About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

January 2002

U.S. pairs champion, Olympic silver medalist and ABC commentator Peter Carruthers answers your questions about working in television and being an Olympic medalist. The response to Kids' Questions continues to be impressive, so keep those questions and photos coming every month.

Peter Carruthers

Q: What did it mean for you to take part in the Tribute show in New York City in October? Hada, 14, Mequon, Wisc.

PC: That was an incredible event. I never dreamed I would one day be part of such a special group of people. The highlight for me was introducing my coach Ron Ludington, and Frank Carroll — both students of the late Maribel Vinson Owen. Ron and Frank have so many wonderful stories about Maribel. I know some of her philosophy was passed on to Ron, and he, in turn, passed it on to us. We are forever grateful for her contribution to skating.

Q: You and Kitty winning the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics is one of the most memorable scenes in figure skating. How did winning the medal change your life? Stacy, 18, Philadelphia, Pa.

PC: It made me believe then and now that with hard work and preparation you can attain your goal. It also made me realize how fortunate I am to have such caring parents. My folks were there in the good times and the bad times, always supportive and optimistic. Every once in awhile, someone will ask to see my Olympic medal, and it takes me back to the Olympics, standing on the podium with Kitty and seeing my parents in the audience. It is a very powerful memory. Good luck to you Stacy.

Q: You must travel a lot to do your work for ABC. How do you combine your work with spending time with your family? David, 16, Los Angeles, Calif.

PC: The Grand Prix of Figure Skating takes me on the road for a solid month in November each year. That's a pretty long stretch to be away from the family. My wife and kids know this is my job, and it's what I love to do. Sometimes they come to events to see the skating. This is fun for my wife because she is a former skater. ABC is a great company to work for, and I enjoy the people I work with. That makes it a little easier when I'm on the road for long periods of time.

Q: I am not a skater, but I know a lot about it and watch it all the time. Is it still possible that I can become a commentator? From many kids

PC: You never know. Try this sometime: turn on a skating event, turn down the TV and try commentating over the pictures. Record your voice and play it back to see how you sound. If nothing else, you can always write about skating. The internet provides many different platforms for people who enjoy the sport.

Q: What's it like to work with Dick Button and Peggy Fleming? Katie, 15, Omaha, Neb., and others

PC: They are great people to work with, and we all respect each other and work as a team. We're always thinking of new ways to bring our coverage to a higher level — not unlike the days when we skated. You want to put the best product out there for everyone to see.

Peter with Joanna Glick (right) at A Skating Tribute

Q: How do you know when to make positive or negative remarks about a skater without being mean? Anne, 8, New Orleans, La.

PC: You try to call it as you see it. There is a fine line between giving constructive criticism and making comments that could personally offend someone. The main objective is to be truthful. During our coverage, we try to educate and inform the viewer so they can have a better understanding of the sport.

Q: How did you enjoy competing with your sister? What was your relationship with her like when you were skating? Gabriella, 13, Springfield, and Melissa Kwan, 13, Sugar Land, Texas

PC: It was special to skate with my sister. She is a very hard worker. We had, and still have, a close relationship. Kitty is a strong competitor. The thing I admire most about her is that if you give her a challenge, she will prevail. On the other hand, she is a very gentle and caring person.

Q: How did you get into skating? How old were you when you started? Do you still skate regularly? Kathryn McGee, 13, Grand Rapids, Mich.

PC: I started skating when I was 7 years old on a backyard skating rink that my father built for us in Burlington, Mass. In those days, skating was strictly for fun, but one thing led to another. I took some tests, then tried my hand at competition. In the beginning, I never dreamed of making it to the Olympics. If Dad hadn't built that backyard rink for fun, who knows what would have happened? Thanks, Dad. I don't skate on a regular schedule anymore, but when I do get on the ice it makes me realize how much I miss it.

Q: Most of us only see you doing commentating work behind the microphone. I am sure you must do a lot of preparation to make the TV coverage a success. Can you tell me the steps you go through to prepare and cover each event? Victoria Cai, 11, Millis, Mass.

PC: A big part of the prep work involves watching practice to get a feel for how people are skating. We talk with our TV producer to get the big picture of our story. There are so many components that make up a television show, so you have to be prepared with your information for each individual skater. Once the competition starts, you call what you see, but all of this fits into segments that must be timed out perfectly for commercials to roll in throughout the broadcast.

Q: Do you ever get nervous that you will accidentally identify a jump or a spin wrong when you're on the air? What do you do if you make a mistake? Laura Lepzinski, 13, Grand Rapids, Mich., and others

PC: Sometimes you do make a mistake. The best thing you can do is try to correct yourself on the air if you do miscall a jump or a spin, etc. It's just like skating — if you make a mistake, you can't dwell on it. You just have to move on.

Q: It has been a long time since you skated competitively. What do you think are the biggest changes in pairs skating since that time? Leann, 14, Dallas, Texas

PC: The lifts are more difficult, and you have to have side-by-side triples in your programs to be competitive. There are more position changes within the lifts. In pairs skating, the team must exhibit strong singles skills as well as difficult pair moves.

Q: How would you compare competing with commentating? Are there similarities between the two? Chris, 13, Boise, Idaho

PC: Good question. Like skating, you have to be prepared. When you go on-camera, you get that same feeling of being on display that you get when you're on the ice. Also similar is the fact that you only get one shot at it when you're in a live show. The concern to get it right without making mistakes is just like skating. When everything goes well, there's a feeling of satisfaction.

Q: If you hadn't decided to become a skater, what do you think you would have done with your life? Jane, 10, Chicago, Ill.

PC: That's a tough question to answer. I can only say that I am thankful to have skating in my life. The Olympics, Ice Capades, Stars on Ice, ABC Sports — all of this is because of skating. Most importantly, I met my wonderful wife through skating. I feel very fortunate.