Alissa Czisny's New Short Program

I'm sitting at Java on 4th, enjoying the free wi-fi. My connection keeps going out at home and I'm supposed to be packing to move into a new home. The new house is by the ice rink, so I've really got skating on the brain. I'm trying to figure out how to balance my day job demands and organize a coaching schedule. It would be good to get back into it during an Olympic year.

I was searching figure skating on YouTube - the second largest search engine in the world in case you didn't know. I searched by newest and found Alissa Czisny debuting her new short program to Zorro music at Skate Detroit.



Her jumps looked solid - triple Lutz + double toe, triple flip, double Axel. She's one of the best spinners around now. Her spins are so fast and centered, especially the ending combo spin of camel, sit, into the "Czisny" position. I always wonder why great spinners have some jump troubles like she tends to have. Being able to hold a spin position is much more strenuous and the back scratch spin is the jumping position in the air. That should be a topic for another blog... since I'm so good at blogging. ;)

The footwork sequence didn't sing yet, it was slow and there was a stumble. Overally, I think it has the potential for a great program. I'm looking forward to seeing it on the Grand Prix schedule.

My Staples Center Memories

So the Staples Center has been in the news, here are my favs from being there for Worlds in March:

I said Hi to Scott Hamilton and he said Hi to me! Really he did, he looked me in the eye even though this photo taken by my husband looks like I'm stalking him.


Alissa Czisny skated a lovely and strong free program to Dr. Zhivago. She's one of my favs and I was glad to see her live. She had all the pressure on her to represent as the American champion, I hope this was a good learning experience for performing under pressure - you can do it Alissa, don't write her off yet.

I met Brian Boitano! I complimented him on Alissa's skating, got a photo and we parted ways. But how cool was that?

Yu-Na Kim: Her performance was amazing, she changed the temperature of the arena. I didn't take a picture, I was so caught up in the performance with the rest of the audience, Korean fans and photographers. Here she is just getting her first look at her record breaking scores.

The champions: Yu-Na, Joannie Rochette & Miki Ando. Great performances all around.

Michael Jackson on Ice

With all the Michael Jackson coverage, I keep getting his songs stuck in my head. It's bringing to mind some skating routines:

Katarina Witt - Bad 1988

I remember this one from when I was 9 and first fell in love with skating. Katarina Witt was the coolest and she had just won the Olympics. Plus, there was the whole East German thing and I was just becoming aware of the "Iron Curtain" so I thought it was really cool that this East German chick could do the moonwalk!

Bourne & Kraatz - 2002 Olympic Free Dance

They came into the Olympics the Grand Prix winners, but the podium was not to be for Canadian's Shae-Lynn Bourne & Victor Kraatz. As the Salt Lake City games became know more for the judging scandal than the performances, they probably didn't have a podium chance. The slip at the end sealed that fate. They were coached by Tatiana Tarasova at the time.... theme coming on.

Evgeni Plushenko - 2002 Olympic Short Program

Another skater from eastern Europe with a Michael Jackson thing.

Evan Lysacek - Billie Jean 2009

This is Evan's exhibition piece for the 2008-2009 season. Also choreographed by Tatiana Tarasoa.

Denver Sectionals Photos

So I'm terrible about blogging. I enjoy reading others' blogs more than writing my own. Here are some photos from Midwestern Synchro Sectionals.

No surprises, we came in last - but last here equalled a pewter medal and a trip to Nationals!

All of our practices are over, both on-ice and off. Just chillin' at the hotel waiting to do hair and makeup in a couple of hours.

We're skating in a real arena! A small arena, but a minor league hockey team plays there and an NBA development team of some sort. The temperature is comfortable along with cushy seats. There is a jumbotron in the center and a screen that loops around the seats. Oooh, then there are the locker rooms.

The locker rooms were clean and didn't smell like hockey equipment. They had regular bathrooms - that actually had doors on the stalls. Basically, they are professional rooms - clubhouse locker rooms - not the typical hole in the wall under the bleachers room for hockey. It had carpet in areas plus rubber matting for skates. There was some workout equipment around too.

I have been downing water as my skin is so dry, but I think I'm handling the altitude well. Several of my teammates have had some difficulty or have had asthma problems. I noticed WARNING sign about the altitude leaving the locker room after our official practice.

Our practices have been OK. I think our best was this morning at the practice rink a suburb over. We actually moved our moving circle for the first time in awhile. It seems to be coming together. We have already qualified for Nationals as all four masters teams move on. I hope we skate like deserve to go. I'll try my best.