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Ashley Wagner
Ashley Wagner Bronze Team Figure Skating (14191566774).jpg
Wagner at the 2014 Winter Olympics
Born
Ashley Elisabeth Wagner

(1991-05-16) May 16, 1991 (age 34)
Heidelberg, Germany
Alma mater Northeastern University (BS)
Occupation
Height 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Spouse(s)
Alex Clark
(m. 2023)
Children 1
Personal information
Country represented  United States
Coach Rafael Arutyunyan
Began skating 1996
Retired 2019

Ashley Elisabeth Wagner (born May 16, 1991) is an American former figure skater. She won a silver medal at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships. She also earned a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in the team event. Ashley was the champion at the 2012 Four Continents competition. She is also a three-time U.S. national champion. After retiring from competitive skating, Wagner became a television commentator.

About Ashley Wagner

Ashley Wagner was born in Heidelberg, Germany. Her father was in the U.S. Army. Her mother was a schoolteacher. Ashley has a younger brother who also skated. Because her father was in the army, her family moved often. They lived in nine different places. These included Delaware, California, and Alaska. When she was ten, they settled in northern Virginia. Today, Ashley lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She considers Seabeck, Washington her home.

Ashley was homeschooled for a short time. She later attended West Potomac High School. She also took online college classes. In September 2023, Ashley announced her engagement to Alex Clark. In December of the same year, they welcomed their first child, Rosalie Starbird Clark.

Ashley's Skating Journey

Starting Young

Ashley Wagner began skating at age five. This was in Eagle River, Alaska. She chose skating over ballet. She said she didn't want to wear "pink shoes." Her mother noticed Ashley's talent early on. Ashley won a gold medal at her very first competition.

In 1998, Ashley watched Tara Lipinski win Olympic gold. This inspired her to dream of competing in the Olympics. She trained in different cities. These included Kansas City and Tacoma, Washington. Later, she moved to Portland, Oregon. There, she trained with Dody Teachman. In 2002, she started working with Shirley Hughes.

First Competitions

In the 2002–03 season, Ashley competed at the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships. She placed 17th at the Intermediate level. The next season, she moved up to the novice level. She won a silver medal at her regional competition. However, she did not qualify for the 2004 National Championships.

Ashley qualified for her first U.S. Championships in 2004–05. She won her regional and sectional competitions. Competing at the novice level, she finished seventh at Nationals.

Junior International Debut (2005–06)

For the 2005–06 season, Ashley moved to the junior level. She won her regional and sectional events again. At the 2006 U.S. Nationals, she finished fourth. This earned her a spot on the U.S. team. She competed at the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia. This was her first big international junior event. She landed six triple jumps and won the gold medal.

Bronze at Junior Worlds (2006–07)

In the 2006–07 season, Ashley made her Junior Grand Prix debut. She won events in France and the Netherlands. These wins qualified her for the Junior Grand Prix Final. She won a silver medal at the Final in Bulgaria.

At the 2007 U.S. Nationals, Ashley placed third. This was her first top-three finish at Nationals. She earned a spot on the World Junior Championships team. At the 2007 Junior Worlds, she won a bronze medal. This was part of an all-American podium sweep.

Senior Debut (2007–08)

Ashley moved up to the senior level in 2007–08. She made her senior international debut at 2007 Skate Canada International. She placed fifth overall. Two weeks later, she won her first senior international medal. She earned a bronze at the 2007 Trophée Éric Bompard in France.

In January 2008, Ashley competed at the 2008 U.S. Nationals. She won the bronze medal. Because other medalists were too young, Ashley was chosen for the Four Continents and World Championships. She finished eighth at Four Continents. At the 2008 World Championships, she placed 16th. In June 2008, Ashley began training with a new coach, Priscilla Hill.

Second Junior Worlds Bronze (2008–09)

Wagner 2009 NHK Trophy
Wagner displays her bronze medal at the 2009 NHK Trophy.

For the 2008–09 season, Ashley competed at two Grand Prix events. She finished fourth at both the 2008 Cup of China and the 2008 NHK Trophy. She set new personal best scores.

She won the pewter medal at the 2009 U.S. Nationals. She then won her second junior world medal. She placed third at the 2009 Junior Worlds in Bulgaria.

2009–10 Season

Ashley won a silver medal at the 2009 Rostelecom Cup. She also won a bronze medal at the 2009 NHK Trophy. These results qualified her for the Grand Prix Final. She finished fourth overall at the Final.

At the 2010 U.S. Nationals, Ashley won her second bronze medal. She was chosen for the 2010 Junior Worlds team but later withdrew.

Moving to California (2010–11)

Ashley faced health issues during this season. She had a racing heartbeat and muscle spasms. Doctors helped her find a solution through physical therapy.

She competed at the 2010 NHK Trophy, finishing fifth. At the 2010 Cup of Russia, she won a bronze medal. In June 2011, Ashley moved to California. She began training with John Nicks and Phillip Mills.

First National and Four Continents Titles (2011–12)

2012 WFSC 07d 1048 Ashley Wagner
Wagner performs her free program at the 2012 Worlds.

Ashley started the 2011–12 season with a bronze medal at 2011 Skate Canada International. She placed fourth at the 2011 NHK Trophy. At the 2012 U.S. Nationals, she won her first national title.

After her win, Ashley competed at the 2012 Four Continents Championships. She won the gold medal. Her scores were the highest for a lady skater that season. At the World Championships, she finished fourth. This secured two spots for U.S. ladies at the next Worlds.

Grand Prix Success (2012–13)

Ashley won her first Grand Prix gold medal at the 2012 Skate America. She then won her second Grand Prix title at the 2012 Trophée Éric Bompard. This qualified her for the 2012 Grand Prix Final.

At the Grand Prix Final, she won the silver medal. At the 2013 U.S. Championships, Ashley won her second national title. She was the first U.S. lady to win two titles in a row since Michelle Kwan in 2005.

Ashley placed fifth at the 2013 World Championships. This helped the U.S. team earn three spots for the next Olympics and Worlds. She also placed second at the 2013 World Team Trophy. The United States won the event. Ashley later started training with Rafael Arutyunyan.

Sochi Olympics (2013–14)

In the 2013–14 Grand Prix season, Ashley won a silver medal at 2013 Skate America. She won gold at the 2013 Trophée Éric Bompard. This qualified her for the 2013–14 Grand Prix Final. She won a bronze medal at the Final.

Ashley finished fourth at the 2014 U.S. Championships. Despite this, she was chosen for the 2014 Winter Olympics team. This was due to her strong international record. She won a team bronze medal at the Olympics. She then placed seventh at the 2014 World Figure Skating Championships.

Third National Title (2014–15)

Ashley won silver at 2014 Skate Canada International and bronze at 2014 Trophée Éric Bompard. She qualified for her third Grand Prix Final. This was the first time an American woman had done this since Michelle Kwan. At the Final, she won her third consecutive bronze medal.

At the 2015 U.S. Championships, Ashley won her third national title. She set a new U.S. record score. She was the first U.S. senior lady to win three national championships since Michelle Kwan in 1999.

Ashley placed fifth at the 2015 World Championships. At the 2015 World Team Trophy, she placed fourth. Team USA won the event.

World Medal (2015–16)

Ashley won gold at 2015 Skate Canada International. She placed fourth at the 2015 NHK Trophy. These results qualified her for the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final. She finished fourth overall at the Final. At the 2016 U.S. Championships, Ashley won the bronze medal.

2016 Worlds Figure Skating Championships Ladies Podium
Wagner (left) holds her silver medal at the 2016 World Championships podium

Ashley competed at the 2016 World Championships in Boston. She placed second, winning a silver medal. This was the first time an American woman had won a medal at Worlds in ten years. She also set a new personal best score in her free skate. Ashley finished her season by helping Team North America win gold at the 2016 KOSÉ Team Challenge Cup.

Second Skate America Title (2016–17)

Ashley worked on improving her spins. She began her Grand Prix season at 2016 Skate America. She became the first American woman since Michelle Kwan to win the Skate America title again.

At the 2016 Cup of China, she finished sixth. She did not qualify for the Grand Prix Final. However, she quickly bounced back. She won her first silver medal at the 2017 U.S. Championships. At the 2017 World Championships, she placed seventh. This helped Team USA get three spots for the 2018 Olympics. Ashley finished her season helping Team USA win bronze at the 2017 World Team Trophy.

Final Competitive Season (2017–18)

Ashley chose music from La La Land for her free skate. She later returned to her Moulin Rouge! program. She won a bronze medal at 2017 Skate Canada International.

Ashley withdrew from 2017 Skate America due to an ankle infection. She later decided to use her La La Land program again. After placing fourth at the U.S. Championships, she was named an alternate for the 2018 Winter Olympic team. She officially retired from competitive skating in August 2019.

Life After Skating

Ashley Wagner became a color commentator for NBC. She provided analysis for figure skating events. This included the 2020 European Figure Skating Championships and the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Skating Style

Ashley Wagner spins and jumps clockwise. She was known for her triple-triple jump combinations. These included the 3Lz-3T and 3F-3T. She also successfully landed a 3Lz-3Lo combination. Her special moves included a Charlotte spiral. She also had a unique bent-leg layover camel spin.

Sponsorships

Ashley Wagner had several sponsors during her career. In November 2012, Nike began sponsoring her. In December, she became a style ambassador for Pandora Jewelry. In October 2013, Ashley was named a face of CoverGirl.

Programs

2012-12 Final Grand Prix 3d 342 Ashley Wagner
Wagner performs her free skate at the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final.
2012-12 Final Grand Prix 2d 149 Ashley Wagner
Wagner performs her short program at the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final.
Wagner 2008NHK gala
Wagner performs her exhibition Fever at the 2008 NHK Trophy.
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2017–2018
  • Hip Hip Chin Chin
    by Club des Belugas
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
  • La La Land (soundtrack)
    • Audition (The Fools Who Dream)
      performed by Emma Stone
    • Someone in the Crowd
    • Epilogue
    • The End
      choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

  • Moulin Rouge!
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne, Benji Schwimmer
  • La La Land (soundtrack)
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne


  • Handclap
    by Fitz and the Tantrums
2016–2017
  • Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 3 (Redemption)
    by Muse
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
  • Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 3 (Redemption)
    by Muse
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

  • Handclap
    by Fitz and the Tantrums

2015–2016
  • Hip Hip Chin Chin
    by Club des Belugas
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

  • Hip Hip Chin Chin
    by Club des Belugas
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

  • Imagine
    performed live by Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus

  • One Last Night
    by Vaults

2014–2015
  • Rather Be
    by Clean Bandit
    choreo. by Shawn Sawyer

  • One Last Night
    by Vaults

2013–2014
  • Shine On You Crazy Diamond
    by Pink Floyd
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

  • Sweet Dreams
    by Eurythmics
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

2012–2013
  • The Red Violin
    by John Corigliano
    choreo. by Phillip Mills
  • Bacchanale
    (from Samson and Delilah)
    by Camille Saint-Saëns
    choreo. by Phillip Mills
  • Sweet Dreams
    by Eurythmics
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne



2011–2012
  • Pollock
    by Jeff Beal
    choreo. by Phillip Mills
  • Tightrope
    by Janelle Monáe

  • Your Song
    by Ellie Goulding

2010–2011

2009–2010
  • Once Upon a Time in America
    by Ennio Morricone
2008–2009
2007–2008
2006–2007
  • Steam Heat
2005–2006
  • Henry V (1989 film)
    by Patrick Doyle
  • Scent of a Woman
    by Thomas Newman, Jose Padilla

Competitive Highlights

GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

2006–07 to 2017–18

International
Event 06–07 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18
Olympics 7th
Worlds 16th 4th 5th 7th 5th 2nd 7th WD
Four Continents 8th 1st WD
GP Final 4th 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th
GP Bompard 3rd 1st 1st 3rd
GP Cup of China 4th 6th
GP NHK Trophy 4th 3rd 5th 4th 4th
GP Rostelecom 2nd 3rd
GP Skate America 1st 2nd 1st WD
GP Skate Canada 5th 3rd 2nd 1st 3rd
International: Junior
Junior Worlds 3rd 3rd WD
JGP Final 2nd
JGP France 1st
JGP Netherlands 1st
National
U.S. Champ. 3rd J 3rd 4th 3rd 6th 1st 1st 4th 1st 3rd 2nd 4th
Team events
Olympics 3rd T
4th P
World Team
Trophy
2nd T
3rd P
1st T
2nd P
1st T
4th P
3rd T
6th P
Team Challenge
Cup
1st T
3rd P
Japan Open 2nd T
1st P
2nd T
3rd P
2nd T
6th P
2nd T
5th P
3rd T
3rd P
J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew
T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

2001–02 to 2005–06

International
Event 01–02 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06
Triglav Trophy 1st J
North American Challenge Skate 5th N
National
U.S. Championships 7th N 4th J
U.S. Junior Championships 17th I
Pacific Coast Sectionals 10th N 1st N 1st J
Northwest Pacific Regionals 2nd V 2nd I 2nd N 1st N 1st J
Levels: V = Juvenile; I = Intermediate; N = Novice

Detailed Results

Small medals for short program and free skating awarded only at ISU Championships. Pewter medals for fourth-place finishes awarded only at U.S. national and regional events. At team events, medals awarded for team results only.

Senior Level

2014 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final IMG 3710
Wagner at the 2014–15 GP Final medal ceremony
2012 Grand Prix Final Ladies Seniors
Wagner at the 2012–13 GP Final medal ceremony
2011 Skate Canada Ladies podium
Wagner at the 2011 Skate Canada medal ceremony
Ladies 2009 NHK Trophy podium
Wagner at the 2009 NHK Trophy medal ceremony
2017–18 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 3–5, 2018 2018 U.S. Championships 5
65.94
3
130.25
4
196.19
November 24–26, 2017 2017 Skate America 6
64.12
WD WD
October 27–29, 2017 2017 Skate Canada International 7
61.57
4
122.37
3
183.94
2016–17 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 20–23, 2017 2017 World Team Trophy 6
70.75
6
133.26
3T/6P
204.01
March 29 – April 2, 2017 2017 World Championships 7
69.04
10
124.50
7
193.54
January 14–22, 2017 2017 U.S. Championships 3
70.94
2
140.84
2
211.78
November 18–20, 2016 2016 Cup of China 5
64.36
7
117.02
6
181.38
October 21–23, 2016 2016 Skate America 1
69.50
2
126.94
1
196.44
October 1, 2016 2016 Japan Open 3
132.12
3T
2015–16 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 22–24, 2016 2016 Team Challenge Cup 2T/2P
74.54
1T/3P
143.20
1T/3P
217.74
March 28 – April 3, 2016 2016 World Championships 4
73.16
2
142.23
2
215.39
January 16–24, 2016 2016 U.S. Championships 4
62.41
3
135.47
3
197.88
December 10–13, 2015 2015–16 Grand Prix Final 6
60.04
3
139.77
4
199.81
November 27–29, 2015 2015 NHK Trophy 3
63.71
5
115.62
4
179.33
October 30 – November 1, 2015 2015 Skate Canada International 1
70.73
2
131.79
1
202.52
October 3, 2015 2015 Japan Open 5
117.84
2T
2014–15 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 16–19, 2015 2015 World Team Trophy 4
64.55
4
126.96
1T/4P
191.51
March 23–29, 2015 2015 World Championships 11
57.81
3
127.20
5
185.01
January 18–25, 2015 2015 U.S. Championships 1
72.04
1
148.98
1
221.02
December 11–14, 2014 2014–15 Grand Prix Final 6
60.24
3
129.26
3
189.50
November 21–23, 2014 2014 Trophée Éric Bompard 3
61.35
4
116.39
3
177.74
October 31 – November 2, 2014 2014 Skate Canada International 2
63.86
2
122.14
2
186.00
October 4, 2014 2014 Japan Open 6
100.99
2T
2013–14 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 24–30, 2014 2014 World Championships 7
63.64
4
129.52
7
193.16
February 20–21, 2014 2014 Winter Olympic Games 6
65.21
7
127.99
7
193.20
February 6–9, 2014 2014 Winter Olympic Games – Team Event 4
63.10
3T
January 9–11, 2014 2014 U.S. Championships 4
64.71
5
118.03
4
182.74
December 5–8, 2013 2013–14 Grand Prix Final 3
68.14
3
119.47
3
187.61
November 15–17, 2013 2013 Trophée Éric Bompard 1
66.75
2
127.62
1
194.37
October 18–20, 2013 2013 Skate America 2
69.26
2
124.55
2
193.81
October 5, 2013 2013 Japan Open 3
119.77
2T
2012–13 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 11–14, 2013 2013 World Team Trophy 4
59.77
2
128.83
1T/2P
188.60
March 11–17, 2013 2013 World Championships 5
63.98
6
123.36
5
187.34
January 19–27, 2013 2013 U.S. Championships 1
67.57
2
121.27
1
188.84
December 6–9, 2012 2012–13 Grand Prix Final 2
66.44
4
115.49
2
181.93
November 16–18, 2012 2012 Trophée Éric Bompard 2
63.09
1
127.54
1
190.63
October 19–21, 2012 2012 Skate America 1
60.61
1
127.76
1
188.37
October 6, 2012 2012 Japan Open 1
123.57
2T
2011–12 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 19–22, 2012 2012 World Team Trophy 5
57.52
1
122.29
2T/3P
179.81
March 26 – April 1, 2012 2012 World Championships 8
56.42
3
120.35
4
176.77
February 7–12, 2012 2012 Four Continents Championships 2
64.07
1
128.34
1
192.41
January 22–29, 2012 2012 U.S. Championships 3
63.06
1
123.96
1
187.02
November 11–13, 2011 2011 NHK Trophy 5
55.88
3
109.77
4
165.65
October 27–30, 2011 2011 Skate Canada International 2
54.50
3
110.98
3
165.48
2010–11 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 22–30, 2011 2011 U.S. Championships 7
54.63
5
110.73
6
165.36
November 19–21, 2010 2010 Cup of Russia 3
56.17
3
110.85
3
167.02
October 22–24, 2010 2010 NHK Trophy 4
52.93
6
90.80
5
143.73
2009–10 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 14–24, 2010 2010 U.S. Championships 4
62.55
2
122.15
3
184.70
December 3–6, 2009 2009–10 Grand Prix Final 6
54.26
4
107.81
4
162.07
November 5–8, 2009 2009 NHK Trophy 1
56.54
3
99.45
3
155.99
October 22–25, 2009 2009 Cup of Russia 5
55.16
2
108.81
2
163.97
2008–09 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 18–25, 2009 2009 U.S. Championships 12
50.28
1
115.05
4
165.33
November 27–30, 2008 2008 NHK Trophy 2
61.52
5
99.58
4
161.10
November 5–9, 2008 2008 Cup of China 4
55.40
4
100.19
4
155.59
2007–08 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 17–23, 2008 2008 World Championships 11
51.49
15
85.91
16
137.40
February 11–17, 2008 2008 Four Continents Championships 12
47.29
5
105.17
8
152.46
January 20–27, 2008 2008 U.S. Championships 2
65.15
2
123.41
3
188.56
November 15–18, 2007 2007 Trophée Éric Bompard 5
50.48
2
108.15
3
158.63
November 1–4, 2007 2007 Skate Canada International 8
50.86
5
99.20
5
150.06

Junior Level

Ashley Wagner 2006 JGP The Hague
Wagner at the 2006 JGP Netherlands
2008–09 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
Feb. 23 – March 1, 2009 2009 World Junior Championships Junior 2
57.50
3
96.07
3
153.57
2006–07 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
Feb. 26 – March 4, 2007 2007 World Junior Championships Junior 3
51.67
3
105.48
3
157.15
January 21–28, 2007 2007 U.S. Championships Junior 4
51.20
3
94.66
3
145.86
December 7–10, 2006 2006–07 Junior Grand Prix Final Junior 3
48.65
2
93.36
2
142.01
October 5–7, 2006 2006 Junior Grand Prix, Netherlands Junior 4
44.98
1
89.00
1
133.98
August 23–26, 2006 2006 Junior Grand Prix, France Junior 1
49.52
1
85.43
1
134.95
2005–06 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
April 12–16, 2006 2006 Triglav Trophy Junior 3
38.74
1
78.36
1
117.10
January 7–15, 2006 2006 U.S. Championships Junior 2
45.85
4
86.60
4
132.45
November 15–19, 2005 2006 Pacific Coast Sectionals Junior 1
41.50
1
83.72
1
125.22
October 19–22, 2005 2006 Northwest Pacific Regionals Junior 1 1 1
2004–05 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
January 9–16, 2005 2005 U.S. Championships Novice 8 5 7
November 11–13, 2004 2005 Pacific Coast Sectionals Novice 2 1 1
October 19–23, 2004 2005 Northwest Pacific Regionals Novice 1 1 1
2003–04 season
Date Event Level QR SP FS Total
November 11–15, 2003 2004 Pacific Coast Sectionals Novice 11 10 10
October 14–18, 2003 2004 Northwest Pacific Regionals Novice 2 3 2 2
  • QR = Qualifying round

Images for kids

See Also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ashley Wagner para niños

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