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With less than three weeks until the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, one of the most exciting spectacles in sports is upon us. The world is abuzz over the 17-day, 85-event whirlwind of non-stop action on the horizon.
The creme-de-la-creme will compete in 15 different extreme sporting events, including alpine skiing, bobsledding, ice hockey, ski jumping and speed skating.
Some events draw more attention than others.
When the figure skating competition begins on February 14, the world will be watching.
In the 1993 National Sports Study II, considered by the Associated Press as the largest study of spectator sport popularity in America, ladies' figure skating was the 2nd most popular spectator sport in America, just behind NFL football.
The first night of the Ladies Figure Skating competition in the 1994 Winter Olympics achieved higher TV Nielsen Ratings than that year's Super Bowl and was the most watched sports television program of all-time, to that date.
Kristi Yamaguchi, American figure skater and the 1992 Olympic Women's Singles Champion thinks the popularity of the sport stems from the elegance and movements of the competitors.
"Figure skating has a lot of different qualities.
Each skater has a personality that comes through in a performance.
I think the performances show artistry as well as athletic ability, so it appeals to audience members.
For as long as I remember, my family has huddled around the television during the Olympics to watch the figure skating competition.
The following day, we would head to the local pond to attempt the jumps, spins, lifts, and turns the Olympic skaters made look easy.
After years of practice at the pond I was able to "master" a basic outside edge spiral, but most of the time we simply mastered the art of cuts and bruises.
Next month, Kristi Yamaguchi is headed back to the Olympics, but this time as a spectator.
Eighteen years after Yamaguchi won the gold medal for her performance in the Ladies' Figure Skating competition in Albertville, France, she is heading to Vancouver as a special correspondent for the Today Show. In addition, she plans to host a show on universal sports, which will certainly provide coverage of figure skating.
Kristi was only 21-years-old when she struck Olympic Gold, on a stage in front of a world-wide audience.
"Arriving at the games is simply awe inspiring.
It's such an honor to be there, and when you witness the level of world talent you are up against, it's awe inspiring.
Talking to Kristi Yamaguchi is like talking to a close girlfriend.
Cheerful and energetic, she immediately put me at ease, and our conversation flowed.
At one point she apologized for the noise in the background.
"Sorry, that's my girls," referring to her two daughters, Keara, 6, and Emma, 4. Hearing the cheerful laughter of playtime reminds me of growing up with my little sister, also two-years younger, and makes me smile.
Now at 38-years old, Kristi's main focus is being a good mother and wife to her husband of almost 10 years, retired professional hockey player Bret Hedican.
Ironically, the couple met at the 1992 Olympics, the year she won the gold.
Upon hearing this I exclaim that she really struck gold, winning a medal and meeting the man of her dreams.
(Laughs) "I met Bret at the '92 Games, but we did not really get to know each other until we met again three years later.
Bret won the Stanley Cup when he played for the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2005 / 2006 season, with Kristi and the girls cheering him on. The couple has achieved the highest level of accomplishment in each of their respective professions, so I had to know the key to their success in both marriage and work.
"We are supportive of each other, never competitive; therefore we help each other reach our highest level of potential.
And even though they've both reached the top echelon in their profession, Kristi said the couple is always there to offer "sound advice to each other" when needed.
Kristi admits she'll experience jitters while watching her fellow athletes compete in Vancouver, especially since she understands the wave of emotions they experience.
"Skating has a unique dimension of athleticism and technicality, which brings out the personality of each individual skater.
It also allows the audience to connect to the athlete in a way no other sport can." When I ask her to elaborate she replies: "When you make a mistake in figure skating, it's noticeable.
When you are out there alone and fall on the ice, everyone see's it. It's not like other events where a misstep goes unnoticed.
As a seasoned pro in the figure skating community, Kristi is often asked by young skaters who are facing a worldwide audience for the first time for words of wisdom.
"Shut out the world.
Focus, maintain confidence, you are prepared so go out there and have fun!" Having fun is one of the things often forgotten in competitive sports, but Kristi is quick to point out the value of positive reinforcement and the affects it can have on an athletes psyche.
That's easier said than done considering that Kristi herself felt like she was on eggshells prior to her Olympic performance.
"You want everything to be as perfect as possible from the time you wake up." Kristi retired from ice skating in 1994, but her life certainly hasn't slowed down.
She is active in philanthropy and is the national the spokesperson for the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza (www.facesofinfluenza.org) program, a national educational initiative that encourages all families to make sure their loved ones are protected against the flu by getting vaccinated each year.
"When I was training for the Olympics one of the girls training with me got the flu and actually couldn't compete.
My mother made sure I got the flu shot every year after that, and now as a mother myself, I make sure my daughters are vaccinated too." Kristi joined the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza campaign to help raise awareness that the best way to help protect yourself and those you love is through an annual flu shot and considering influenza typically doesn't peak until January or February, there is still time for those who haven't gotten a flu shot yet. When I remarked over how I am still spooked over a terrible bout with the flu, over 11-years ago, that had me sick in bed for almost 2 weeks, Kristi is quick to point out the seriousness of this illness.
"Influenza and its related complications (like pneumonia, which I also have first-hand experience with) cause 36,000 deaths and over 226,000 hospitalizations in America every single year.
I admitted that I'd never realized the severity of complications, and I quickly scheduled an appointment for a flu shot after speaking to Kristi.
Almost 18-years after her Olympic win, Kristi Yamaguchi went for the gold again, but this time it involved gold lame and a disco ball trophy.
On May 20, 2008, Yamaguchi became the celebrity champion on ABC's hugely popular reality program Dancing with the Stars 6th season.
Paired with dancer Mark Ballas, the duo tangoed and two-stepped their way to victory, beating other celebrity contestants such as Grand Slam Tennis Champion Monica Seles, Academy Award and Golden Globe Award Winning Actress Marlee Matlin, NFL Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor, and Actress Priscilla Presley. Kristi went into the experience with one goal in mind: to learn as many dances as possible.
A natural competitor, winning was always on her mind, but thanks to her amazing partner and teacher, she had a fun experience, learned how to dance AND won the competition.
The intense training required for such complex dance routines requires high endurance, something Kristi is familiar with.
"I think my Olympic experience was to my benefit to prepare for Dancing with the Stars because I could apply the same work ethic and focus to the task at hand.
When I point out that she trained for the Olympics at 21-years-old and then performed on Dancing with the Stars at 38-years-old, I joked about how I assumed dance training was harder at an older age. "There is nothing like preparing for an Olympic competition!
Point taken.
Figure skating costumes incorporate a similar aesthetic to the costumes worn on Dancing with the Stars: glitzy fashions with a "wow" factor that still allow movement.
While on the show, Kristi was "very involved with the costumes and collaborated with Randall Christensen (head designer for the show)" on her stylist ensembles.
Her favorite outfit?
"I loved my red tango dress!
In fact, Kristi said she loved the glitz and glamour of the entire experience which involved hair, makeup, nails.
While on the topic of fashion, I had to know if she picked up any beauty tricks while on the show.
"The makeup artist on 'Dancing with the Stars' got me hooked on Giorgio Armani foundation thanks to its flawless coverage.
Being a mom on the run, her daily beauty staple is Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and she saves the Armani foundation for events.
When I remarked on how she always looks so fresh and polished she joked, "You should see me without makeup.
Somehow I doubt she would look anything other than stunning.
As a spokesperson for Nicole by OPI, Kristi's favorite nail polish color is "Enchantress," a bright pink.
Her daughters also enjoy the perks of having such a fashionable mother and love having their nails painted with "Love You Life" by Nicole by OPI, clear with glitter and heart shapes.
So what's next for Kristi after the "3 week marathon" that is the Olympics?
On Friday March 19th at 8pm ET and Sunday March 21st at 7pm ET on ABC, Kristi, along with two-time Olympic gold medalist and the voice of figure skating on American television for 45 years, Dick Button, will judge the world's greatest pro figure skaters in "Thin Ice". The new competitive reality show, which will air over two nights this March, will put 12 of "the world's greatest pro figure skaters" head to head to compete live in two-minute routines on the ice. The entire judging criteria are summarized in two words-entertain us. The show will run over two days in March 2010 and will be co-hosted by Emmy award winning talk show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Kurt Browning, four-time world champion Canadian figure skater.
--CHRISSY DOOLEY
Stars in this story:
The creme-de-la-creme will compete in 15 different extreme sporting events, including alpine skiing, bobsledding, ice hockey, ski jumping and speed skating.
Some events draw more attention than others.
When the figure skating competition begins on February 14, the world will be watching.
In the 1993 National Sports Study II, considered by the Associated Press as the largest study of spectator sport popularity in America, ladies' figure skating was the 2nd most popular spectator sport in America, just behind NFL football.
The first night of the Ladies Figure Skating competition in the 1994 Winter Olympics achieved higher TV Nielsen Ratings than that year's Super Bowl and was the most watched sports television program of all-time, to that date.
Kristi Yamaguchi, American figure skater and the 1992 Olympic Women's Singles Champion thinks the popularity of the sport stems from the elegance and movements of the competitors.
"Figure skating has a lot of different qualities.
Each skater has a personality that comes through in a performance.
I think the performances show artistry as well as athletic ability, so it appeals to audience members.
For as long as I remember, my family has huddled around the television during the Olympics to watch the figure skating competition.
The following day, we would head to the local pond to attempt the jumps, spins, lifts, and turns the Olympic skaters made look easy.
After years of practice at the pond I was able to "master" a basic outside edge spiral, but most of the time we simply mastered the art of cuts and bruises.
Next month, Kristi Yamaguchi is headed back to the Olympics, but this time as a spectator.
Eighteen years after Yamaguchi won the gold medal for her performance in the Ladies' Figure Skating competition in Albertville, France, she is heading to Vancouver as a special correspondent for the Today Show. In addition, she plans to host a show on universal sports, which will certainly provide coverage of figure skating.
Kristi was only 21-years-old when she struck Olympic Gold, on a stage in front of a world-wide audience.
"Arriving at the games is simply awe inspiring.
It's such an honor to be there, and when you witness the level of world talent you are up against, it's awe inspiring.
Talking to Kristi Yamaguchi is like talking to a close girlfriend.
Cheerful and energetic, she immediately put me at ease, and our conversation flowed.
At one point she apologized for the noise in the background.
"Sorry, that's my girls," referring to her two daughters, Keara, 6, and Emma, 4. Hearing the cheerful laughter of playtime reminds me of growing up with my little sister, also two-years younger, and makes me smile.
Now at 38-years old, Kristi's main focus is being a good mother and wife to her husband of almost 10 years, retired professional hockey player Bret Hedican.
Ironically, the couple met at the 1992 Olympics, the year she won the gold.
Upon hearing this I exclaim that she really struck gold, winning a medal and meeting the man of her dreams.
(Laughs) "I met Bret at the '92 Games, but we did not really get to know each other until we met again three years later.
Bret won the Stanley Cup when he played for the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2005 / 2006 season, with Kristi and the girls cheering him on. The couple has achieved the highest level of accomplishment in each of their respective professions, so I had to know the key to their success in both marriage and work.
"We are supportive of each other, never competitive; therefore we help each other reach our highest level of potential.
And even though they've both reached the top echelon in their profession, Kristi said the couple is always there to offer "sound advice to each other" when needed.
Kristi admits she'll experience jitters while watching her fellow athletes compete in Vancouver, especially since she understands the wave of emotions they experience.
"Skating has a unique dimension of athleticism and technicality, which brings out the personality of each individual skater.
It also allows the audience to connect to the athlete in a way no other sport can." When I ask her to elaborate she replies: "When you make a mistake in figure skating, it's noticeable.
When you are out there alone and fall on the ice, everyone see's it. It's not like other events where a misstep goes unnoticed.
As a seasoned pro in the figure skating community, Kristi is often asked by young skaters who are facing a worldwide audience for the first time for words of wisdom.
"Shut out the world.
Focus, maintain confidence, you are prepared so go out there and have fun!" Having fun is one of the things often forgotten in competitive sports, but Kristi is quick to point out the value of positive reinforcement and the affects it can have on an athletes psyche.
That's easier said than done considering that Kristi herself felt like she was on eggshells prior to her Olympic performance.
"You want everything to be as perfect as possible from the time you wake up." Kristi retired from ice skating in 1994, but her life certainly hasn't slowed down.
She is active in philanthropy and is the national the spokesperson for the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza (www.facesofinfluenza.org) program, a national educational initiative that encourages all families to make sure their loved ones are protected against the flu by getting vaccinated each year.
"When I was training for the Olympics one of the girls training with me got the flu and actually couldn't compete.
My mother made sure I got the flu shot every year after that, and now as a mother myself, I make sure my daughters are vaccinated too." Kristi joined the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza campaign to help raise awareness that the best way to help protect yourself and those you love is through an annual flu shot and considering influenza typically doesn't peak until January or February, there is still time for those who haven't gotten a flu shot yet. When I remarked over how I am still spooked over a terrible bout with the flu, over 11-years ago, that had me sick in bed for almost 2 weeks, Kristi is quick to point out the seriousness of this illness.
"Influenza and its related complications (like pneumonia, which I also have first-hand experience with) cause 36,000 deaths and over 226,000 hospitalizations in America every single year.
I admitted that I'd never realized the severity of complications, and I quickly scheduled an appointment for a flu shot after speaking to Kristi.
Almost 18-years after her Olympic win, Kristi Yamaguchi went for the gold again, but this time it involved gold lame and a disco ball trophy.
On May 20, 2008, Yamaguchi became the celebrity champion on ABC's hugely popular reality program Dancing with the Stars 6th season.
Paired with dancer Mark Ballas, the duo tangoed and two-stepped their way to victory, beating other celebrity contestants such as Grand Slam Tennis Champion Monica Seles, Academy Award and Golden Globe Award Winning Actress Marlee Matlin, NFL Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor, and Actress Priscilla Presley. Kristi went into the experience with one goal in mind: to learn as many dances as possible.
A natural competitor, winning was always on her mind, but thanks to her amazing partner and teacher, she had a fun experience, learned how to dance AND won the competition.
The intense training required for such complex dance routines requires high endurance, something Kristi is familiar with.
"I think my Olympic experience was to my benefit to prepare for Dancing with the Stars because I could apply the same work ethic and focus to the task at hand.
When I point out that she trained for the Olympics at 21-years-old and then performed on Dancing with the Stars at 38-years-old, I joked about how I assumed dance training was harder at an older age. "There is nothing like preparing for an Olympic competition!
Point taken.
Figure skating costumes incorporate a similar aesthetic to the costumes worn on Dancing with the Stars: glitzy fashions with a "wow" factor that still allow movement.
While on the show, Kristi was "very involved with the costumes and collaborated with Randall Christensen (head designer for the show)" on her stylist ensembles.
Her favorite outfit?
"I loved my red tango dress!
In fact, Kristi said she loved the glitz and glamour of the entire experience which involved hair, makeup, nails.
While on the topic of fashion, I had to know if she picked up any beauty tricks while on the show.
"The makeup artist on 'Dancing with the Stars' got me hooked on Giorgio Armani foundation thanks to its flawless coverage.
Being a mom on the run, her daily beauty staple is Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and she saves the Armani foundation for events.
When I remarked on how she always looks so fresh and polished she joked, "You should see me without makeup.
Somehow I doubt she would look anything other than stunning.
As a spokesperson for Nicole by OPI, Kristi's favorite nail polish color is "Enchantress," a bright pink.
Her daughters also enjoy the perks of having such a fashionable mother and love having their nails painted with "Love You Life" by Nicole by OPI, clear with glitter and heart shapes.
So what's next for Kristi after the "3 week marathon" that is the Olympics?
On Friday March 19th at 8pm ET and Sunday March 21st at 7pm ET on ABC, Kristi, along with two-time Olympic gold medalist and the voice of figure skating on American television for 45 years, Dick Button, will judge the world's greatest pro figure skaters in "Thin Ice". The new competitive reality show, which will air over two nights this March, will put 12 of "the world's greatest pro figure skaters" head to head to compete live in two-minute routines on the ice. The entire judging criteria are summarized in two words-entertain us. The show will run over two days in March 2010 and will be co-hosted by Emmy award winning talk show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Kurt Browning, four-time world champion Canadian figure skater.
--CHRISSY DOOLEY
Stars in this story:
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