“You set your sights on that, and I know what I need to accomplish,” she said Friday night after performing with her peers. “So it is exciting to come back to skate with a different perspective.

“I do miss the competition, but I’ve changed in a sense,” she said. “It’s not, ‘Sure, any competition, give it to me, I’ll do it.’ My sights are on the Olympics and what I need to do to get everything right to be there.”

Cohen could be back as soon as October for Skate America, also in Reading.

With the entire U.S. contingent from Japan on the ice Friday night, it was a celebration of American skating — and a chance to look forward to some time off after a long two seasons that began with preparation for the Turin Olympics.

The showcase took on a bizarre twist when U.S. champion Evan Lysacek had to borrow a pair of pants from rival Johnny Weir. A while later, the zipper on Weir’s costume broke and he had to have it sewn.

“I forgot my pants for this program,” Lysacek said. “They’re Johnny’s pants, so they’re a little tight and short.”

Why did Lysacek forget the crucial part of his costume?

“I’m tired.”

After enjoying the upcoming time off, what’s next? For Lysacek, that’s an easy question.

“I learned a lot about competitive nature at nationals and a lot about myself,” he said. “I want to be ready for the 2010 season to capture a gold medal at the Olympics.”

America’s future was also on display at Reading, and the names to remember are Caroline Zhang, Mirai Nagasu and Ashley Wagner, who went 1-2-3 at the 2007 world juniors. Wagner is 15, the other two a mere 13, and all were mesmerizing Friday night.

“Those junior and novice skaters know when the next Olympics is and this year they really did shine,” U.S. Figure Skating executive director David Raith said. “They all came to the forefront. When you look at the timing when they are age-eligible for senior events in 2009, then it all comes together for the Olympics.”

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