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KIDS' QUESTIONS

August/September 2005

Kids' Questions with Emily Hughes

How do you manage to get good grades when you are training so much?
Amanda Galfano, 15, Beloit

I am fortunate that I have very dedicated teachers at my school. They have spent extra time giving me assignments in advance when I travel and finding time to fit in extra help sessions. I think most teachers will do this if they know that you are going to do all the assignments and treat your schoolwork seriously. This makes their extra time worthwhile. Also, I think there is a relationship between school and skating. My practices always seem to be better when my school work is up to date. The last two years I have taken three to four weeks off from skating before my final exams to make sure that I am prepared.

Emily Hughes

What have you learned from your sister Sarah's experience as an Olympic champion – both on and off the ice?

Watching Sarah's Olympic winning free skate in Salt Lake City was one of the greatest experiences of my lifetime. I learned to believe in myself. I learned that real champions combine a strong will to win and a rock solid confidence with a gracious, respectful manner. I learned the importance of balancing life among skating, family, friends and school.

I'm having trouble with my double Axel. What are some tips that you used to finally master it?

I sympathize with you. It took me almost four years to get my double Axel. I started trying it when I was 9 years old, and I didn't really feel comfortable with it until I was 13. My first piece of advice is to keep practicing it; the thrill of achieving it is well worth the effort. It is a major accomplishment and, for me, the triple jumps all came much easier and quicker after I started landing my double Axel clean. I think that my off-ice work with my trainer, Morgan Richardson, was very important. The first thing you need to land a double Axel is strength. Also, the time I spent on the harness with Nick Perna was invaluable. And finally, the patience and never wavering encouragement from my coach kept me optimistic.

What kinds of music do you like to listen to? What are your favorite inspirational pieces of music or music that you really like to warm up to?

Any Simon and Garfunkel song played by my brother, Matt. When Matt is not available to play, I like to listen to Destiny's Child, Coldplay, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band and Maroon 5. I like to warm up to “Chariot” by Gavin Degraw.

How do you keep calm and stay focused before an event? Have your nerves ever impacted your skating at an event?
Cassandra Latsios, 14

Knowing that I am well prepared and fit is the most comforting feeling before a competition. My coach, Bonni Retzkin, and others close to me like Lauren Jason are also terrific at keeping me loose and relaxed.

What do you like the best about ice skating? Also, what's your favorite trick on the ice?
Danielle Gilmore, 12, Raleigh, N.C.

The thrill of competition is the thing I like best about skating. I have learned that this thrill only comes when you have trained hard and prepared well. Skating a program the way you have envisioned it and practiced it so many times is such a special feeling. I also really enjoy choosing my music and laying out my program with my choreographer, Nathan Birch. Nathan is a genius. It's also fun to help my dress designer, Tania Bass. As for my favorite trick, I can't really pick just one. I like trying to put together unusual and creative spins. So I would probably choose spinning as my favorite thing. But, on the other hand, nothing can beat landing a solid triple jump.

In 2002 you co-wrote “I Am a Skater.” How was that experience and do you plan on continuing with a writing career, or is skating your sole passion right now?
Jordan Rheanne Murphy

“I Am a Skater” was a fabulous experience. One day when I was practicing at my rink in Long Island, N.Y., a photographer, Jane Feldman, came over to me and some of my friends and asked whether she could take some pictures of us. Of course, we all agreed. A few weeks later Jane called my parents and explained that she wanted to do the book with me. The most fun was taking pictures with my family and friends. After the pictures were taken, I got to choose the ones to be used and write notes about them. I would love to do another book.

What was your experience like at World Juniors? How surprised were you that you got the bronze medal?
Tatum Spellings, 13

World Juniors was my first major international event and the first time I had ever been judged under the new judging system, so I didn't have any expectations. After the qualifying round, Bonni and I knew we needed to make some changes in my program to accommodate the new system. We made four major changes in the free skate. I never had the opportunity to skate the new program through completely before I had to perform it in the competition. As you can imagine, I was a little surprised that I skated the best program of my life, so far.

With the stardom you've achieved, are you able to live a normal life? Have you ever become so frustrated that you've thought of quitting skating?

I actually think my life so far has been normal. I live at home, go to a public school, and skate at my neighborhood rinks. Some of my friends skate, some don't. I have never thought about quitting skating. There certainly would be a large void in my life without skating.

Your moves in the field are so wonderful, I think you could easily make the transition into ice dancing. How did you get so good at them, and have you ever thought of switching disciplines?

Thank you for the compliment. I do a lot of stroking and edge work in practice, just like ice dancers. But I love the jumps too much to change.

What is your home life like?

Our house is delightfully chaotic. In addition to my two brothers and three sisters, there are usually a few friends at our house joining in the confusion. My mom tries to keep our schedules, which is a full-time job. My coach, Bonni Retzkin, is very understanding and actually fits into the frenzy very well. This year my oldest sister, Rebecca, had twin girls, so the craziness continues, and I love it.

What is a typical day like for you?

Every day is jammed packed, but each is a little different. My school starts each day at 8 a.m. This year I was in 10th grade and took courses in math, English, global studies and chemistry. I've now completed most of my required high school courses, so the next two years should be a little lighter. I usually arrive at the rink about 2:30 p.m. each day. Some days I skate at Parkwood Rink, which is right across the street from my high school in Great Neck, Long Island, and some days I skate at Newbridge Arena in Bellmore, Long Island, which is about 30 minutes from home. I skate about two hours with Bonni and then I go to one of my off-ice activities -- ballet and pilates with Trish O'Donnell or training in the gym with Morgan Richardson. I also visit my physical therapist, Boyd Dyer, about once a week. Evenings are reserved for studying, and weekends are reserved for movies, shopping and dining out with my friends and family.