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KIDS' QUESTIONS

November 2003

2003 U.S. bronze medalist Ryan Jahnke took time to answer questions from many kids, and here are his answers! Also, check out the six questions at the bottom that he answered only here on U.S. Figure Skating Online that aren't in the magazine.

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Q: How did it feel to win the bronze at the U.S. Championships this past year? Jessica, 18, Clarks Summit; Rebecca, 10, Houston, Texas; Liann W., 10, Issaquah, Wash.; Amy Manning, 16, Traverse City, Mich.

A: Words can hardly describe it. It was like watching someone else on TV win a medal but it was through my own eyes! I couldn't stop smiling. I hardly knew what to say to people when they were congratulating me, and it felt like nothing could bring me down. In a strange way I also experienced a sense of relief because all of my effort finally reaped a reward.

Q: What was it like to compete in your first Worlds? Christina Elise, 12, East Lansing; Mark Fuentes, 15, Houston, Texas; Lauren, 15, Cornwall

A: Competing at Worlds is a true test of one's mental abilities. It was a great honor to realize that by simply making it there I am considered one of the world's best. Conversely, the imagined importance of Worlds was a weight that at times was hard to brush off my shoulders. I learned so much, and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

Q: What do you think is your greatest accomplishment in your skating and/or off the ice? What do you think got you to accomplish this? Jessica, 15, Wauwatosa, Wis.

A: Sure, ask me the hard questions. Having a great marriage and a wife who loves me is at the top of my list. Making my marriage a priority has been my contribution — the rest is by the grace of God!

Q: I've noticed you do one of your triples with your arm over your head. Does that make you rotate faster? Caitlyn Hatch, 10, Kennewick, Wash.

A: I actually started putting my hand over my head on my triple Lutz because I wanted to be like one of my favorite skaters, Brian Boitano! At first it just made me fall, not spin faster. But now it is not any harder than my other jumps.

Q: I read somewhere that your Cinderella free skate was for your wife or inspired by her — something like that. What is that about? Stephanie Littman, 14, Carmel, Ind.

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A: Yep, Tashiana was the inspiration for last year's long program. Here's the CliffsNotes version of the story. When I decided to propose I wanted to make it special — something she would always remember and love to tell stories about.

One time Tashiana came to my rescue by cleaning my home and car while I was away at a competition because my parents were coming into town. When I came back she jokingly said she felt like Cinderella since she had been cleaning for days. (Don't worry, I'm a reformed husband. Scout's honor.)

I orchestrated the entire engagement from the Cinderella fairy tale. I had a scroll made and sent to "Cinderella" inviting her to the royal ball. I traded my VW Golf for a Mercedes SUV (the royal carriage) for the night and showed up with a glass slipper and flowers. She even left one of her shoes in my car at the end of our magical evening. Since I lived the story once, portraying the prince from the Cinderella ballet was a perfect choice for me.

Q: I am a Christian and I really admire you for not being ashamed of your faith. Has it been hard to be a figure skater and stand up for your faith? Brittany Pence, 15, Middlesex, N.C.

A: It is true that I am a son of God and that I'm convinced He is real. I also believe following God's ways are better than doing my own thing. It hasn't been hard standing up for my faith because nothing outside of me is greater than what's on the inside of me! I simply seek to live my faith every day and let God do His work through me. I think every skater should be a person of integrity and always do the right thing even if no one else does. Remember, you are an ambassador for our sport and our country wherever you go!

Q: How did you know figure skating was for you? Micaela, 13, Hamden

A: I didn't know figure skating was for me until I was already in over my head! Seriously now, it was because I enjoyed skating that I stuck with it. I don't know of any other sport that combines artistry and athleticism the way skating does. Besides that, skating is the hardest thing I've ever done, and there is always a new challenge to tackle. I actually didn't skate more than one freestyle a day until I was 12, so it did take me a while to realize it was for me.

Q: What are your favorite foods? Kiereyn, 13, Moscow

A: Chocolate and peanut butter! Since I can't survive well on those I also fancy fresh fruits and salads with lots of veggies in them. I enjoy following a vegan diet while training, and I think it helps me stay healthy.

Exclusive to U.S. Figure Skating Online:

Q: Now that you are a coach, what do you like most about it, and do you think it makes your scheduling harder during your training season? Ashley and Mary-kate, 15 and 18, New York

A: Without a doubt coaching makes my scheduling harder while training but it also provides me with many benefits that I love. If I didn't coach I wouldn't be able to continue competing since this sport takes a little more than pocket change. Sometimes I'll be having an awful day skating but when I teach one of my students who is on fire that day I leave the lesson feeling great! Lastly, I love passing on my experience by helping skaters avoid the pitfalls I fell into while learning new elements.

Q: How important do you think downtime is to you, and what do you do in your downtime? Maki and Emily, 12 and 10, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Kelsey, 16, Jacksonville

A: The more I learn the more I am realizing that rest is just as important as training. Now I view my rest and recovery times on an equal level with my training and not something I do in my leftover time. In my downtime I like to spend time with my wife, sleep, read, pray, visit with friends and occasionally do nothing.

Q: When did you land your first double Axel? How long did it take you? Grace You, 12, San Jose, Calif.; Aaron, New York; Lauren B., 12, Chicago

A: I think I landed my first double Axel at 12 and it probably took me about a year to do it. My memory is much sharper with my triple Axel and that one took me six years to land. That's no joke. Perseverance and good technique are the most important things. Never quit!

Q: How many years have you been skating? Did you start with the Basic Skills program offered by U.S. Figure Skating? Georgina Oliver, 11, Ludlow, Mass.

A: I've been skating for 17 years and I did start with U.S. Figure Skating's Basic Skills program in Grosse Pointe, Mich.

Q: Now that you are in the top senior men's ranks, was it worth all of the sacrifices it took to get there? Taylor K., 12, Addison, Ill.

A: Absolutely, but I would change a few things if I were to do it again. :-) No one can be good at everything, so find something that is worthy of your time and sacrifice and pursue it.

Q: How do you prepare mentally before competitions? Do you get nervous? Michael Donovan, 13, Rochester, N.Y.; Melisa Mendi, 12, Istanbul, Turkey; Kathy Guo, 11, Solon, Ohio

A: At competitions it works best for me to only be concerned with my skating and no one else's. In order to do that I work on controlling my thoughts as well as visualize my programs. I try hard to manage my anxiety level because I don't skate well if I am too nervous.

Q: How old were you when you got your first triple jump, and after you got it, were the rest of your triples easy to get? Adam, New York City

A: I think I was 13 when I landed a triple Salchow. I was 24 before I had my triple Axel somewhat consistent. I'm thinkin' I wasn't the quickest learner. Let's just say I'm exceptional and that it won't take you that long!

Q: What has been the hardest part about making it to the senior level and competing with all the top skaters at nationals? Lyndsey, 15, Palm Harbor

A: The hardest part about making it to the senior level has been the countless hours of work that it takes to be a competitive skater. At nationals I am competing against so many talented skaters who work just as hard as me. That's a recipe for a difficult and exciting competition!