David Mitchell (figure skater)

David Mitchell (born April 23, 1982) is an American retired ice dancer. He competed for most of his career with partner Loren Galler-Rabinowitz. Together they are the 2004 U.S. bronze medalists.

David Mitchell
Born (1982-04-23) April 23, 1982
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Height1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)
Figure skating career
CountryUnited States
Skating clubSC Boston
Retired2006

Career

Mitchell began skating at the age of eight and took up ice dancing at ten.[1] He teamed up with Galler-Rabinowitz before the 1999 season, finishing fifth on the novice level at their first-time competition at the United States Figure Skating Championships. They went on to win the novice title in 2000 and the junior title in 2002. That, combined with their pewter medal in 2003 at the senior level, made them the first US figure skaters to medal at the Novice, Junior, and Senior levels at Nationals in a four-year span. The pair finished fourth in the 2003 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

Galler-Rabinowitz and Mitchell won bronze at the 2004 U.S. Championships. They missed the following year's national championship due to surgery to repair torn cartilage in Mitchell's shoulder.[2] Their bronze medal finish was noteworthy in that both teams who placed above them were at the time ineligible for the Olympics.[3] Had the Olympics been held that year, Mitchell and Galler-Rabinowitz would have been the highest ranking US ice dancers sent.[4]

The pair made news in late 2005 when Mitchell's mother campaigned against a bill that would make ice dancers Tanith Belbin and Maxim Zavozin U.S. citizens in time for the 2006 Winter Olympics.[5] Despite her letter urging Senator Hillary Clinton to vote against it, the bill passed.[6] The effort was moot, however: Galler-Rabinowitz and Mitchell only finished ninth at the 2006 U.S. Championships, which would not have scored the duo an Olympic berth even if the Belbin and Zavozin teams had been ineligible.

Mitchell retired after the 2005/2006 competitive season.

Personal life

Mitchell graduated from Tufts University in 2004 where he studied Political Science & Government and was a brother at Delta Tau Delta. He is currently attending Law School at the University of Florida.

Competitive highlights

(with Galler-Rabinowitz)

Event 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06
Four Continents Championships8th
World Junior Championships12th4th
U.S. Championships5th N.1st N.5th J.1st J.4th3rd9th
Cup of Russia7th
Skate Canada9th9th
Skate America9th
Bofrost Cup6th
NHK Trophy7th
Nebelhorn Trophy4th
Junior Grand Prix, China3rd
Junior Grand Prix, USA3rd
Junior Grand Prix, Bulgaria8th
Junior Grand Prix, Norway9th
Junior Grand Prix, Czech Republic8th
N. = Novice level; J. = Junior level

Programs

(with Galler-Rabinowitz)

Season Original dance Free dance Exhibition
2005–2006
2003–2004
  • Bajafondo Tango Club
2002–2003
2001–2002
  • Seduction
    by Oscar Lopez

References
  1. Mittan, Barry (March 8, 2002). "Galler-Rabinowitz and Mitchell skate well at first Junior Worlds". Golden Skate. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  2. Mittan, Barry (August 30, 2005). "Adversity Strengthens Resolve for American Dancers". Skate Today.
  3. Mittan, Barry (April 1, 2004). "Dancers Excel in Multiple Endeavors". GoldenSkate. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  4. Rosewater, Amy (July 26, 2004). "Putting Their Legs to the Test — Galler-Rabinowitz and Mitchell Now Focusing Solely on Skating". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  5. "Mitchell's letter to lawmakers". ESPN. December 5, 2005. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  6. "Belbin faces another road block in quest for citizenship". ESPN. December 5, 2005. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
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