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KIDS' QUESTIONS

March 2006

Kids' Questions with Nancy Kerrigan

Was it hard to teach David Coulier to skate (Skating with Celebrities)? How do you think skating has changed since you performed in 1994? Do you have any tips on double toe loops?
Lauren Clark, 14 Houston

Skating with Dave was so much fun. He is funny and a really nice guy. He made us laugh a lot and sometimes I was able to make him laugh, too. Fortunately, I really did not have to teach Dave how to skate. He is a good hockey player so he already knew the basics and I had the help of Randy Gardner to teach him the things he had to learn. I think “Skating With Celebrities” was a great show and I am really glad I was part of it. As for skating today, I think it has changed somewhat. The new scoring system has changed the way you look at a program. Also, there seems to be so much more emphasis on the jumps today. I think that has taken away some of the subtle elements in the sport, which I think are needed.

Nancy Kerrigan

As a two-time Olympic medalist and winner of countless other titles, you must have millions of skating memories. What's your favorite?
Robin Huntley, 16, Whitefield, Maine

I don't know that I really have a favorite memory. The Olympics, of course, stand out but so have a lot of other shows, events, people and places. I loved performing in “Footloose on Ice”. That may have been my favorite show of all time. I have had great times traveling around the world with friends and family. For me, it has not been so much about the winning of medals but the opportunities. Skating has opened up so many doors for me that have created a lot of great memories. Also, I have always just loved skating. Above all else, skating has allowed me to do something that I really enjoy.

How many hours a day did you train? What other things besides skating did you do to help you with your skating?
Reyna Hamui, 12 Tampa, Fla.

I don't train much anymore but when I was competing, I trained all day, every day. What I mean by that is that my whole life revolved around skating so, in a sense, I was always in training. I would go to sleep early, get up early and go skate, go to school and then skate more. I also took ballet, other dance classes, spent a lot of time on my fitness and made sure I ate correctly. I guess the real answer is that if you are trying to compete at an elite level, you are always in training.

Do you think you would have been as successful with the new judging system? Do you think it is good for the sport?
Sasha Mclove, 9 Orlando, Fla.

I don't really know how I would have done under the new system. It does reward the skater in a different way than when I was competing. I think it does take some of the subjectivity out of the sport so you never know how that would have changed results from when I was competing. I am not sure yet whether it is good for the sport. We need to give it a bit more time.

What was it like to go to your first Olympic Games? How did it feel to stand on the podium and receive your medal?
Samantha Scarpa, 10 Bayonne, N.J.

My first Olympics was so much fun, although I was sick during a portion of it. However, being among all the athletes and going to some of the events and other activities was one of the great experiences of my life. My attitude was that there are 250 million people in the United States and only a few get to go to represent the country at the Olympic Games. So, for me, it was just an overwhelmingly exciting time. Getting the medal was just icing on the cake.

Who made your competition dresses? Do you have your Olympic medals on display in your home? Are they heavy?
Sabrina Scarpa, 8 Bayonne, N.J.

My Olympic dresses were made by Vera Wang. My medals are not on display at home. They are put away for now. The medals are a little heavy although the Albertville medal is made of a lot of glass so it is less so.

I am doing my first solo and I don't think my routine is good enough. I have no time and I'm scared. How did you overcome nervousness when you were young?
Jessica Capon, 11 Springhill, Nova Scotia Canada

When I was young I really wasn't nervous. I got nervous as I got older. You should always remember that you are there to have fun. If you have fun with your skating and love what you are doing, you shouldn't be too nervous. Remember, a little bit of nerves is good. It generally means you are ready to compete.

Who has influenced your skating career the most?
Amber Campbell, 17 Springfield, Mo.

There have been a lot of people involved in my career but the people who have influenced me most are my parents. They have been with me through every step in my skating career and have supported me in some way as each new thing came along.