About.com Figure Skating

Haley Gans, a Talented Young Figure Skater, Dies Tragically

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:38:48 +0000

Colorado figure skater, Haley Gans, died tragically in a skiing accident this past Friday, November 20, 2009. She was fourteen years old.

Haley brought joy to everyone she touched. Her mother, Pat, told me once that when Haley competed in figure skating competitions, she felt she was competing with people, rather than against them. She passed hugs and smiles around every day, and she brought happiness to the ice skating world.

Many people in figure skating knew and loved Haley. Gans was hearing impaired, but that disability did not stop her from doing great things in skating and in life.

_{Haley Gans - Gans Personal Photos}

Haley Gans, a Talented Young Figure Skater, Dies Tragically originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 00:38:48.

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"Bumper Cars" Is a Fun Ice Skating Game

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:00:10 +0000

In my lifetime, I've taught thousands of children to skate. I've also developed several ice skating games that have made figure skating fun. One of my favorite skating games to play with young children is "Bumper Cars." I invented the game!

How to Play the Bumper Cars Ice Skating Game

_{Ice Skating Fun - Illustration Works/Getty Images}

"Bumper Cars" Is a Fun Ice Skating Game originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 09:00:10.

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Ice Skating Is a "Fountain of Youth"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:24 +0000

Some people believe that spending time in a refrigerated ice rink delays the aging process.

Think about this: A cold refrigerator makes foods last longer, so perhaps a cold ice rink preserves our bodies!

Figure skaters do look young. Even if ice skating isn't a true "fountain of youth," spending time in an ice arena will definitely keep you fit.

_{Ice Skating Is Like a "Fountain of Youth" - Photo by JO ANN Schneider Farris}

Ice Skating Is a "Fountain of Youth" originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 09:00:24.

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Photo of the Week: Figure Skaters Sinead Kerr and John Kerr of Great Britain Do an "Unusual" Ice Dance Lift!

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:36 +0000

_{Figure Skaters Sinead Kerr and John Kerr of Great Britain Do an "Unusual" Ice Dance Lift! - Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images}

Amusing Action Photos of Competitive Figure Skaters

Photo of the Week: Figure Skaters Sinead Kerr and John Kerr of Great Britain Do an "Unusual" Ice Dance Lift! originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 09:00:36.

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Which U.S. Figure Skaters Will Make the 2010 Olympic US Figure Skating Team?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:19 +0000

As I watched Skate America this past weekend, I began to think about which U.S. figure skaters may qualify for the 2010 Olympic Figure Skating Team. After seeing Rachael Flatt win Skate America's ladies freeskate, I think Rachael has a good chance of being an Olympian. Evan Lysacek showed that he is definately planning on competing in another Olympics. Also, of course, ice dancing's outcome is predictable: Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto and Meryl Davis & Charlie White will be there. Pair skating is the opposite: I'm not sure which of the U.S. pair skaters will be on top.

Share your thoughts. Which figure skaters do you think will qualify for the 2010 Olympic US Figure Skating Team?

U.S. Figure Skaters Predicted to Qualify for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics

_{Some of the U.S. Men Who May Qualify for the 2010 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team - Brandon Mroz, Jeremy Abbott, Johnny Weir, and Evan Lysacek - Photo by Harry How/Getty Images}

Which U.S. Figure Skaters Will Make the 2010 Olympic US Figure Skating Team? originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 09:00:19.

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Gift Idea - A Unique Figure Skating Calendar

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:23:52 +0000

Katie Stader Holmes is a figure skating coach based in Kansas City. She has created a very unique 2010 Figure Skating Calendar. The calendar includes photos of decorated figure skates! The funds from the sale of her ice skating calendar will help pay for medical expenses for her autistic child.

I just received Katie's beautiful calendar in the mail. It really is original! Her calendar is a great gift idea.

_{Figure Skating Calendar 2010 - Photo Courtesy of Katie Stader Holmes}

Gift Idea - A Unique Figure Skating Calendar originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 20:23:52.

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Figure Skaters Are Role Models ON and OFF the Ice

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:49:38 +0000

Last summer, I asked a very famous figure skater about what she thought about the arrest of Nicole Bobek. (Nicole Bobek was the 1995 U.S. Ladies Figure Skating Champion.) She told me that it was so very sad, but also mentioned that she and most figure skaters should know that what goes on in their lives is on display. She said, "When things go well, no one says anything, but when something goes wrong, everyone notices."

This got me thinking that figure skaters should realize that what they say or do may be noticed by someone else. Every person involved with figure skating should keep in mind that he or she may be someone's role model ON and OFF the ice.

This also means that what you do on the internet is also on display. If you take part in figure skating forums or social networking sites, keep in mind that what you do or say online is public. Also, be up front about who you are. Do not pretend to be someone else. Be honest about what you have accomplished in life and in skating.

Happy Skating!

Television Thanksgiving Special Will Celebrate Cancer Survivorship Through Figure Skating and Music

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:51 +0000

"Kaleidoscope," a FOX television special that will air on Thanksgiving Day, will be celebrating skating, song and survivorship.

Olympic figure skating champions and cancer survivors Scott Hamilton and Dorothy Hamill will be performing. This will be the first television performance for Hamilton since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and Hamill will make a return to skating following her battle with breast cancer. Olympic Champion Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Medalist Nancy Kerrigan, and Olympic figure skating hopefuls Johnny Weir and Rachael Flatt will also appear.

The show will be taped on Monday, November 16, 2009 in Washington, D.C. at the Verizon Center. Cancer survivors may obtain complimentary tickets. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets.

_{Olympic Figure Skating Champions and Cancer Survivors Scott Hamilton and Dorothy Hamill Will Perform in the "Kaleidoscope" Thanksgiving Day FOX Television Special - Photo by Matthwe Stockman/Getty Images}

Television Thanksgiving Special Will Celebrate Cancer Survivorship Through Figure Skating and Music originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 11:00:51.

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John A.W. Nicks Is Coaching Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen Once Again

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:36:52 +0000

Yesterday, I heard that 2006 Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist, Sasha Cohen, is back training under her longtime coach, John A.W. Nicks. He is her primary advisor, but Rafael Arutunian, who has taught her during her comeback to the world of competitive figure skating, is still in the picture. Cohen's switch has been reported to be "the buzz of the ice skating world."

Nicks is also coaching 2008 and 2009 U.S. Pair Skating Skating Champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker. The upcoming 2010 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships that will lead up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver should be a very busy and interesting "Nationals" for Mr. Nicks!

_{Sasha Cohen and John Nicks - Photo Courtesy U.S. Figure Skating Copyright � Paul/Michelle Harvath}

John A.W. Nicks Is Coaching Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen Once Again originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 19:36:52.

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Will Meryl Davis and Charlie White Win the Olympic Ice Dancing Figure Skating Title?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:18:08 +0000

I just watched the 2009 U.S. ice dance champions, Meryl Davis and Charlie White's winning performance from the NHK Trophy that was held in Nagano, Japan. Their free dance brought tears to my eyes. Their dance spin, straight line-rotational lift with many changes of position, and a dance lift with White skating backwards on one foot while Davis balanced on his leg were incredible to watch. Their twizzles and footwork were also breathtaking.

They easily qualified for the 2009 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The crowd gave them a standing ovation. Some ice dancing fans say that they will win the ice dancing title at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

What are your thoughts? In the ever changing world of ice dancing, switching partners is the norm, but Meryl Davis and Charlie White's long-term ice dancing partnership seems to have paid off. Something wonderful may happen for them in Vancouver!

_{Meryl Davis and Charlie White - Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images}

Will Meryl Davis and Charlie White Win the Olympic Ice Dancing Figure Skating Title? originally appeared on About.com Figure Skating on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 13:18:08.

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About.com Figure Skating

Haley Gans, a Talented Young Figure Skater, Dies Tragically

"Bumper Cars" Is a Fun Ice Skating Game

Ice Skating Is a "Fountain of Youth"

Photo of the Week: Figure Skaters Sinead Kerr and John Kerr of Great Britain Do an "Unusual" Ice Dance Lift!

Which U.S. Figure Skaters Will Make the 2010 Olympic US Figure Skating Team?

Gift Idea - A Unique Figure Skating Calendar

Figure Skaters Are Role Models ON and OFF the Ice

Further Reading:

Television Thanksgiving Special Will Celebrate Cancer Survivorship Through Figure Skating and Music

John A.W. Nicks Is Coaching Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen Once Again

Will Meryl Davis and Charlie White Win the Olympic Ice Dancing Figure Skating Title?