1992 Olympic Champion Kristi Yamaguchi Named Spokesperson for National Skating Month – Jan. 2007
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| Kristi Yamaguchi |
In its sixth year, National Skating Month has already set records for the 2007 event, with approximately 310 clubs and Basic Skills programs signed up to participate, and a total of 350 expected by Jan. 1. The previous record-holding year was 2006, when 304 clubs and programs participated.
“I am thrilled to be a part of National Skating Month this year,” Yamaguchi said. “Skating has always been such an important part of my life, and I know firsthand how many health and recreational benefits it can give people. It's a sport and a pastime for people of all ages, and I encourage everyone to visit their local rinks to see how they can get involved in this wonderful sport.”
As a part of National Skating Month, Yamaguchi will promote the sport of figure skating and the many life lessons the sport provides, such as dedication, hard work and the importance of health and fitness. Yamaguchi will record a series of radio public service announcements for local clubs and programs to utilize in their outreach efforts; be featured on promotional posters and postcards; record a series of “Kristi's Skating Tips” that will be featured as audio files on www.usfigureskating.org; be featured in the December issue of SKATING magazine, including a collectors' pull-out poster; and potentially make National Skating Month appearances.
“We are honored to have Kristi involved with National Skating Month this year,” U.S. Figure Skating Executive Director David Raith said. “As one of our most popular past champions, an advocate for health and fitness, and the parent of two young children, we believe Kristi is a great role model for young people everywhere and a true ambassador of our sport. Kristi is the perfect fit for National Skating Month, and we are thankful to have such an inspiring person encouraging more people to try the sport of skating.”
The goal of National Skating Month is to increase awareness of and participation in the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program presented by Marshalls. It allows U.S. Figure Skating member clubs and Basic Skills programs to reach out to new members in their community by offering the fundamentals of ice skating from professionally trained instructors across the United States.
National Skating Month activities differ from club to club, but they include free skating, free lessons and clinics, exhibitions, skating demonstrations, hockey games, storytelling, parent education, skate swap sales, fundraising sales, DJ parties at the rink and local celebrity appearances.
Over the last 15 years, U.S. Figure Skating has enjoyed consistent growth through programs that provide opportunities for all ages. During the 2001-2002 season, U.S. Figure Skating's Basic Skills Program reached a milestone by registering more than 100,000 members for the first time in the program's history. During the 2005-2006 season, membership in Basic Skills soared 41 percent, with more than 130,000 signing up to learn to skate. Since its inception in 1985, the program has taught more than 1.5 million people ranging in age from 3-93 how to skate. The program offers people of all ages the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of ice skating from professionally trained instructors across the United States.
Yamaguchi and her family symbolize the all-American skating household. In addition to her Olympic gold medal, Yamaguchi is the 1991 and 1992 World champion, and she won the U.S. title in 1992. Her husband is Bret Hedican of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, and he is proud to have been a part of the 2006 Stanley Cup winning team. They plan to teach their two young daughters, Keara and Emma, how to skate to pass along the benefits and enjoyment of ice sports.
Past National Skating Month spokespeople include 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes (2002) and two-time World medalist Michael Weiss (2003).
