Olympic champs Davis, White to skip worlds

Colorado Springs, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Olympic ice dancing champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White are skipping the world championships.

The 2014 ISU World Figure Skating Championships will be held from March 24-30 in Saitama, Japan, and will go on without the reigning champions.

"Now that we've had some time at home to discuss our plan for the rest of the season, we've decided not to compete in the 2014 World Championships," Davis said in a statement released Monday.

"We're extremely pleased to have capped-off this Olympic cycle with our performances at the Olympic Games."

Davis and White, after helping the United States to a bronze in the new team event, became the first American pair to take gold in Olympic ice dancing.

Their win on Feb. 17 came over defending Olympic champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada. The two pairs have alternated wins in each of the last four world championships, with Davis and White taking gold in 2011 and 2013.

"We feel that our incredibly positive Olympic experience is the culmination of and perfect ending to a wonderful four-year cycle," White said. "We will leave our options open for the future and are excited to cheer on our American teammates as they compete in Japan."

Second alternates Alexandra Aldridge and Daniel Eaton will take the place of Davis and White, U.S. Figure Skating said.

First alternates Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue are unable to compete due to a torn labrum in Hubbell's left hip. She is expected to have it surgically repaired this week.