CLEVELAND — The results flashed and Jeremy Abbott jumped to his feet, holding up both index fingers.

No doubt about it, Abbott's No. 1.

Abbott won his first title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Sunday, ending the five-year stranglehold that Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir have had on the top spot. It's the second major title in as many months for Abbott, who won the Grand Prix final in December.

Abbott finished with 241.89 points, more than 13 points ahead of training mate Brandon Mroz. Lysacek, winner of the last two U.S. titles, dropped to third after a surprisingly conservative and faulty program. An even bigger disappointment was Johnny Weir, who was fifth after two dismal performances and could miss worlds for the first time since 2003.

"I completely take primary ownership of my illness and the fact I wasn't prepared," said Weir, whose preparation was compromised by a severe case of the flu over the holidays. "But at the same time, I can't push myself and expect something that I know is impossible."

For Abbott, anything seems possible these days.

The U.S. junior champion in 2005, Abbott's talent was never in question. But he was often overlooked because of his inconsistency. That and the fact that everybody took a back seat to Lysacek and Weir, who have not only dominated nationals, they've been perennial medal contenders on the international stage.

But Abbott turned these nationals into his personal party. With just about everybody complaining that the new judging system has stripped skating of all of its beauty and artistry, Abbott showed that it can still be done.

And done well.

His program didn't have the most difficult jumps — skating last, he didn't need to do the quad and he didn't take the risk — but just as Alissa Czisny showed in winning the women's title, there's more to skating than jumps. There is heart and soul and emotions, and Abbott displayed all three.

His face was wonderfully expressive, displaying every inch of the passion, anxiety and excitement of the music. Even if you didn't recognize his music — "Eight Seasons" — you were swept up in the program. His footwork was spectacular, moving as lightly across the ice as a pianist's fingers dance across the keyboard.