“I have every intention of competing in future competitions,” Cohen said. “My major goals are the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles and the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.  I love the thrill that competition brings, and I’m not ready to give that up. But I’m the type of person who is all or nothing. When I train and compete, it’s my life. I can’t be there just to be there. These past few months, I’ve really enjoyed skating simply for the love of it.”

Cohen had a stellar season in 2005-2006, medaling in every event at which she competed. She won her first U.S. title in St. Louis at the 2006 U.S. Championships, qualifying her for her second Olympic Winter Games. In Torino, she finished first in the short program and second in the free skate, earning her the silver medal. At the World Championships in Calgary she finished third, marking her third medal in as many years on the World stage.

“These past few years have been incredibly intense and demanding, so I need a little downtime from competing,” Cohen said. “I have competed in two Olympics, and there’s nothing as thrilling as that, so I know I want to be in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics.”

The U.S. Championships, held annually since 1914, is the nation’s most prestigious figure skating event. Over the course of a week the event crowns 12 national champions in ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing on the senior, junior and novice levels.

"We will miss Sasha at the U.S. Championships this year, but we respect her decision to take a break from competition,” U.S. Figure Skating Executive Director David Raith said. “When she returns, she will be a major part of U.S. Figure Skating’s push for medals and success heading toward the 2010 Olympics. In the meantime, we look forward to watching and developing the deep field of U.S. ladies skaters at this year’s U.S. Championships and beyond.”