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KIDS' QUESTIONS

February 2006

Kids' Questions with Katie Taylor

How long did it take you to land your double Axel and your first triple? Do you have any advice?
Taylor Galarnyk, 16 Eau Claire

It seems like it took me forever to get my double Axel. I would say it took me about three years to get it totally clean and consistent. I can remember cheating my double Axel for the longest time, but once I did my first clean one I could do them over and over. Once I landed the double Axel clean, the triples came fast because I already had the feel of many rotations in the air and landing cleanly backward from the double Axel. My advice is to never give up because the moment you think you will never learn something could be the moment you finally get it. Stay positive and make the most of your practices without getting frustrated.

Katie Taylor

During the course of your skating career, have you ever thought about giving up? What has been your inspiration and what has kept you going?
Kamila Malinowska, 16 Brooklyn, N.Y.

I have never thought about quitting skating, not even once. I love it too much, and I can't even imagine my life without skating. I think if you truly love the sport, you don't need an inspiration or something to keep you going because there is just something inside of you that keeps pushing you to be better and to work harder. However, I am extremely grateful for my parents and my coaches, because without their help and support I could never be the skater I am today.

How do you find time to skate every day with school, too? I go to elementary school and I never find time to skate.
Karly Knauss, 9 Sherwood

It is very difficult to balance school and skating. I do think elementary school is harder to find time to skate than high school. In high school you can take off-campus P.E. and you don't have to stay for lunch, whereas in elementary you must attend a full day of school. If it is too late to try and skate after school, maybe you can skate before school. And you can always skate on the weekends.

I am having a hard time with my crossovers. Can you give me a tip that may help? I saw you at nationals and thought you were great. Do you really get up at 3:45 a.m. every day to train?
Julia Passaro, 4 East Northport, N.Y.

Thanks Julia. My advice on your crossovers is to make sure your knees are always nice and soft so you can get a good knee bend. If your knees are too stiff and straight, it makes it very hard to pick up your foot and cross over without tripping. Yes, I really do wake up every morning at 3:45 to train, but I am used to it now because I have been doing it for more than five years. Since skating is something I love to do, it's not too difficult. I am just thankful my mom supports me enough to get up that early and drive me.

After you learned your double Axel and triple Salchow, did the rest of the triples come easy or harder, and if harder, in what sense? Do you have a special workout when you practice or do you just wing it?
Susan Caraway, 16 Mica

For me the triples came so much easier than the double Axel. I actually learned my triple loop first, and then I learned the other triples. The other triples came pretty fast because I had a good foundation with my doubles, and I had a good feel for the triple rotation after learning the first triple. I do have a special workout. I always warm up and stretch off the ice before getting on. Once I get on, I stroke for 15 minutes, and then I work on spins. After my muscles feel nice and warm, I go through all my jumps, and then I work on my programs. The week before competition I practice getting on the ice and doing my six-minute warmup, so that it comes easier to me when I am nervous at competition.

When you choose new music for any type of program, do you have custom-designed dresses made to complement the type of music used?
Georgina Oliveira, 13 Ludlow, Mass.

Yes, all my dresses have been custom designed and made by Mrs. Margaret at Skate Texas, which is a skate shop near my rink in Houston. My mom, Mrs. Jana (my coach) and I always listen to the music to see what color comes to mind when we hear it. We then take our ideas to Mrs. Margaret, and she comes up with her own great ideas. She makes the necessary adjustments and turns it into a beautiful dress. She is amazing.

Congratulations on your pewter medal at the 2006 nationals. What are your goals for the next few years? Do you see yourself at the 2010 Olympics?
Monica Pisano, 15 Princeton, N.J.

Thanks Monica. For the next few years I hope to keep competing well. I also want to keep improving on my presentation and relating to the audience and judges more when I compete. I definitely see myself at the 2010 Olympics. Four years seems like so long from now, but I know it's going to go by so fast. Before you know it, the Olympics will be here again.

What kind of healthy foods do you eat to stay so fit? I'm looking for some food choices I can eat that are healthy and give you energy for skating.
Autum Morin, 12 Tigard

I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. I eat vegetables every day, and I love to make fruit smoothies. Cereals and oatmeal are great choices for breakfast to give you energy before you skate. Stay away from desserts if you can. They are just empty calories. Drink a lot of water to replace sodas. If you need something besides water try drinking Propel. I love Propel. I drink about five bottles of lemon Propel a day.

Who was your skating inspiration as a kid?
Joe Smith, 12 LaCrosse, Wis.

As a kid I can remember always seeing Michelle Kwan on television. She is the kind of skater who always makes you want to skate after watching her. I think I am most inspired by her since she skates because she loves it and not just because she wants to win.

How were you able to stay focused with all of the TV guys filming or taking pictures of you all the time?
Moriah Tabon, 13 Highlands Ranch, Colo.

I just stayed focused on myself and my programs and pretended like they weren't around. I gave them a wave and a smile, and then I went back to concentrating on myself. In the beginning the cameras are a lot of fun, but you really have to maintain a strong focus on your goals.

Do you like being compared to Tara Lipinski?
Andrea Palavachini, 13 Burlington, Vermont

It's great to be compared to an Olympic champion. She was always so much fun to watch, and you can tell she was very focused and determined. She had a competitive look in her eyes, and she always looked like she was having so much fun. I think I am like her in that sense, but I think we also have our own unique styles.