Figure skating: Chen more anxious about travel than world championships

FILE PHOTO: Jan 17, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Nathan Chen performs during the Skating Spectacular event at the 2021 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

(Reuters) - A haircut, double-masking and a few prayers will all be part of Nathan Chen's preparations as the American heads to Stockholm to defend his world championship figure skating singles title with the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic hanging over the competition.

The double world champion told reporters he was looking forward to renewing his great rivalry with Japan's twice Olympic champion Hanyu Yuzuru at the March 22-28 event but was not so excited about his first international flight in over a year.