About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

May 2009

Kids' Questions with Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett

Pairs skaters Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett enjoyed a dream season, winning the silver medal at the 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland, Ohio, and finishing ninth in their first appearance at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles. The duo, who paired up less than a year ago, took the skating world by storm with their dynamic talent, chemistry and energy. The Florida-based couple have their sights set on next season and the opportunity to compete for one of the U.S. slots at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

How many hours a day do you skate together?
Anneliese Glaubitz, 12
Chelsea, Mich.

Jeremy: Two hours off ice and three hours on ice, five day a week. Caydee and I start our day with an off-ice class. During the day, we skate two single sessions and two pairs sessions, and finish the day with fitness.

Why did you choose ice skating over roller skating?
Nicole Ogloza, 14
New Port Richey, Fla.

Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett Photo by Getty Images

Caydee: Switching from roller skating to ice skating was a tough decision because my entire family comes from a line of champion roller skaters. After I won the juvenile singles event at roller nationals, I knew I wanted to follow my dreams and skate in the Olympics. Roller skating is not an Olympic sport, although I think it should be.

How long did it take you to learn how to do triples after switching from roller skating to ice skating? I switched over to ice a little more than a year ago, and I am just now getting my doubles.
Oliver Burris, 14
Merritt Island, Fla.

Caydee: I switched to ice at age 9 and landed my first double Axel when I was 11. By 13, I had all my triples up to triple flip and now, at 15, I can land all my triples consistently. I've been setting goals for myself for seven years on the ice, and through hard work and determination you can achieve your goals, too.

What was it like to find yourselves in first place after the short program at the U.S. Championships?
Bonnie Weinberg, 13
Sterling, Va.

Caydee: It was absolutely awesome and totally unexpected! I will never forget that moment.
Jeremy: Awesome! After Caydee and I finished our short, it definitely took a little while for it to sink in that we won after only skating together for eight months. We went from not many people knowing who we were to being on the front page of the sports section of USA Today. Even though there was a whirlwind of people wanting to talk to us after the short, we both went back to our hotel rooms and took some time by ourselves to regroup and refocus for the free skate.

What do you consider to be your biggest on-ice accomplishment this season?
Kate Manzagol, 16
Clarkston, Mich.

Caydee: Our free skate at the World Championships in Los Angeles was our biggest on-ice accomplishment. Skating a clean program, hearing the crowd's energy and receiving the enormous standing ovation was not only a huge self accomplishment but an honor and memorable experience that I will never forget.
Jeremy: Being able to perform clean free skates at both the U.S. Championships and World Championships after skating together for a short time.

What does it feel like being so well known already? Did you guys surprise yourselves with the silver medal?
Nathaly Bernard, 18
Stroudsburg, Pa.

Caydee: Winning the silver medal was a great surprise, although deep down inside I knew we could do it.
Jeremy: We weren't sure what to expect going into the U.S. Championships as far as placement because we were a new team, so we went in focusing on our performance and letting the judges take care of their job.

How do you juggle being 16 and an elite skater? Do you set aside time strictly for friends? Do you plan on getting your license soon?
Dan Becker, 16
White Lake, Fla.

Caydee: Jeremy has been teaching me to drive. I plan on getting my license when I am 16, but as of right now, I just have my permit. There is so much to do living in Florida: beaches, boating and entertainment parks! I'm always doing something with my friends on the weekends. They are supportive of my skating.

What do you like most about skating pairs? The lifts? The spins? Or just working as a team?
Kyle Smith, 16
Lynchburg, Ohio

Caydee: I would say that, technically, I love doing throws and the triple twist, but what I enjoy most about skating pairs is having a partner who has the same goals and makes skating so much fun.
Jeremy: What I like most about skating pairs is how athletic it is and how there is no limit to how much you can create.

When you attended the World Championships, did you check out the sights or see anyone famous?
Erica Thulson, 16
Los Angeles, Calif.

Caydee: I had such a blast in Los Angeles. I had the chance to check out Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, the Garment District and the Pacific Coast, which was beautiful. While I was touring around the Hollywood area, I saw Danny DeVito and his big black dog. It was really cool.
Jeremy: I didn't get a chance to check out too much outside the rink, but I did see a lot of awesome skating.

What is the difference between the top pairs teams in the world and the top U.S. teams?
Katie Reid, 18
Billings, Mont.

Caydee: I think the top world pairs teams have quality, maturity and consistency that comes from experience and development. It's something a pairs team can obtain with time.
Jeremy: I think time together is what separates the United States from everyone else. When we were at Worlds, Caydee and I were skating against some teams that have been together for five to 10 years. Teams in the United States break up too often to really mature into a competitive team.