott Cramer Scott Cramer -Results:-References:...
4	William Schneider
5	Nathan Alden
6	Perry Hutchings
7	Stephen Savino
8	Ted Engelking
9	Roger Glenn
10	Joel Goodrich
11	Alex Rubio

Ladies

Rank	Name
1	Melissa Militano Melissa Militano Melissa Mary Militano is an American figure skater who competed as a single skater and pair skater. As a pair skater, she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships three times, in 1973 with her brother Mark Militano and in 1974 and 1975 with Johnny Johns...
2	Mary Marley
3	Patricia Shelley
4	Donna Albert
5	Althea Samson
6	Elizabeth Freeman
7	Kath Malmberg Kath Malmberg Kath Malmberg is a former American figure skater. She was the 1974-1975 U.S. bronze medalist.-Results:-References:*...
8	Paula Larson
9	Donna Arquilla
10	Adelie Boucher

Pairs

Rank	Name
1	Cynthia Van Valkenburg / James Hulick
2	Gale Fuhrman / Joel Fuhrman
3	Michelle McCladdie / Richard Ewell
4	Becky Hale / Jeff Hale
5	Kristin Gilbert / James Huffer
6	Georgia Truffini / Bill McPike
7	Nancy Glenn / Roger Glenn
8	Sheryl Trueman / Jack Courtney
9	Cynthia Conner / Warren Keahey

Ice Dancing (Silver Dance)

Rank	Name
1	Cathleen Casey / Francis Cassella
2	Myra Chrien / David Chrien
3	Beatrice Sexton / James Thorn
4	Jane Hickey / Robert Young
5*	Laurie Martin / Fred Martin
6*	Sarah Hill / Roger Fortin
7*	Dorothy Barker / Herbert Swain
8*	Karen Warloe / Richard Kolodziej
9*	Suzanne Metzel / Ronald Radke

* Eliminated before Final Round

Men

Rank	Name
1	Terry Kubicka Terry Kubicka Terry Kubicka is an American retired figure skater. He is the 1976 U.S. national champion. He competed at the 1976 Winter Olympics, where he became the first and only skater to perform a legal backflip; it was banned after the competition. He was the first American to land the triple lutz, at the...
2	John Carlow
3	Mark Henry
4	Robert Steiner
5	David Kirby
6	Sven Krevald
7	Robert Inguanti
8	Timothy Zink
9	Tom Hilfman

Ladies

Rank	Name
1	Laurie Brandel
2	Barbara Salomon
3	Patty Gyllenswan
4	Marcy Sulenes
5	Diane Dennison
6	Betsy Hobson
7	Jacqueline Whitney
8	Ruth Cohen
9	Katie Tamminga