Figure skating-Cohen targets Vancouver Olympics

LOS ANGELES, May 8 (Reuters) - Olympic silver medallist Sasha Cohen confirmed her comeback to competitive figure skating on Friday, saying she will try to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

Cohen, who won silver at the 2006 Turin Games and was fourth at Salt Lake in 2002, has not skated competitively for three years but insists she has remained in shape by performing in skating shows.

The 24-year-old will battle a group rising teenage talents like 16-year-old Rachel Flatt at the U.S. nationals next January for one of just two spots on the Olympic squad.

"I realised how much I had missed competitive figure skating and felt I had one more Olympics in me," Cohen said during a conference call to announce her return.

"The challenge, being on an Olympic platform, competing for the whole world and showing them what you have trained your whole life for is magical.

"I still feel I have a lot left in me I can improve upon and be an even better skater than I was the last two Games.

"I felt very burnt out after 2006. I took a break and realised how special skating is for me.

"How it defined me and gave me a sense of purpose and how I love to perform for people.

"Coming back this year I feel very fresh. It feels like my first Olympics, my first nationals and I'm so excited to be back.