About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

December 2005

Kids' Questions with Alissa Czisny

Is your last name Russian or Ukrainian? My last name is Russian.
Alisa Chernomashentsev, 9 Jacksonville, Fla.

My last name is shortened from a Prussian name. Prussia no longer exists as a country, but it was in the area of present-day Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia. I am also of Swedish, Norwegian, English, French, Russian, and Icelandic descent. That makes me one of the many Americans that fit into the description of the “melting pot” of America.

Alissa Czisny

Who are your favorite skaters for men, ladies, pairs and ice dance and why?
Gabrielle Norton-Moore, 16 Pitsburgh, PA.

My favorite skater is Scott Hamilton, who is also from Bowling Green, Ohio. He is a wonderful person, a great competitor, and knows how to capture an audience through his radiance and entertaining ability on the ice. Through all of his successes, he is still modest, gracious, and an encouragement to all the young skaters who would like to follow in his footsteps. When I was a young skater, I really enjoyed Kristi Yamaguchi's skating. I also admire Michelle Kwan's great accomplishments. Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov were one of my favorite pair teams. Their grace and beauty on the ice as a team were, unfortunately, too short-lived. Elizabeth and Jerod Swallow are two of my favorite dancers – Olympians and five time national champions, they have set a great example for U.S. dance teams. They are also two of my coaches and exceptional people.

What was your first reaction after finding out that you won Skate Canada?
Leah Wu, 13 Manhattan Beach, Calif.

I was very excited after I found out that I had won Skate Canada. My goal was to make it to the Grand Prix Final in Tokyo, Japan, and after I had skated two clean programs, I was thrilled to find out that I had reached my goal.

I love the music in your long program and I was wondering how you choose the music? Does your coach pick it or do you make the choices. Also, do you usually put together the short or long program first?
Sasha Mcfeel, 13 Tampa Bay, Fla.

Throughout the years of traveling to Detroit to train, I have listened to many CDs in the car, trying to find music for my programs. My coaches, along with Lenore Kay, who cuts my music, help search for music, also. I usually like classical or ballet music for my long program, and I try to find a different style of music for my short program. After we have found music that we all agree upon, we will usually choreograph my short program first, because it takes less time to choreograph.

How do you get your spiral so high and pretty?
Sheraine Atkinson, 11 Lancaster, Calif.

One of the first steps to getting high spirals is to stretch daily. I usually stretch for about a half hour before getting on the ice each day. It is also good to work to improve muscle strength with off-ice conditioning in order to be able to hold the spirals. I have had many years of ballet training that have helped me with my line and positions.

How long do you practice each day? Any advice on improving sit spins. Your spins are awesome.
Allie Fardelos, 10 Phoenix, Ariz.

I usually practice three (sometimes four) hours a day on the ice. In addition to my on-ice training, I have three hours of ballet per week and one hour of off-ice conditioning/weight training per week. I also try to rock climb once a week for strength (and to have fun). The best way to improve your spins is to spend time working on them each day. One way to improve sit spins is to do a lot of shoot-the-ducks to increase your leg strength.

Please give me advice on how I can get so wonderfully flexible. I'm also a figure skater and would like to present the spins and spirals so beautifully like you do.
Monika Simancikova, 10 Piestany Slovakia, Europe

I usually stretch for a half hour before I skate each day, because I think it is important to stretch daily to become flexible. I have taken ballet classes for many years, and that has also helped increase my flexibility. Spins and spirals are as important in freestyle as the jumps are, so I make sure that I give myself enough time everyday to practice them and to work on new spins.

I was wondering what you do with your costumes after your done with them?
Nicole Rossi, 8 Lansing, Mich.

After I'm done using my competition dresses, I usually keep them for backup dresses at competitions or use them for my show programs. Sometimes, I will sell them to other skaters.

Is is hard to keep a balance between college and skating?
Tiffany Nobles, 16 Yorktown

I enjoy learning and taking college classes as much as I enjoy skating. Skating challenges me physically, while school is a mental challenge. School is also a great distraction from the intensity of training and competing on the international level. I train in the mornings and early afternoons, and take late afternoon and evening classes. I have very little free time, because most of my time is spent doing schoolwork. If I am away from school for a competition, I usually try to get as much schoolwork done as I can before I go; but frequently I take my textbooks with me so that I can study on the plane or in the hotel room.

What off-ice training do you do to improve skating?
Laura G., 13 Maitland, Fla.

I usually do three hours of ballet per week, because ballet gives me good body awareness and helps me with my flexibility. I also have off-ice conditioning/weight training once a week, to help me gain core strength and upper-body strength. In addition, I make time to stretch for at least thirty minutes before getting on the ice each day.