About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

October 2003

Two-time U.S. silver medalist Sasha Cohen took time to answer questions from many kids, and here are her answers! Also, check out the six questions at the bottom that she answered here on U.S. Figure Skating Online that aren't in the magazine.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time? Lauren, 13, Savage, MN; Sarah M., 13, Norcross, Ga.; Katie Hayes, 13, Woodland, Calif.

A: Usually I'm tired as I watch TV or rent movies. But if I'm feeling particularly energetic I like to go to the lake and shopping is always fun.

Q: Have you ever thought of making your own line of competition skate wear? Jennifer, 14, Randolph

A: No I haven't, but it probably would be something fun to do.

Q: How does it feel to have accomplished so much at a young age? And how does it feel to have so many people looking up to you and your skating? Chani Woodward, 16, Indianapolis

A: It's neat to think of it like that and to think of the impact your life has on other people. I see younger skaters at the rink and it's neat that they look up to me. I try to be a good role model.

Q: How do you find time to spend with friends and family with skating so much? Katie Alary, 14, Thornton, Colo.; Rachel Wayne, 15, Unionville; Kim Diehl, 16, Lincoln Park, Mich.

A: It's difficult, but I'm with my family for dinner every evening, and I see my friends at the rink or we get together. But it is hard because training takes up my whole schedule.

Q: What workouts or stretches do you do to stay so flexible? And how often do you do them? Christine, 13, Houston; Laura Sigler, 14, Plymouth, MI; Stephanie Bailey, 9, Newark; Grace You, 12, San Jose, Calif.; Christopher Fernandes, 11, Hudson, N.H.; Willa Jaffe, 17, Philadelphia

A: I do lots of stretching and I run to warm up first. Exercising to stay in shape helps and nutrition is very important. It's important to put good things in your body so you feel good and perform well. All stretches are important to being flexible — splits, calves, hamstrings — everything really.

Q: How are your triple Axel and quads coming? Can you land any without a harness? Kacie Kotnik, 10, Columbus, Ind.; Lenny, 16, Suffern, N.Y., Rey Richardson, 14, Sand Diego; Rachael, 14, Seattle, Wash.

A: I don't have a triple Axel, but I've been doing the quad Salchow well without a harness. [In mid August] we started trying it without a harness.

Q: What are your future goals? Are you planning to complete at the 2006 Olympics? Katy, 14, Fort Gibson, Okla.; Kristina Myer, 13, Minnesota; Megan Sperry, 12, North Reading

A: Yes, I plan to compete in 2006. That's one of my goals and another is improving my level of skating. I've been seeing that happen with my new coach [Tatiana Tarasova].

Q: What strategies do you use to keep control of your nerves during a competition? What tips can you give aspiring skaters on conquering their own fears? Elizabeth, 17, Audubon, N.J.; Ann V., 12, Reading, Pa., Tori Beth Bell, 10, Dallas, Texas

A: As I warm up I remember what I've done in practice, and I stay with my coach and my mom. To conquer fears you need to demand more of yourself in practice so you know you can do it in competition. And remember to enjoy yourself because that's why you started skating.

Q: Do you prefer jumps or spins? What is your favorite jump, spin and footwork piece? Amanda Bower, 12, Melvindale; Cali Digre, 11, Eden Prairie, Minn.

A: I love jumping because it's a lot of fun. And my favorite spin is the layback because you can do a lot with it and it's elegant.

Q: In your skating career, who has had the most impact on your skating technique and artistic style? Who has given you unconditional support? Victoria Cai, 13, Millis

A: Right now Tatiana has a lot of impact on my skating as she teaches me to improve and polish certain moves. As far as unconditional support, it's my mom and my family.

Q: Do you have a boyfriend? Michelle, 13, Edgewater, N.J.

A: No, unfortunately they're not easy to find.

Q: Switching coaches must have been a huge change for you. What do you like about working with Tatiana, and what made you make the switch? Thea Whoolery, 15, Fergus Falls, Minn.; Dana Sudhisasanakul, 12, Silver Spring, Md.; Ashlei, 15, Wesley Chapel; heather Spoelstra, 13, Wayne, N.J.

A: I love the intensity of training with Tatiana because we get a lot done each session. She pushes me like no one has ever pushed me before.

Q: What does your daily workout, including off-ice training, contain? Alyssa, 13, Texas; Dana, 15, Minneapolis, Minn.

A: In the summer it's really intense. We do running and weights depending on the day, off-ice jumping, stretching and we skate for three hours a day. During the season it's lighter and we skate less each day.

Q: When you look back on your skating career, would you have changed anything you have done to make yourself a better skater? Denise, 13, Sugarland, Texas

A: I would have liked to have realized earlier to be more intense in my training. I realized the impact that can have. But I try not to look back and instead focus on improving myself as much as I can.

Q: What is the one thing that has pushed you to keep skating and never give up no matter how hard it gets? Alina, 15, Silver Spring, Md.

A: Getting perspective on everything and seeing what I've done helps me not give up. I try to step outside of the problem I'm having and see everything that I've done and what I want to do. That's where I get perspective on things.

Q: What are some goals you are working on for this season? Amber, 12, Naperville

A: For this season I'm working on the quad, triple-triples and just skating clean programs. It's pretty much what everyone wants.

Q: What would you do in the future to perfect yourself and your skating to skate the perfect program at important events such as Worlds? Christine, 14, Singapore

A: I'll be prepared and focus on what I have to do. I made some big steps this past season. I still have a way to go, but I'm positive about what I can do.

Q: How do you approach making a program? Do you have a storyline that you try to keep in mind during your program? Garrett, 13, Watertown, Minn.

A: I work hard to interpret the character of the music and work on getting that artistic mark.

Q: What are some of your favorite Russian foods? Becky, 11, Taiwan

A: I'm actually not a big fan of Russian food, but I do like chicken soup the way my mom makes it, and I love the cakes my grandmother makes.

Q: How long did it take you to land your double Axel, and what off-ice training did you do to help get the double Axel? McKinzie Daniels, 8, Springfield, Ill.; Ashley, 15, Nova Scotia, Canada; Janell Oudenhoven, 11, Green Bay, Wis.; Jancie, 13, San Francisco; Daniel Palmeri, 14, Chesterfield, Mich.; Andy Vaugh, 14, Colorado

A: It took almost a year for me to get the double Axel, after intermediate and before novice. I had to learn to get over my hips because I was starting the rotation too soon.