Bobek, 16, Will Skate in Harding’s Place

The U.S. Figure Skating Assn. turned to its second alternate, Nicole Bobek, 16, of Colorado Springs, Colo., when national champion Tonya Harding withdrew Wednesday from the World Championships scheduled to begin Sunday in Chiba, Japan.

The USFSA earlier had called upon first alternate Michelle Kwan, 13, of Torrance, after Nancy Kerrigan announced her retirement from competition.

Ferguson said the USFSA will decide later whether to hold a June 27 hearing that could result in Harding’s forfeiture of her 1994 national tile.