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KIDS' QUESTIONS

January 2001

1996 World champion Todd Eldredge meets the kids' press. The response to Kids' Questions continues to be impressive, so keep those questions and photos coming every month.

Todd Eldredge

Q: What are the pros and cons of coming back to the eligible ranks full-time? Was it a tough decision? Robby Flynn, Beverly, Mass. and Arielle Gottlieb, 14, Cleveland, Ohio

A: I would say the pros of coming back to the eligible competitions are the excitement of the competitions themselves and the thrill of doing great performances under that pressure. The only con about it would be the training is a bit tougher. The decision to come back wasn't all that difficult, because I knew that I wanted to try to have a much better performance at the Olympics.

Q: Were you always a great spinner or did you have to work on it? What are your secrets to great spinning? Ashleigh Cahn, 12, Santa Monica, Calif. and Randi Jo Dault, 6, St. Johns, Mich.

A: I wasn't always a great spinner, but after competing against Scott Davis, who had great spins, I knew I had to work on mine to get them faster. I don't normally give away my secrets about my spins, because if I did my competitors could make theirs better, and we can't have that!

Q: Sometimes I have trouble staying motivated to keep skating. How do you keep motivated to learn new things and work hard? Rachel Johnstone, 15, Olympia, Wash.

A: The things that keep me motivated are the fact that I can learn new things all the time and the goal that I have set for myself of competing in Salt Lake City for the Olympics. I think in order to keep things fresh and interesting you need to set goals, both short term and long term, and try to achieve them along the way.

Q: What would you recommend for everyone to do to get in perfect shape for a competition? What is the basic training week for you? Leanne Sturt, 13, West Chester, Pa.

A: The basic training week for me is four hours a day, six days a week. I think the best way to get in good shape for competitions is to train hard, but also to train smart. When I say smart, I mean doing run-throughs of your programs and making the run-throughs better each time.

Q: Would you like to have a skating move like a jump or a spin named after you? If so, what would it be? Marcus Gursch, 13, Tours, France

A: I think it would be cool to have something named after me, but I haven't come up with anything yet.

Q: What can I do to increase my jump height at my age? Should I begin doing some weight training? Patrick Mays, 11, Lake Ridge, Va.

A: I think weight training is something to do in moderation, especially for someone as young as you are. If you do too much of it while your body is still growing you can risk being injured too much. I personally think that trying to learn how to do some of your jumps off the ice on the floor is a great way to start, because you're teaching your body the same technique and timing that you'll need on the ice.

Q: Now that most male skaters think it's a must to do at least one quad in their program, do you think that people are not paying as much attention to artistry as they should? Hillary Swiss, 11½, Ft. Collins, Colo.

A: I think that in order to be a complete skater you need to work on both the jumps and artistry equally. I think it is important for our sport to grow technically, but on the other hand, don't lose what is the most beautiful part of skating and that is edge quality and artistry. I think that is what sets our sport apart from a lot of other sports.

Q: When does pressure affect you the most on the ice? Grant Hochstein, 10, Chesterfield, Mich.

A: Pressure actually affects me more before I even step on the ice. It's the waiting around backstage that is more nerve-wracking than the actual skating itself. I think when you get on the ice that is where you feel most at home and most comfortable, because you're doing the things that you've practiced a million times.

Q: How do you plan to make your quad consistent? How do you feel now that you have landed the quad in competition? Relieved? Nick Santillo, 15, Delray Beach, Fla.; Alena Laput, 12, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Victoria Cai, 10, Millis, Mass.

A: First of all it feels great to have done a quad in competition. There were a lot of people who didn't think I could do it, so when I did, it was definitely a relief. I think the most important thing for me to do in getting my quad more consistent is to make sure I do them -- when I mean to -- more often in practice.

Q: Like you, I am a reverse skater. Do you have any tips for avoiding accidents when setting up for jumps on crowded sessions? Kayla Grayson, 9, Arlington Heights, Ill.

A: Being a reverse jumper has its advantages and its disadvantages. The disadvantage is always going against the flow of traffic on the ice. I think the best way to try to alleviate some problems is to always watch for the other skaters, but when you get the opportunity to get a jump in you have to make it count. Another thing you can try doing is working on ways to set up your jumps so you can go with the flow of traffic.

Q: During televised competitions, I see you getting along well with the other skaters. Do you have any good friends that are skaters as well? Who are they? Marilou Krinstch, 14, St. Paul, Minn.

A: Most of the skaters get along quite well when we are off the ice. Most of the time televised competitions catch us when we are concentrating so we may look like enemies, but we all get along. My personal best friends in skating are Todd Sand and Steven Cousins, but I would need another page to list everyone that I'm friends with.

Q: When you are in competition and you see the people ahead of you skate and you know you don't have any chance to win, how do you manage to go out on the ice and smile and do your best? Kelly and Ashley Foy, 14 and 10, Simsbury, Conn.

A: Well normally I don't watch the other skaters before me, but sometimes I can hear their marks. Even if I hear their marks and they are great, I have never skated after someone who has gotten all 6.0's, so I never think that I don't have a chance to win. If I thought that, I probably would not perform to my best ability.

Q: I know you have been frustrated about not winning an Olympic medal. How do you plan on winning one? Angie Maniaci, Batavia, N.Y.

A: I am disappointed that I haven't won an Olympic medal, so I have been training really hard and hopefully I can make the team in 2002 and try to do my best to rectify that. If I don't win an Olympic medal, it will not be the end of the world, but it would be nice to add to my collection of accomplishments.

Q: Do you think it was unfair that you had to compete at Midwestern Sectionals in order to qualify for the U.S. Championships this year? Christina Jaszewskarina, 14

A: No, I don't think that it was unfair to me. The USFSA rules state that if you were not in the top three at the previous year's U.S. Championships then you have to qualify the next year, unless you receive a bye for an international competition or an injury.

Q: Which skater, from any time, do you admire most? Sarah Jesperson, 15, Miami, Fla.

A: There are so many skaters that I admire for different reasons, but if I had to pick just one skater I would have to say Scott Hamilton. To me, he exemplifies the true meaning of the word "Champion." He is a great skater, but on top of that, he is a great person on and off the ice.

Q: You've skated in tons of competitions in your career. Which one has been your favorite and why? Heather Melenex, 15, Cleveland, Ohio

A: I would have to say my all-time favorite competition was the '96 Worlds -- not just because I won, but because I skated my best performance at the time against other guys who skated their best.

Q: How do you choose your music for a new program? What has been your favorite? Laura Wurtzel, 18, Freehold, N.J.

A: Music is so important. If you hear a piece of music that you like, it will show in your ability to skate to it. If you feel the music and you skate from your heart, the audience will usually enjoy your performance more. I listen to a lot of different types of music, especially movie soundtracks and musicals because they generally have great music. It's a toss-up for my favorite, but it is between my Andrea Bocelli program and my "Glory" program.