Michael Weiss Makes a Difference On and Off the Ice

Michael Weiss Photo by Paul Harvath

Reigning U.S. silver medalist Michael Weiss was in Minnesota to perform in an exhibition. While he was there, he got a chance to see the movie “Miracle” - the Disney account of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's miracle run to the gold medal in Lake Placid.

“One thing that stood out for me was when the coach (Herb Brooks) told the U.S. team that the Russians could beat them nine times out of 10,” Weiss said. “But, the coach added, ‘Tonight's that one time out of 10.'”

Brooks turned out to be right. His young American squad pulled off one of the biggest upsets by beating a seemingly invincible Russian team and ultimately winning the gold.

“It was very inspiring to me,” Weiss said. “I thought about how that works in figure skating, too. A skater might beat you nine times out of 10 but all you need is that one time to win.”

Weiss is competing in the World Championships, which began Monday in Dortmund, Germany, for the seventh time. Twice, in 1999 and 2000, he won the World bronze medal. But he hasn't finished better than fifth since.

Russia's Evgeny Plushenko, a two-time World Champion, remains the favorite for Dortmund even though he has been hampered with knee problems and finished second to France's Brian Joubert at the European Championships. Plushenko won his qualifying group Monday, while Weiss finished fifth in the same group.

Weiss has been training hard the last two months preparing for this week's event.

“It's been a long year and I was sick at three competitions this season,” Weiss said after a practice last week at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Md., where he trains with coach Don Laws. “The last five and a half weeks, I've been training 100 percent. I've felt really good. It seems toward the end of each year I just get stronger and stronger.”

Weiss has decided not to include a quad Lutz in his free skate. He planned to attempt one at the 2004 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Atlanta but after the warm-up opted against trying one. The quad toe, and quad toe-triple toe combination, are in his plans for the free skate.

Things aren't as hectic this year in Dortmund as they were for Weiss last year when the World Championships were held in his hometown of Washington, D.C. He entered those Worlds as the U.S. champion and was the subject of numerous TV and newspaper interviews. He also told reporters that he reserved a limousine to celebrate in after he won the World Championships, something he did as part of his work with a sports psychologist who wanted him to think positively. Weiss wound up a disappointing fifth.

You might think that Weiss would rather have Worlds overseas this time around just so the event won't be quite the circus that it was for him last year. But you'd think wrong.

“I loved having it in D.C.,” he said. “If it were up to me, I'd have them here every year. I like sleeping in my own bed.”

Alas, he doesn't have that chance this year. But he has the same goals.

Since U.S. Championships, where Weiss skated conservatively - he didn't attempt any quads but still landed nine triples - he has done a few exhibitions but has mainly focused on preparing for Worlds. He spent nearly a week doing shows in Switzerland and then skated in one other show in Minnesota. Otherwise, he has been training in the mornings in Reston, Va., on his own and then working with Laws in the afternoons in Laurel.

Off the ice, he has been busy with his foundation, which this month awarded scholarships to three up-and-coming figure skaters. Daisuke Murakami, 13, of Corona, Calif., won the top scholarship, valued at $5,366. Novice champion Christine Zukowski, who trains at the University of Delaware in Newark, Del., won $2,366, and junior skater Christopher Toland of Garden Grove, Calif., was awarded $1,366.

Weiss used his own money to fund the scholarships, adding that he did so because “people who have a lot of potential should not be held back because of financial reasons.” Nearly 200 skaters applied for the scholarships.

Murakami, the U.S. novice silver medalist, wrote Weiss an essay saying that he has been wearing the same skates for the last two and a half years. His family lived on rice for a week so he could have extra lessons.

“This kid is 13 and can do a triple Lutz-triple loop,” Weiss said. “A kid who's that talented should not be wearing skates that are too small.”

Weiss also helped coordinate a free trip for Murakami to New York City, where he will be outfitted for new costumes by Weiss' personal designer Tania Bass.

Weiss added that when he performs in future exhibitions he will donate some of the proceeds to the foundation.

Weiss will not, however, perform in the Champions on Ice tour this summer. He plans on spending his summer with his family, taking several vacations. Right after Worlds, he will travel to Miami.

“I'm taking this summer off and am so looking forward to having a break,” Weiss said. “If I'm going to compete in the next Olympics, I've got to take a break.”