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KIDS' QUESTIONS

March 2004

It's been a while since Brian Boitano officially competed, but the Olympic champion, four-time U.S. titlist and two-time World champion, took a bit of time to answer questions from many kids. Here are his answers!

Q: What was your first reaction when you found out you'd won gold at the Olympics? What were you thinking as the flag was raised at the awards ceremony after you won your gold medal? Tania Matsuoka, 12, Sudbury, Mass.; Alisha Dishan, 11, Newtown; Jillian K. Dunn, 15, Andover, Mass.; Chiaki Oda, 15, Greenwich, Conn.; Alissa Kurtz, 15, Lancaster, Pa.

A: I found out that I had won from my teammate Christopher Bowman when he came into the locker room after the event finished, and at first I thought he was joking. Even now years later, I wake up and think, “Is it true? Did I really win the Olympics?” When they played the national anthem and the American flag went up, I felt like I was sharing that one short moment with all of America.

Q: Have you ever done a skating program to “What Would Brian Boitano Do,” the song from South Park? Did you grant permission for them to use your name in the song? Dyssa Anesh, 11, Needham

A: Yes, I skated a group number to “What Would Brian Boitano Do?” in one of my TV specials. They did not get my permission, and I have never met them. I first heard about it from a friend. So I went to see the movie and I thought it was really funny.

Q: Did you ever have trouble learning a skill (particularly a jump)? And how did you work through it? Emily, 15, Naperville, Ill.; Kristen Narez, 12, Vacaville, Calif.

A: I had a lot of trouble learning my Axel. I used to swing my free leg around like a flying camel, because it seemed like it would help me get more rotation, but in reality it kept me from getting all the way around. I had to learn to bring my free leg through straight and close to my body — even though it did not feel right at the time. It worked, and now it would feel wrong if my free leg ever swung around on the takeoff.

Q: You always create such original and creative programs. Where do you get the inspiration for your programs? Garrett, 13, Watertown

A: My ideas for skating programs come from many different sources, from music, CD covers, television, art, films, and especially from all the different choreographers I work with.

Q: How did you invent the Tano Lutz? Do you have any tips on how to do it? How do you make your spread eagles seem so easy and graceful? Stephen Kuo, 13, Plainsboro, N.J.; Rachel, 15, Seattle, Wash.; Sophia Bernitz, 9, Lexington, Mass.; Julia, 15, Huntsville, Ala.

A: My coach had me (along with all her students) work on and create different arm positions in the air and on landings for single and double jumps. That was my favorite, and I first tried it as a triple at Skate Canada. I almost missed it, so I took it out of my programs for two years, and when I put it back in it was a lot easier. It helps to swing your left arm back strong and early before you place it over your head. The error most people make is that they don't get their arm far enough back. Spread eagles take a lot of stretching to turn out enough to keep your knees locked and your body line straight. Consistent practice, speed and stretching help.

Q: When you look back at your career, if there was one thing you could change, what would it be and why? Cori Spencer, 16, Doylestown, Pa.

A: I probably would not change anything because if I did it might not have worked out the same way.

Q: What do you find time to do off the ice? What are your hobbies? Ashley, 12, Pennsylvania; Alyssa Neph, 14, Michigan; Bethany, 15, Wilkesboro, N.C.

A: Off the ice I like to relax and barbecue with my friends. My newest hobby is painting.

Q: How old were you when you landed your Lutz? Because your Lutz is so good, how do you stay on such a strong outside edge? Caitlin Bell, 8, Tomball, Texas; Michelle, 17, Sudbury, Mass.

A: I landed my first triple Lutz in practice when I was 13 and my first triple Lutz in competition when I was 14. I fell on a lot of them when I was learning, and that forced me to learn good technique including staying on a strong outside edge. My coach made me learn my single Lutz and double Lutz on perfect outside edges from the very beginning.

Q: While you were growing up and skating, who did you look up to and admire as a role model? Miranda Nordstrom, 9, Phoenix, Ariz.; Lori Cook, 17, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Jessica, 15, Wauwatosa, Wis.

A: I looked up to Terry Kubicka when I was 10 years old. He was a U.S. champion and technically ahead of all his competitors.

Q: Do you have any plans to tour in the future? Rebecca, 11, Houston, Texas

A: Right now I don't have any touring plans, but I am not discounting future possibilities.