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KIDS' QUESTIONS

November 2004

Evan Lysacek is the three-time World Junior silver medalist and the 2003 Junior Grand Prix Final champion. He's moving up in the U.S. senior men's ranks, so check out what he had to say in his first time taking on the kids press! U.S. Figure Skating Online also has exclusive questions and answers that weren't in SKATING magazine.

Q: What is your favorite jump? An Vuong, 13, Reading, Pa.

A: My favorite jump is the triple flip. I always put it at the end of my programs because I know I can rely on it in competition.

Q: I was just wondering how the transition from junior level to the senior level is going for you, and if you're looking forward to competing with guys like Timothy Goebel? Danielle Lovett, 16, Rhode Island

A: I can't wait for this coming season, since it is the first in which I will compete in the senior Grand Prix Series. I am hoping it will be a smooth transition for me, after gaining so much experience on the junior circuit. Last season, at Four Continents, I won my first senior international medal. That gave me a lot of confidence for this year. The most important thing for me to remember when competing in big events is to stay relaxed.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of your skating career? Bethany Degraff, 16, Wilkesboro

A: The most exciting and fulfilling part of my career was performing in An Evening with Champions at Harvard University. The show's proceeds benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute. The skaters have the opportunity to visit the hospital where some of the patients are receiving treatments. It's amazing to see so many brave and courageous kids in one place. It's a wonderful and worthy cause. This was my third year participating in the show, and each year I understand more how much help it really provides. It's great to perform in huge arenas full of people, but doing my part to find a cure for life threatening illnesses is more exciting than anything.

Q: What are some of your goals for this year? What are some of your long-term goals in this sport? Kelly Rogers, 14, Arvada, Colo.

A: This season is an exciting one for me since it is the first year that I will participate in the ISU Grand Prix Series. My goal is to have strong and exciting performances at both Skate America and Cup of Russia. I am really working to qualify for the 2005 World Team, which means that I have to medal at the U.S. Championships. It's months away, but I am already so looking forward to it. Looking ahead, I definitely have Olympic dreams. I have so much work to do with my coaches Frank Carroll and Ken Congemi before 2006, but I am striving to qualify for the 2006 Olympic Team.

Q: Hey Evan! I really enjoyed watching you at nationals. You have incredible jumping ability. Will you be planning on doing any quads in upcoming competitions? Adriana Ragni, 15, Nazareth

A: Thanks for your compliments, Adriana. I have planned out my new routines for this coming season to include a quad. However, a stress fracture in my hip hindered my training this spring, and I was only able to begin work on the quad toe in August. It's coming along pretty well, and I am still striving to incorporate it into my program for this year's U.S. Championships.

Q: What is the song that pumps you up the most before competitions? Susie Johnson, Minneapolis

A: When I really need to get pumped up, I put on the Less Than Jake, Anthem CD. It always gives me motivation.

Q: What is your daily routine like? What time do you get to the rink and how long are you on the ice? What do you usually do when you get home from practice? Jesi Ramirez, Lawrenceburg, Ken.

A: My daily routine works around my training. I wake up and do a workout, including some of the exercises designed to prevent another stress fracture in my hip. I then have a quick bite to eat and head to the rink. I practice on ice between three and four hours. After practice I get a good stretch then head back to the gym. That's when I do a more vigorous weight workout, then it's time to rest up for the next day.

Q: You've traveled all over the world because of your skating. Which countries were your favorite to visit? Garrett Kling, 14, Watertown, Minn.

A: Thus far in my skating career, I have visited more than 30 different nations. I honestly enjoyed my stays in each and every country, trying to always find sites and attractions to visit and learn from. But I do have my favorites. The 2004 Junior Grand Prix Final was held in Malmo, Sweden. We happened to be there not long before Christmas and were able to experience the country's holiday traditions. It was exactly what you would imagine Christmas to be in a European village. Another place that I was especially fond of was Montreal, Canada. The city is divided into an old town and a modern city. It was an exciting trip, not to mention how great the Canadian fans are. I always wanted to travel to France, and in 2002 I was invited to do a Christmas Gala in Courchevel, France. It is a small but very exclusive ski town in the Alps. The scenery was breathtaking and the fondue was even better. No matter where I travel, I still love coming back to the USA, my home and favorite country!

Q: How did you and Jenny Kirk meet each other? Brittany Pence, 16, Middlesex, N.C.

A: Jenny and I met many years ago at a team camp in Colorado. We became close at a show that we did together in Skokie, Ill., and now we are training partners at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo, Calif. It's nice to have a friend and supporter at the rink. We are very lucky to train in such an amazing facility with such great coaches and skaters.

Q: What is the hardest decision you and your family have had to make about skating? Madeline Heritage, 9, Beaverton, Ore.

A: The most difficult decision that my family has had to make in regards to skating was my most recent coaching change. My parents were insistent that I finish high school at Neuqua Valley, because it is such an amazing school (rated in the top 10 in the U.S.). They had told me that after I graduated I could pursue my skating with 100 percent of my energy. That meant relocating to find a competitive training center. They asked me to make a list of coaches that I wanted to try out with. The list consisted of one person — Frank Carroll. So I jumped on a plane to L.A. (following my AP exams) and had a tryout. Mr. Carroll was so busy with his own high level team of skaters, but he gave me a chance. For that, I am so grateful to him. I try to always give him my very best, each and every day. I have so much trust in him, and I know that with him I am ready to take on the world of figure skating. It's so difficult to make a move so blindly, knowing nothing about the place you are going. I guess I went with a hunch. I had a feeling that this would be the right place for me to pursue my dream. It turns out that Mr. Carroll, Ken Congemi, and the HealthSouth Training Center are so much better than I could have ever imagined.

Q: Who do you feel has had the biggest impact on you and your skating? Melissa Kwan, 16, Sugar Land, Texas

A: I have been lucky to have so much help and support throughout my career. My home club (DuPage Figure Skating Club) has given me much needed support and guidance throughout the years. I began skating, like most, with no idea what the sport of figure skating entailed. The DuPage FSC gave my family and me knowledge and guidance that were necessary to progress.

Famed trainer Kathy Casey had significant impact on my skating. She has a gift for being able to ignite a fire in young athletes, and she certainly did so for me. I am honored to say that I am coached by Frank Carroll. He has helped my skating in so many ways. He has made training a passionate pursuit of a dream for me. His expertise is unmatched, and I am always amazed at his profound ideas. I have to include my choreographer, Oleg Epstein, whose creativity and critical eye have taken my skating to a whole new level.

The most important influence to me, in my skating and my life, has and always will be my family. Their support through thick and thin has meant more to me than words can express. They have given me the tools to achieve my goals. Behind every great athlete there is a proud family who have sacrificed so much as well.

Q: Was it exciting when you placed in the top five at this past nationals? Alexandra Soro, 12, Miami

A: The U.S. Championships last year in Atlanta was one of the most thrilling competitions of my career. I had been wanting so much to break into the top group of men, but it was a difficult task since I was young and was still trying to balance junior- and senior-level events. In Atlanta though, I made up my mind that I was going to take the ice in the short program and put on a real show. My coaches and choreographer kept me calm and gave me insightful advice. I was able to use all of my adrenaline to deliver a strong short program. The excitement carried throughout the rest of the week. Having my routines broadcast on national television was an honor in and of itself. Although my free skate did not go as well as I had been practicing, I still had such a blast and learned so much from the U.S. Championships.

Q: I always get nervous and worked up at competitions. You always look so calm and relaxed. How do I keep my nerves under control like you do? Harrison Choate, 11, Weston

A: It's totally normal to get nervous before you compete, Harrison; we all do. But a key to successful competitions is turning that nervous energy you are feeling into excitement and adrenaline. It's tough to put yourself on the line in front of judges, coaches, peers and family. Many of us try to rely on luck or talent alone, but the truth is that there is no luck — you're either trained or you're untrained. The only way you can control your own confidence and outcome is to show up to each event ready and trained to perform. The most calming thought to play in your mind before you compete is, “I've done this program thousands of times in practice, and there is no way I am messing up now.” To answer your question, you can keep your nerves under control by training them every day. Practice the way you want to compete.