About Us

KID SPOTLIGHT

August/September 2001

Nick Albizo

Age: 11

Hometown: Reston, Va.

Club: Washington FSC

Skating level: I currently compete at the juvenile level. I tested intermediate moves in July 2001.

How long I've been skating: My parents took me to an outdoor ice rink at age 2, shortly after the Olympic Winter Games in 1992, because I kept figure skating around the house and saying I wanted to go to the "real" ice. I kept skating and started taking some lessons at around age 5. I began training more seriously when I was 10 with my coach Rashid Kadyrkaev.

How often I skate: I skate six days a week and do ballet and off-ice jumping drills and conditioning as part of my training.

Favorite skaters: I like Michelle Kwan because of her artistry and because she is such a great role model for skaters; Alexei Yagudin because of the passion in his skating; Evgeny Plushenko because of his terrific jumps; Naomi Nari Nam because of the excitement and spark in her skating.

Favorite jumps/moves: Axel, double loop, double flip, Biellmann spin, sit spin and flying camel. {~PL2~}

Favorite skating moments: Landing my first double Axel on my birthday, Jan. 26, at 5:59 p.m. Another exciting moment was having a lesson with Alexei Mishin at my home rink.

What I like about skating: When I am skating I feel so alive and full of energy. I know that skating requires a lot of discipline and hard work, but in the long run, it will all pay off. I learn a lot by just seeing people skate in competitions and exhibitions and I try to apply that to my skating. I'd like to be a professional skater someday.

What else you should know about me: I am very flexible, so my friends call me "Gumby" and "flexi-boy." When I'm not skating or in school, I enjoy listening to music, playing tennis and reading. I am going into the sixth grade this fall. My favorite subjects are English (writing) and social studies.