1 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: The twenty twenty six Winter Olympics are in full swing, 2 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:09,799 Speaker 1: and in a few days I am heading to Milan, 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: Italy to commentate the women's figure skating short program with 4 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,800 Speaker 1: my friend Snoop Dogg. I want to get a real 5 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 1: look at all that goes on behind the scenes of 6 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:22,680 Speaker 1: this demanding sport, so I've asked Johnny Weir to join 7 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:25,680 Speaker 1: me on my podcast today. Johnny is a two time 8 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: Olympian and NBC's lead figure skating correspondent. Welcome to my podcast, Johnny. 9 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for having me, and thank you 10 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:36,879 Speaker 2: for all you've done for the Olympics. And I have 11 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 2: to say as we start, as a young person watching 12 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 2: your show made me feel like I needed to elevate, 13 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 2: so I thank you very much for that. 14 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 3: Oh nice. 15 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 1: You are so informative, and you're going to teach me 16 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: all the things I have to have in my brain 17 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 1: so that I can say sensible and accurate things about 18 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: the programs that we are going to talk about. 19 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 2: So is snoopkokle to Tara or is the goal here 20 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 2: that you will end up being far more informed? 21 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:06,679 Speaker 3: Well, of course, of course. 22 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 1: The latter, But Snoop says everything in such a delightful 23 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: manner that you don't know if he knows what he's 24 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 1: talking about or doesn't know what he's talking about, and snoop, 25 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 1: he knows a lot. He's an amazing sports person. He 26 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: loves all sports and he really appreciates the athletes, as 27 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: I do too. I mean, I can't believe what you 28 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 1: guys can do. I mean, I can ice skate, but 29 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 1: I have never done anything resembling figure skating. It's just 30 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:37,759 Speaker 1: an incredible sport. I really admire the effort and the 31 00:01:37,840 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 1: practice and the nerve it takes to be a figure 32 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: skater in today's world. 33 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 2: You you do have your sparkles, so I mean, you're 34 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 2: halfway there. 35 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: And I know designers who design much of the clothing 36 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: on the ice, and we're there too, but not in 37 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: those skates. By the way, are the skates different today 38 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: than they were twenty years ago? 39 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 2: I don't know if there's so different than they were 40 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,120 Speaker 2: twenty years ago, but certainly much different than they were 41 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 2: in the early nineteen hundreds. Back then, there was no 42 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:09,080 Speaker 2: support at all. It was basically a regular boot, almost 43 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 2: slipper like in terms of how flimsy it is just 44 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:15,160 Speaker 2: attached to at the beginning, it was whalebone when skating 45 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 2: started in Holland. Wow, whalebone is what they skated on, 46 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 2: and then eventually it turned into a blade, and then 47 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 2: a stainless steel blade, which we still use today. Figure 48 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:27,400 Speaker 2: skating is a very traditional sport, so we like to 49 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 2: hold on to our traditions, and no one's really established 50 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 2: a new kind of blade. And then the boots are 51 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 2: just they're very strong. When you first get a pair 52 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 2: of boots, it's very much like a ski boot and 53 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 2: how stiff they are and how compressing they are. But eventually, 54 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:45,600 Speaker 2: over time, if especially if your boots are leather, some 55 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 2: people have more man made fabrics and materials that make 56 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:51,919 Speaker 2: up their skates, but I always use leather. So they 57 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 2: did start to mold to your foot and it became 58 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 2: very much like a pair of slippers by the end 59 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 2: of the season. And usually skaters have one pair of 60 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 2: boots and blades for season, and they became kind of 61 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 2: your best friend and your worst enemy at the same time. 62 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 2: And then all of a sudden you have to break 63 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 2: in a brand new paragain. 64 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 3: Wow wow. 65 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 2: But I'd say the best comparison I can make is 66 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,920 Speaker 2: figure skates are quite similar to how you see ballet 67 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 2: dancers treating their point shoes and how they kind of 68 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 2: have to break them down and mold them to be 69 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 2: able to really dance in them. 70 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 1: I looked at my skates the other day just because 71 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 1: I'm because I'm doing this, and they were I'm not, 72 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 1: They're not. They're not my best friends. I ruptured my 73 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 1: achilles tendon four and a half years ago. Yeah, so 74 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: ice skating is not really a sport for me any longer. Really, 75 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: But I can walk, but I don't think I can 76 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: skate really well anymore. And they looked at those ice 77 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 1: skates and it's really incredible that you can put your 78 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: whole body onto narrow blades and do the things that 79 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 1: you do. And the champions this year are going to 80 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 1: be doing I've been watching some of the trials that 81 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 1: have been televised in the last few weeks, and boy, 82 00:04:01,320 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 1: oh boy, it looks even more incredible than when you 83 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: were competing. Has it changed, It absolutely has. I mean 84 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: every sport evolves. It's the same as fashion, it's the 85 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: same as music. There's very much an idea in any 86 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: sport of keeping up with the joneses and trying to 87 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:21,599 Speaker 1: be as good as the person that's the best in 88 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,559 Speaker 1: the world, and because the talent is so high now 89 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 1: the skaters are all trying to keep up with skaters 90 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:31,839 Speaker 1: that have such a talent that we never thought we'd see. 91 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 1: In the men's event, there's Iliam Mallinin who's doing quadruple 92 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 1: jumps that I never thought were possible. And the women's event, 93 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: the level of consistency and grace and beauty is tremendous, 94 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 1: plus the technical difficulty, and every sport's quite different in 95 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:47,279 Speaker 1: the way that you prepare your body. Body types for 96 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: different sports are all, of course very different. Figure skaters 97 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:54,919 Speaker 1: look really different than Alignebacker or Michael Phelps, and training 98 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: yourself and the mental fortitude it takes to live that 99 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:01,479 Speaker 1: life is so hard, but the result is just the 100 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: most beautiful, artistic sport in the world, and it's amazing 101 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 1: what they're doing now. It is incredible. Well, you're going 102 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:11,480 Speaker 1: to be commentating with Cheryl Lipinski. How did you guys 103 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: begin working together as a broadcast team. 104 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 2: Well, Tara and I, despite being quite close in age, 105 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: were in different generations on the ice, so I had 106 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:23,559 Speaker 2: just started to skate. I started when I was twelve, 107 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:26,040 Speaker 2: which is quite late. And she had already won the 108 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 2: Olympics when she was fifteen, so she was already a 109 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: professional doing ice shows and tours all over the world, 110 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 2: while I was just sort of rising in the sport. 111 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,919 Speaker 2: And we knew of each other but never really met 112 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 2: or knew each other. And we had a couple of 113 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 2: moments where we worked together before we really started commentating together. 114 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: And then I was set to commentate for all of 115 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 2: the men's events and she was set to commentate all 116 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 2: of the women's events, and one night in Stamford, where 117 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 2: NBC Sports is, of course, we were sitting waiting for 118 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 2: work to start and we were talking about Selene handbags 119 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,040 Speaker 2: of all things, and of immediately felt like we'd found 120 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 2: our person, and we asked to have a trial where 121 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 2: we would commentate an event together, and it went so 122 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 2: well and we both enjoyed it so much, which is 123 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 2: its rare from two individual figure skaters who are used 124 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 2: to a very judgmental and cut throat world to trust. 125 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 3: Someone, let alone share your spotlight. 126 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 2: With somebody, And we just immediately felt so comfortable that 127 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 2: it seemed like a no brainer for us to continue 128 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 2: forward together. And then our first Olympics was in twenty 129 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 2: fourteen together where was that in Sochi, Russia? And we 130 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 2: bonded so quickly because we had the afternoon show, we 131 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 2: were the live show during the day. We weren't the 132 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 2: primetime team yet, and there was a blizzard on the 133 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 2: East Coast, so so many people tuned in because they 134 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:47,680 Speaker 2: were off school or home from work, whatever the case 135 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 2: may be. And we didn't even realize what was going 136 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,679 Speaker 2: on back in the States because we were so focused 137 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 2: on doing our best at our first Olympics as a 138 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 2: commentary duo that we had no idea the ground twelve 139 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 2: support that we had here and it's led to this 140 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 2: most wonderful career that I get to share with my 141 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: best friend and make I feel so lucky. And I 142 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 2: hope that you have a similar situation with Snoop where 143 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 2: you just go and climb are knowing that you're doing 144 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 2: something beautiful with your best friend. 145 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:15,680 Speaker 1: Oh yes, So let's start from the beginning. This is 146 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: what are the categories of competitive skating. 147 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 2: Okay, so we've got men's individual competition, we call them 148 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 2: men's singles. So that's where gold medal favorite in the 149 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 2: United States, Ilium Malinin will will be competing. Then we 150 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 2: have women's individual competition, which is women's singles to the skaters, 151 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 2: so women's singles, men's singles. Then there's pair skating, which 152 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 2: is a man and a woman skating together. The man 153 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 2: lifts the woman over his head, tosses her across the ice. 154 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 2: They jump side by side, they do parallel spins, things 155 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 2: like that. And then there's ice dancing, which is a 156 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 2: man and a woman dancing together to kind of mimic 157 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 2: ballroom dance. It's the newest of skating disciplines is ice dance. 158 00:07:58,600 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 2: I think, I think that's correct. 159 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:03,240 Speaker 1: Oh it's quite elaborate too. I mean the steps and 160 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: the speed with which they. 161 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 2: Dance, Oh yeah, And I mean it can come down 162 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 2: an ice dance to an edge, so every blade has 163 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: an inside and an outside edge, as you know since 164 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 2: you're a skater. But the ice dancing gold medal can 165 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 2: come down to one edge. Whereas in the singles disciplines 166 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 2: or in pairs, it can be a fall, a very 167 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:24,880 Speaker 2: visible mistake that can decide gold from silver, but an 168 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 2: ice dance it can literally be a slow mo angle 169 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 2: of one edge that comes down to an eyelash. 170 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 3: That's how close the competitive those teams are Wow, Will 171 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 3: you ever be a judge? Do you think? 172 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 1: No? 173 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:40,199 Speaker 2: I wouldn't want to do that. I think I'm judgmental 174 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 2: enough as a commentator. I don't know what i'd be 175 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 2: like as a judge. 176 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:47,320 Speaker 1: So what's the difference between the short program and the 177 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 1: free skate? 178 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 2: Well, the short program has required elements you have to do. 179 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 2: In the singles disciplines, you have to do an axle jump, 180 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,839 Speaker 2: which is the only jump that takes off going forward, 181 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:01,439 Speaker 2: and only in one case have we ever seen a 182 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 2: quadruple axle in the short program. But America's Amber Glen 183 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 2: and the women's discipline will attempt to triple axles three 184 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 2: and a half revolutions. 185 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 1: Oh boy, has she shown that jump already to us? 186 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:12,439 Speaker 3: Oh? 187 00:09:12,520 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 2: Yes she has, so it looks very good, very strong. 188 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,679 Speaker 2: She just used it on wraps her third straight US title. 189 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:21,040 Speaker 2: But the short program has required elements, and it's shorter, 190 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 2: obviously it's two minutes and fifty seconds. Free skate is 191 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 2: more free. With the elements, you don't have to do 192 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 2: particular things. There are seven jumping passes that you can 193 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,960 Speaker 2: choose which ones you want to do. There are three spins, 194 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 2: a step sequence which is to show up your skating 195 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 2: skills and how well that you can do is sort 196 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 2: of the foundational work and the foundational turns in skating 197 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 2: and a quoreo sequence choreographic sequence where you do the 198 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 2: beautiful moments, the spirals, the arrow desques, the spread eagles, 199 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 2: the ina bauers, things like that, and it comes all 200 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:56,959 Speaker 2: together to twelve elements. That's your technical score that all 201 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 2: of those elements build up tour and then the old 202 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 2: artistic score is now broken down into three categories and 203 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 2: the judges give a score from this is getting very 204 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 2: in the weeds, but the score for the artistry is 205 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:12,560 Speaker 2: three different criteria, three different scores, and it's between one 206 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:16,360 Speaker 2: for terrible and ten for perfect, and each judge gives 207 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 2: their own individual score. So skating judging is pretty outrageous 208 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 2: and how detail oriented it is and how so subjective, 209 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 2: yet generally the cream will always rise to the top. 210 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 2: And the judging system that we have now you may 211 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 2: remember from that old system with the six point zero 212 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 2: was the perfect score, and each judge gave two scores. 213 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 2: It was so limited and it was very easy to 214 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 2: get very political because it is humans judging humans. 215 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: Oh, and the screaming and the screaming that went on. 216 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: I remember I went to the Nagano Olympics. That was interesting, wonderful. 217 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 1: So which do you prefer as a skater? I always 218 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: liked the short program because the exertion was still extreme, 219 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,199 Speaker 1: but it was a sprint more than a marathon. They've 220 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: done lots of studies and the free skate it's very 221 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 1: similar to what you would put out to run a 222 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: very long distance race. Plus and figure skating, we aren't 223 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:09,439 Speaker 1: allowed to sweat or look like we're breathing hard. 224 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:11,079 Speaker 3: It has to look effortless. 225 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 2: And perfect and like anyone could do it. 226 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 3: Is that a rule? Don't sweat? 227 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 2: It's not a proper rule, but it's best if you 228 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 2: don't sweat and look like you call off the ice. 229 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 1: I remember when judges would hold up their scores on cards. 230 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 1: How does the scoring work now? And why did it change? 231 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 2: The big reason for change was for fairness, because everyone, 232 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:35,080 Speaker 2: no matter if you're a new skating fan and an 233 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:38,199 Speaker 2: old skating fan, you've heard the term the Russian judge. 234 00:11:38,559 --> 00:11:42,040 Speaker 2: So skating was and is still political, but it was 235 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 2: even more so back then. 236 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 1: Oh I remember the fights and the screaming and the 237 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:49,439 Speaker 1: oh my gosh, the booing. 238 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 2: The booing, I mean booing still does happen, But essentially 239 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:57,200 Speaker 2: they wanted to try to find a way to make 240 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 2: skating more than and just one score from one person. 241 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 2: They wanted to make sure that every element was taken 242 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 2: into account and a big trigger for that was at 243 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 2: the two thousand and two Olympics in Salt Lake City, 244 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 2: they awarded two gold medals in the pairs competition because 245 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 2: they found that there was cheating in the judging, basically 246 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:22,559 Speaker 2: judges trading boats. Yes, so that was definitely a dark 247 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:25,440 Speaker 2: moment for figure skating, but they tried their best to 248 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 2: pull us out of it. What year was that two 249 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:29,199 Speaker 2: thousand and two in Salt Lake City? It was a 250 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 2: Russian initially given the gold medal. Many thought that the 251 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 2: Canadian team was better, so they ended up giving two 252 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 2: gold medals to the Russians and to the Canadians because 253 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 2: that was the fairest way they could see to end 254 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 2: that squabble. But it still sits in a lot of 255 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 2: our hearts because it did change our sport irrevocably. And 256 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 2: they changed the scoring system from just each of the 257 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 2: nine judges giving two scores to every element having a 258 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:58,320 Speaker 2: specific value, so every jump or spin that you see 259 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:03,079 Speaker 2: has a base value its dollar amount essentially, and depending 260 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 2: on how well or poorly you perform that one element, 261 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 2: the judges can increase the score by giving you a 262 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:12,800 Speaker 2: great grade of execution how well you perform it. If 263 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:15,079 Speaker 2: you fall, of course, you get a negative grade of 264 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:17,920 Speaker 2: execution for that element. And by the end of those 265 00:13:17,960 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 2: twelve elements in a free skate, for example, it all 266 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 2: adds up to a cumulative total. So if you make 267 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,800 Speaker 2: a mistake, it isn't completely the end of your performance 268 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:30,720 Speaker 2: because you can build up those points you lost by 269 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:32,000 Speaker 2: doing other elements well. 270 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 3: But a fall is at the end. 271 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 2: For the Olympic level of fall will definitely keep you 272 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,600 Speaker 2: off the podium because there still is that ideal of 273 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 2: perfection in figure skating. You want the person winning the 274 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,480 Speaker 2: gold medal to have skated perfectly right. 275 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 1: How many individual moves are there in figure. 276 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 2: Skating, I don't even know if there's a specific number. 277 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 2: There's all kinds of skating skills, which are basically when 278 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 2: you're not jumping or spinning, skating skill. So something as 279 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 2: simple as something called a crossover, that's our version of walking. 280 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:08,560 Speaker 2: That's how we get from here to there that's a skill, 281 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 2: just the same as a quadruple axle is a skill. 282 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 2: And there's always invention. People are now allowed to do 283 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 2: backflips in skating competition, which was banned for a very 284 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 2: long time. And they're constantly trying to introduce new elements 285 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 2: and new skills so that skating doesn't get stagnant, and 286 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 2: it's not kind of a skatosaurus and there's always something 287 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 2: new and fresh to look at skatosaurus. 288 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 1: But I was watching the dancing the other night and boy, 289 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 1: I mean there's stuff that I've never seen before. Oh 290 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: my gosh. 291 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:43,360 Speaker 2: Well, yes, and the ice ants is very interesting because 292 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 2: they don't have the jumps or the throws or the 293 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 2: lifts that go over the head, so you have to 294 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 2: differentiate yourself in a multitude of other ways, and many 295 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 2: times it's just as simple as being better basic skaters 296 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 2: than the person who comes in second. But also something 297 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 2: to look forward to for p people and for you 298 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 2: when you're over in Milan is for the Rhythm Dance, 299 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 2: their version of the short program. It has a prescribed 300 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 2: style and this year it's nineties music. Oh so you 301 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 2: see everything from a radio head to the Spice Girls, 302 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 2: which makes it very exciting. 303 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:27,239 Speaker 1: Wow, yeah, it's going to be very fun. What individual 304 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:32,800 Speaker 1: move is most dangerous? And figure skating, it's all pretty dangerous. 305 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 2: You throw a person on two steak knives and have 306 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 2: them glide around on a giant ice cube, it's all 307 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 2: pretty dangerous, but definitely in the pair's discipline. They're kind 308 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 2: of our Dare Devils. They're the X Games of figure skating, 309 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 2: and they do so many difficult overhead lifts and if 310 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 2: the man catches one edge while the woman's above his head, 311 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 2: they both go down Roe jumps, or the woman is 312 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 2: flying all the way across the ice landing with three 313 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 2: hundred for body weight on one skinny blade. I mean, 314 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:07,640 Speaker 2: it's treacherous, but with training and with time, you fall 315 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 2: a million times so that you can land that one beautiful, 316 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 2: perfect element. The bruises and the tears and the blood 317 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 2: and the sweat, we all wear those with honor because 318 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 2: it's what it takes to go to the Olympics. I 319 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 2: feel like there are so many people that look at 320 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 2: the Olympics and they're casual fans of the Olympics, and 321 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:30,920 Speaker 2: they watch every four years and they see the final product. 322 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 2: They don't see skaters for example, skating on Christmas Day 323 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 2: and foregoing Christmas dinner and running ten marathons in one 324 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 2: day on a silent, sad and lonely ice cube in 325 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 2: a cinderblock building. That's where the work is. That's where 326 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 2: we all find our voices so that we can actually 327 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 2: show people that Olympic performance, and we wear the bruises 328 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 2: with honor. 329 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 3: I think when. 330 00:16:57,480 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: You fall on the ice, do you bruises like you 331 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:01,240 Speaker 1: fall when you're falling on earth? 332 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 3: Well, with your heart. 333 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 2: It's like Bamby, right, So Bambi didn't get bruised because 334 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 2: Bamby just kind of went full starfish and just let 335 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 2: the ice take it. 336 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 3: So if you allow the ice to let you slide 337 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:17,359 Speaker 3: across it, you're good. 338 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 2: It's the ones that hurt are when you feel like 339 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:21,960 Speaker 2: you fall straight down and it knocks the wind out 340 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:25,879 Speaker 2: of you. But most falls look worse than they actually feel. Really, 341 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:28,199 Speaker 2: that's good. Yeah, I mean, have you not fallen on 342 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 2: the ice or were we just spectacular from the front. 343 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:33,760 Speaker 1: No, I've fallen and I've also broken through the ice. 344 00:17:34,160 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 1: We skated. I grew up skating on ponds. 345 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:38,719 Speaker 3: And there was no one that has to make sure 346 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 3: you wouldn't fall through. 347 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: Well, no, I mean you go too close to an edge. 348 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:44,760 Speaker 1: They say, oh, don't go that far, don't go that far, 349 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 1: and then you crash into the water and then you 350 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 1: have to use your elbows to climb out, you know, 351 00:17:49,280 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 1: and the ice keeps breaking. 352 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:53,280 Speaker 3: That was the worst part. It was called the mudhole. 353 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:55,840 Speaker 1: And I kept breaking my with my f and finally 354 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:57,920 Speaker 1: got out and I had to walk home because it 355 00:17:58,040 --> 00:17:59,280 Speaker 1: was nobody to drive me. 356 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,160 Speaker 3: That I remember very clearly. 357 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:05,879 Speaker 2: I've only ever skated on a few wild ice surfaces, 358 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 2: and in bamf in Canada, we were shooting something. Once 359 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 2: I skated outside, but where I actually started skating, and 360 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:16,400 Speaker 2: you know, people talk about sports popularity and accessibility all 361 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 2: the time, and it was like, oh, you can always 362 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,359 Speaker 2: throw a ball down out back and kick it around 363 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 2: and you become a soccer player. But my first time 364 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:29,359 Speaker 2: skating was on a frozen cornfield in rural Pennsylvania, a 365 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 2: flooded field. Did they flooded? It wasn't flooded on purpose. 366 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,439 Speaker 2: We had just had that much snow and then there 367 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 2: was an ice surface on top of the snow. It 368 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:39,439 Speaker 2: was a proper blizzard. Like we would get back in 369 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:42,840 Speaker 2: the day, and that was the first place that I 370 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 2: stood on used flimsy ice skates and dreamed my big dream, 371 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 2: and that's where the whole thing started. So it wasn't 372 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:53,399 Speaker 2: on a fancy ice rink with a mink covered coach. 373 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,280 Speaker 2: It was standing in a cornfield in a sweatsuit. 374 00:18:57,080 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: Well, I've read a little bit about your background, and 375 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 1: you started off as an equestrian, competitive equestrian. Were you 376 00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 1: a hunter jumper? 377 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:05,480 Speaker 3: What were you? 378 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 2: I was a hunter jumper and my family we lived 379 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 2: in horse country. My father's father was well known in 380 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:16,680 Speaker 2: the area for breaking horses, and we always had connections 381 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 2: in the horse world, and I was able to take 382 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:20,959 Speaker 2: a riding at a young age and I enjoyed it 383 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 2: so much. But as soon as I started figure skating, 384 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 2: I had to make the choice because both are very 385 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:31,240 Speaker 2: financially straining for a young family, and I needed to 386 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 2: make a choice, and saying bye to my horse was 387 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:35,199 Speaker 2: one of the hardest things I think I did in 388 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 2: my younger years, and I don't regret it, and I 389 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:40,320 Speaker 2: definitely think that I made the correct choice. But as 390 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:42,439 Speaker 2: soon as I started skating, not only financially did I 391 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:45,200 Speaker 2: have to stop riding just for safety's sake? 392 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 3: Do you still ride? 393 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:50,600 Speaker 2: I have ridden very little, simply because I kind of 394 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 2: lost the feeling for it. The last time I was 395 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 2: on a horse was in England. Actually I was shooting 396 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:59,480 Speaker 2: a pilot where I was learning how to do stunt riding, 397 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:02,440 Speaker 2: really the circus riding where you jump off and jump 398 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:04,840 Speaker 2: back on, and I sprung a rib and oh boy, 399 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 2: I did miss the horse culture. And I don't know, 400 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:10,840 Speaker 2: it's something very strange, but I love not the gross 401 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:13,480 Speaker 2: parts of barns, but I miss the smell of horse, 402 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 2: how they smell in their muzzle, with the molasses and 403 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:18,560 Speaker 2: the oats. It's just like a super comforting sense. So 404 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,160 Speaker 2: I think I miss that almost more than just kind 405 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:22,159 Speaker 2: of sitting atop. 406 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:23,480 Speaker 3: A horse that does not want me to be there. 407 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:26,360 Speaker 1: I have seven horses, Oh well done. 408 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:27,119 Speaker 3: What do you have? 409 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:30,920 Speaker 1: I have Freezians, Oh beautiful? And these are trail riders. 410 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:33,920 Speaker 1: We trail ride. I live on a farm up in Bedford, 411 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 1: New York. I just rebuilt my pond in hopes of 412 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,480 Speaker 1: some days skating again and having kids come over and skate, 413 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:43,879 Speaker 1: because I have a nice large pond, not very large, 414 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:46,000 Speaker 1: but large enough to really go around and around it. 415 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:49,359 Speaker 1: Around and so someday, someday you'll have to come up 416 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: and skate on my pond. I'd love that. And then 417 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 1: you'll go on a trail ride with me through the woods. 418 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:58,159 Speaker 2: Okay, absolutely, just as long as I can flow you 419 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,680 Speaker 2: through a gorgeous wats The. 420 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:04,119 Speaker 1: US women are currently among the best female skaters in 421 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: the world. I'm so excited about this. And we have 422 00:21:07,160 --> 00:21:10,119 Speaker 1: not gotten a medal and figure skating for is it 423 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:11,159 Speaker 1: for twenty years? 424 00:21:11,960 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 2: Yes, so Terino two thousand and six, that was my 425 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:16,600 Speaker 2: first Olympic. That the last time an American woman stood 426 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 2: on the podium Sasha Cohen and she won silver medal. 427 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 3: There. 428 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:23,879 Speaker 2: Wow, But it's tremendous the level that the American women 429 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 2: are competing at. 430 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 1: And so these are Amber Glenn, Alissa lu and Isabeau Levito. 431 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 2: Yes, she's our South Jersey girl, Isobe and just from 432 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:37,800 Speaker 2: where I come from, and Tara was born in Philadelphia. 433 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 2: We have a special place in our heart for Isabeau. 434 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 2: But the three women are so different, and so many 435 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,640 Speaker 2: people are already comparing them kind of to the Powerpuff Girls. 436 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 2: I was never one who watched that cartoon, but I 437 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:48,720 Speaker 2: know of them. 438 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 1: Write that down Powerpuff Girls. We're taking notes on your 439 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:55,159 Speaker 1: talk here. So when I'm out there with Sup, well, 440 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 1: those are the powerpuff Girls, snoop, you remember those. 441 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 2: I just know that they're being compared to Powerful Girls 442 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 2: because they're so different and so unique to each other. 443 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:09,399 Speaker 2: But they're wonderful friends, which is rare in our sport. 444 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 2: And I think social media has had a big influence 445 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 2: on people being kinder and nicer in our sport to 446 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:17,040 Speaker 2: one another. But to go through them quickly. Alissa lou 447 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 2: was the youngest US national women's champion ever. I think 448 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:25,919 Speaker 2: she won when she was thirteen years old. Thirteen incredible, yeah, 449 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:28,879 Speaker 2: and it was it was not so long ago. I 450 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 2: think she's twenty one now. I have all the bios. 451 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:32,400 Speaker 2: Ages aren't my thing. 452 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 1: And she's attending UCLA. Yes, and she was an Olympian 453 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two. 454 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:41,440 Speaker 3: What did she win. She was not on the podium 455 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:42,879 Speaker 3: at that Olympics. 456 00:22:43,520 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 2: And she told me that what she loves about skating 457 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 2: now is that she doesn't feel like her whole life 458 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:51,399 Speaker 2: is on the line. And when you're a young skater, 459 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:53,439 Speaker 2: a young athlete, you do feel that way. You go 460 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:55,639 Speaker 2: onto the ice and you feel like everything your worth 461 00:22:56,359 --> 00:22:58,480 Speaker 2: is coming down to this next four minutes. But she 462 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 2: actually stepped away from company after that Olympic season, and 463 00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 2: she just one day, all of a sudden, decided to 464 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:08,600 Speaker 2: come back and she had to find her skates. They 465 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:10,320 Speaker 2: were very deep in a closet that she was on 466 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:13,080 Speaker 2: a ski trip with friends, and she had stepped into 467 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,040 Speaker 2: having a normal life, if I can call it that, 468 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:18,840 Speaker 2: because most athletes at an elite level don't have what 469 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:22,080 Speaker 2: people would consider a normal life, And she came back 470 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:26,000 Speaker 2: into it last season, and she went from zero to 471 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:30,240 Speaker 2: world champion in just a few months. So that's any 472 00:23:30,280 --> 00:23:32,919 Speaker 2: testament to the amount of talent that she has. I 473 00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:35,080 Speaker 2: think that's the beautiful story. And she's one of these 474 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:42,280 Speaker 2: very free and frolicking and very aura oriented young people 475 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,879 Speaker 2: where she's all about expressing her art and she doesn't 476 00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:48,280 Speaker 2: care so much about metals. She wants people to watch 477 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 2: what she's displaying on the ice and her performances. And 478 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 2: of course she jumps very well and does all the 479 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:55,800 Speaker 2: elements you're supposed to do, and she skates very consistently 480 00:23:55,840 --> 00:24:00,080 Speaker 2: and cleanly, but she just has this dancing on a 481 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 2: cloud feel to her skating, and she's so enjoyable to watch, 482 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 2: and I think, what's your style, Like, what kind of 483 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 2: skater do you gravity? 484 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:12,359 Speaker 1: I guess to almost the extreme. I love to see 485 00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:18,120 Speaker 1: attempt things that have never been attempted before. But Amber Glenn, 486 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, let's go to Amber. Let's go to Amber, 487 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:22,440 Speaker 1: because I think she might be right up your alley. 488 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:27,280 Speaker 1: So Amber is a testament to resilience. And she has 489 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:31,120 Speaker 1: been on the cusp for so long, and now she's 490 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:34,880 Speaker 1: in her mid twenties, which for most figure skaters is 491 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:36,160 Speaker 1: getting older. 492 00:24:35,960 --> 00:24:39,560 Speaker 2: And heading toward the end of your very competitive days. 493 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:42,760 Speaker 2: And somehow she's better than she's ever been. She's one 494 00:24:42,760 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 2: of the few women in the world that can land 495 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:46,800 Speaker 2: a triple axle, like we talked about earlier three and 496 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 2: a half revolutions. She'll need it if she wants to 497 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:52,359 Speaker 2: be on the podium. But she's one of those skaters 498 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:55,000 Speaker 2: that instantly makes you feel like you're at center ice 499 00:24:55,040 --> 00:24:57,560 Speaker 2: with her. She brings you in. She wears her heart 500 00:24:57,600 --> 00:24:59,639 Speaker 2: on her sleeve, and she's one of the best and 501 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 2: bast is across any sport that I've ever seen for 502 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:06,399 Speaker 2: good sportsmanship. And she supports all the young skaters coming 503 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:10,439 Speaker 2: up and applauds everyone, even in the most tense situations. 504 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:13,360 Speaker 2: I see her ice side clapping for the person who 505 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:16,960 Speaker 2: just skated before them, and I just think she has 506 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:21,840 Speaker 2: a tremendously welcoming style and the triple axle is going 507 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:23,840 Speaker 2: to be an exciting moment for her. And if she 508 00:25:23,920 --> 00:25:25,919 Speaker 2: skates well, she has a chance just as much as 509 00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:28,399 Speaker 2: Melissa does to be on the podium. And what about 510 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:34,560 Speaker 2: Isabe And isabe is a quintessential perfectionist figure skater. She 511 00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:39,119 Speaker 2: has very balletic posture, perfect fingers and hands like this 512 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:41,159 Speaker 2: is important, Actually, Martha, can you give me like a 513 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:45,400 Speaker 2: little of that hand, Like give me a little pinky up, 514 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:49,560 Speaker 2: middle finger down and we tuck the thumb. Remind me 515 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:51,159 Speaker 2: when I see you in Milan that we need to 516 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:51,800 Speaker 2: work on that. 517 00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:52,520 Speaker 3: A little bit. 518 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 2: But the grace and elegance I can do that little 519 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:04,440 Speaker 2: imagine that your fingers are feathers. Yes, okay. But Isabeau 520 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 2: is that skater in a snow globe, that perfect ballerina, 521 00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 2: China adult whatever you would want to classify her as. 522 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 2: But that classic skater girl that you think of from yesteryear. 523 00:26:16,040 --> 00:26:19,800 Speaker 3: How old is is Abo? Somewhere in her late teens 524 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:21,880 Speaker 3: early twenties. I'm terrible with age. 525 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:25,320 Speaker 2: I can't remember if I'm forty one, sixteen, or seventy 526 00:26:25,320 --> 00:26:29,080 Speaker 2: three most of the time. But there Isabe's from New Jersey, 527 00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:32,600 Speaker 2: Ambers from Texas, and Alyssa is from California. So they 528 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:36,879 Speaker 2: couldn't be more special, more unique, and definitely deserving of 529 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 2: all of the applause coming back from the States. 530 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:43,320 Speaker 1: So there's so much excitement about them. And they're very attractive. 531 00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:46,760 Speaker 1: Can't wait to see them. And they're good friends, you said, 532 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:49,760 Speaker 1: very good friends, and they're so supportive of one another. 533 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:53,359 Speaker 1: I have what color would you wear if you were 534 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:56,199 Speaker 1: competing at the Olympics. Do you think maybe we get 535 00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:59,360 Speaker 1: two costumes? You have a short program and a long program. Well, 536 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 1: my favorite is gold. 537 00:27:01,119 --> 00:27:01,800 Speaker 3: Gold is good. 538 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 1: I'd probably wear gold for both. No, no, maybe I 539 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:10,719 Speaker 1: would wear like silvery gray. So just blend right in 540 00:27:10,760 --> 00:27:13,480 Speaker 1: with the ice. You're just gonna be nostrils and eyelashes. 541 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:15,480 Speaker 1: But it's sparkling fine. 542 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:20,520 Speaker 2: I love that sparkling Markland metallics. 543 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 1: So let's get to the men. Because these guys, now 544 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:27,640 Speaker 1: they all have Russian last names. Yes, are they all Russian? 545 00:27:28,359 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 1: They're all first generation Americans. So Ilia Malanin's parents represented 546 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:38,720 Speaker 1: Uzbekistan in the nineteen ninety eight and I think two 547 00:27:38,760 --> 00:27:41,399 Speaker 1: thousand and two Olympics, And so he's a child of 548 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:46,400 Speaker 1: two Olympians himself, but they are Russian born. Andrew Trgashev 549 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 1: is of Ukrainian and Russian heritage. Both of his parents 550 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:54,680 Speaker 1: competed for the Soviet Union, and Maxim Naumov, his parents 551 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:59,000 Speaker 1: were world champion figure skaters for Russia and the Paris 552 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 1: Discipline Olympians themselves, and we very sadly lost them in 553 00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:05,520 Speaker 1: the plane crash last year. I know, how is he? 554 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:08,720 Speaker 1: How is he born up after that? Was he on 555 00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:10,240 Speaker 1: that plane crash? 556 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:10,760 Speaker 3: He was not. 557 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 2: He had already left the championship and was home waiting 558 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:16,480 Speaker 2: for them to come home. And it's hard for me 559 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:19,959 Speaker 2: to watch him without welling up with tears and just 560 00:28:20,040 --> 00:28:21,960 Speaker 2: thinking about all the years I saw his father standing 561 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,240 Speaker 2: by the boards for him and cheering for him. 562 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:26,000 Speaker 1: And now he has a chance to really bring home 563 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:27,520 Speaker 1: a big medal for us. 564 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:31,680 Speaker 2: Yes, and he is tremendous and he's done so well 565 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:35,080 Speaker 2: this year. I think that he has so much strength 566 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:37,520 Speaker 2: around him, and he has so much mental fortitude. And 567 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:41,160 Speaker 2: he said the easiest way for him to make it 568 00:28:41,240 --> 00:28:44,080 Speaker 2: through was to compartmentalize, so every day of his life 569 00:28:44,160 --> 00:28:47,960 Speaker 2: wasn't consumed with grief. He made sure that every every 570 00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:50,920 Speaker 2: day he spent a certain amount of time contemplating his 571 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 2: parents and thinking about the lessons that they taught him 572 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 2: over the years. And then he marches forward. And he 573 00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:58,840 Speaker 2: was one of the best moments of the US Championships 574 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:01,800 Speaker 2: a few weeks ago because he came through and achieved 575 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 2: a dream that he and his parents had set long 576 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:05,080 Speaker 2: long ago. 577 00:29:05,720 --> 00:29:08,640 Speaker 3: Remind us who wilse diried on that plane crash. 578 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:14,200 Speaker 2: It was a number of skaters from the National Development Camp, 579 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 2: which is a camp that US Figure Skating puts on 580 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:21,040 Speaker 2: for young skaters to develop special talents and to really 581 00:29:21,080 --> 00:29:25,440 Speaker 2: go to that international level, their coaches and many of 582 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:28,560 Speaker 2: their parents as well. So we actually it's as we 583 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 2: record this, it's been a year, and today's a very 584 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 2: sad day for us in our community because we did 585 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:38,000 Speaker 2: lose so many people that we knew and loved and 586 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:41,640 Speaker 2: respected and admired, and certainly the future of our sport 587 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:45,240 Speaker 2: was flying on that plane. So it was a huge 588 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 2: loss for all of us, and I know that it 589 00:29:48,280 --> 00:29:52,000 Speaker 2: rocked our world in so many ways, but skating really 590 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:56,720 Speaker 2: came together in mourning and in grief and in celebrating 591 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:58,440 Speaker 2: the lives that we lost. And I think in the 592 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:03,880 Speaker 2: performances that we've seen since that accident, I know that 593 00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 2: each of the skaters are representing Tmosa or skating for 594 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:09,680 Speaker 2: a whole lot more people than just themselves. It's tragic, 595 00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:12,680 Speaker 2: but people people skate on and I think the best 596 00:30:12,680 --> 00:30:16,320 Speaker 2: thing that skaters can do for skaters is sparkle for them. 597 00:30:16,720 --> 00:30:20,040 Speaker 1: So he got a bronze in twenty twenty six, Andrew 598 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:25,480 Speaker 1: got a silver in twenty twenty six. Yes, and okay, 599 00:30:25,600 --> 00:30:29,400 Speaker 1: so we're we're gonna be watching these guys. And Ilia 600 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:31,760 Speaker 1: is he just the wildest of the three. 601 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:35,000 Speaker 2: He is wild, and he skates in a way that 602 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:40,240 Speaker 2: is so born like. It's just so inherent the way 603 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:43,240 Speaker 2: he skates. His parents told me many times we didn't 604 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:46,120 Speaker 2: want him to skate because they know what skating is 605 00:30:46,280 --> 00:30:48,200 Speaker 2: like and what it can be, that life can be 606 00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:51,040 Speaker 2: very cold and very lonely, and they said, we didn't 607 00:30:51,040 --> 00:30:52,560 Speaker 2: want him to skate, but of course he was at 608 00:30:52,560 --> 00:30:54,320 Speaker 2: the rink all the time while they were teaching, and 609 00:30:54,360 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 2: he just started trying and he has never had a 610 00:30:58,880 --> 00:31:02,840 Speaker 2: bad coach experience. He's had two Olympians his parents as 611 00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:04,720 Speaker 2: his coaches from his first steps on the ice. So 612 00:31:05,080 --> 00:31:08,920 Speaker 2: he's predisposed to be very talented. But it's not just that. 613 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:12,160 Speaker 2: It's not just the technique. It's just not how strong 614 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:15,040 Speaker 2: he is mentally. It's his bravery to try things no 615 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:16,600 Speaker 2: one has ever tried before. 616 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:20,400 Speaker 1: Like seven quadruple jumps in a single program. He was 617 00:31:20,440 --> 00:31:21,280 Speaker 1: the first to do that. 618 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,600 Speaker 2: Exactly, He's the first to do it because not because 619 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:27,640 Speaker 2: no one's tried it, it's because no one can. So 620 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:29,320 Speaker 2: the axle we talked about is the only one that 621 00:31:29,320 --> 00:31:31,960 Speaker 2: takes out going forward. It's the most difficult because it 622 00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:35,760 Speaker 2: adds a half revolution because every jump lands backwards. And 623 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:39,120 Speaker 2: he can do the quad axle, which he's it's an 624 00:31:39,160 --> 00:31:42,000 Speaker 2: exclusive skill for him. It's like Simone Biles and many 625 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:44,200 Speaker 2: of the tricks that she would do in Paris, that 626 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:46,200 Speaker 2: she's the only person in the world that can do them. Well, 627 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:48,680 Speaker 2: that's the quad axle for Alia, and then he can 628 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:50,960 Speaker 2: do every other quad. We have not just the axle, 629 00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:54,480 Speaker 2: but the lutz flip, Luke, Salcou and Tolu. 630 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:56,880 Speaker 1: I'm not going to remember all those names. I'm gonna 631 00:31:56,880 --> 00:31:58,880 Speaker 1: have to write them flaps card and my promise, I'm 632 00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:00,840 Speaker 1: going to have to write between my fingers, I get 633 00:32:00,920 --> 00:32:03,440 Speaker 1: cheater so I can say that at the Olympics. 634 00:32:03,840 --> 00:32:06,000 Speaker 2: Here's the thing where I don't know how close we're 635 00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:07,440 Speaker 2: going to be sitting in the lawn, but I will 636 00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:09,400 Speaker 2: send a carrier pigeon with carts. 637 00:32:09,560 --> 00:32:14,520 Speaker 3: Please do please let me know. Yes, But Alia, he's 638 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:16,560 Speaker 3: done that the quad axle. He's the first person ever 639 00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:18,640 Speaker 3: to do, like watching the man first walk on the moon. 640 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:22,840 Speaker 2: And he has this wonderful abandon when he skates. It's 641 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:26,600 Speaker 2: wild almost but also very refined and sophisticated. 642 00:32:26,640 --> 00:32:30,360 Speaker 3: So he is the gold medal favorite bar nut. 643 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:32,920 Speaker 2: It would take a complete disaster for him not to 644 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:34,120 Speaker 2: win the Olympics. 645 00:32:40,720 --> 00:32:43,320 Speaker 1: Now, what about skating costumes? I can't wait to see 646 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:45,120 Speaker 1: what these guys are going to be wearing. But they 647 00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:49,360 Speaker 1: bring a whole dimension of creativity to the sport. Which 648 00:32:49,400 --> 00:32:51,880 Speaker 1: designers did you work with? Did you work with Vera Wang? 649 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:53,520 Speaker 1: Did she ever do men's. 650 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:56,560 Speaker 3: As she did? She actually designed for one of my 651 00:32:56,600 --> 00:32:57,360 Speaker 3: biggest rivals. 652 00:32:57,440 --> 00:33:01,360 Speaker 2: His name was Evan lysichek Oh, and I liked to 653 00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:04,080 Speaker 2: design my own costumes because I was a micromanager and 654 00:33:04,120 --> 00:33:06,800 Speaker 2: I wanted to make sure that every line stone that 655 00:33:06,840 --> 00:33:08,400 Speaker 2: I put out there in front of the world, I 656 00:33:08,440 --> 00:33:10,400 Speaker 2: had to say in because I had to own it. 657 00:33:10,880 --> 00:33:14,360 Speaker 2: Once you're out there, we're completely alone. So additionally, I 658 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:16,760 Speaker 2: liked my costumes to sort of tell a story. Because 659 00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:20,240 Speaker 2: athletes so rarely have a voice or an opportunity to 660 00:33:20,320 --> 00:33:21,880 Speaker 2: explain to people what they're doing. 661 00:33:22,120 --> 00:33:23,520 Speaker 3: They have to rely on the commentators. 662 00:33:23,560 --> 00:33:25,760 Speaker 2: So Tara and I take it very seriously when skaters 663 00:33:25,760 --> 00:33:28,800 Speaker 2: say this is what my program's about, please say it. Oh, 664 00:33:28,880 --> 00:33:31,200 Speaker 2: and we call them programs, not routines. That's something that 665 00:33:31,240 --> 00:33:34,880 Speaker 2: would make you feel like an insider or an outsider, okay, programs. 666 00:33:35,080 --> 00:33:37,479 Speaker 2: So the costuming, it's really important because it helps tell 667 00:33:37,520 --> 00:33:40,280 Speaker 2: the story. It's like the other character of your performance. 668 00:33:40,800 --> 00:33:44,600 Speaker 2: Our costumes help us tell a story. And Viierra Wang 669 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:48,120 Speaker 2: has designed for many of the top skaters. Oscar Della 670 00:33:48,160 --> 00:33:52,240 Speaker 2: Rena has a costume in the pairs event for one 671 00:33:52,280 --> 00:33:55,440 Speaker 2: of the most inspiring stories actually, Deanna Stilato du Dex. 672 00:33:55,560 --> 00:33:59,080 Speaker 2: She was a single skater in America. She retired for 673 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:02,240 Speaker 2: quite some time now. I believe she's forty one at 674 00:34:02,320 --> 00:34:03,840 Speaker 2: time of the Olympics. But she's going to be the 675 00:34:03,880 --> 00:34:07,680 Speaker 2: oldest Olympian in almost one hundred years or something like that. 676 00:34:07,760 --> 00:34:10,000 Speaker 3: Oh she's wearing Oscar dela Reenta ooh. 677 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:13,239 Speaker 2: And you know, the costumes are very important, just as 678 00:34:13,280 --> 00:34:16,239 Speaker 2: much as the music selection because it helps completely tell 679 00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:17,520 Speaker 2: your story when you're out there. 680 00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:20,680 Speaker 1: And is that music all pre recorded for the event. 681 00:34:21,480 --> 00:34:22,640 Speaker 1: It's all pre edited. 682 00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:25,919 Speaker 2: So most skaters choose their music in spring, they work 683 00:34:25,960 --> 00:34:28,640 Speaker 2: on choreography through the end of spring. Beginning of summer 684 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:32,680 Speaker 2: they start training and developing the program more before competition 685 00:34:32,719 --> 00:34:36,640 Speaker 2: starts in October, so by February, by the Olympics is 686 00:34:36,719 --> 00:34:39,799 Speaker 2: when they should all be peaking. And every skater has 687 00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:42,520 Speaker 2: chosen music that either means something to them that they 688 00:34:42,520 --> 00:34:45,319 Speaker 2: think will sell really well to an Italian audience. Even 689 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:48,279 Speaker 2: though the Olympics is a very international audience, there's still 690 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:51,200 Speaker 2: no better feeling than being in the arena and having 691 00:34:51,239 --> 00:34:53,439 Speaker 2: the whole building stand up for you, because it makes 692 00:34:53,480 --> 00:34:55,440 Speaker 2: you feel like the world is standing up for you. 693 00:34:55,920 --> 00:34:58,800 Speaker 2: And a lot of people have chosen Italian music. Ilia 694 00:34:58,880 --> 00:35:02,560 Speaker 2: Malanin has spoken word that he actually speaks in his 695 00:35:02,640 --> 00:35:05,359 Speaker 2: free skate, but it's about showing the world who you are, 696 00:35:05,760 --> 00:35:09,000 Speaker 2: your individuality, your creativity, and it could be hard about 697 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:10,839 Speaker 2: to choose the same music as somebody else. 698 00:35:10,920 --> 00:35:11,239 Speaker 3: Do you have. 699 00:35:11,239 --> 00:35:13,400 Speaker 2: Any like would you skate to Snoop Dogg? Do you 700 00:35:13,440 --> 00:35:18,359 Speaker 2: think no, it's too slow. It's just I like this 701 00:35:18,440 --> 00:35:21,960 Speaker 2: costume of yours. Oh, thank you very much you designed that. 702 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:26,759 Speaker 2: I designed that because that's twenty ten at the Olympics 703 00:35:26,760 --> 00:35:28,799 Speaker 2: and it was still wow. It was still a time 704 00:35:28,840 --> 00:35:31,960 Speaker 2: in history when you know, my people couldn't get married. 705 00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:33,840 Speaker 2: So I wanted to make sure that I wore pink 706 00:35:34,280 --> 00:35:38,560 Speaker 2: in support of you know, stereotype of gay people loving pink. 707 00:35:38,840 --> 00:35:40,640 Speaker 2: And I also wanted to wear a corset because I 708 00:35:40,719 --> 00:35:42,719 Speaker 2: was terribly thin and I wanted to show that off. 709 00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:45,400 Speaker 1: Well, now you can get a part in that in 710 00:35:45,440 --> 00:35:47,920 Speaker 1: that hockey series is on TV. 711 00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:50,480 Speaker 3: When you watched it yet I only just did. 712 00:35:50,719 --> 00:35:53,760 Speaker 1: Oh, I only watched episode one and I think part 713 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:54,200 Speaker 1: of two. 714 00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:57,839 Speaker 2: Okay, So we get away from from the dirty bits 715 00:35:58,360 --> 00:36:01,120 Speaker 2: and we went into the love story Martha like it's 716 00:36:01,200 --> 00:36:01,600 Speaker 2: oh we do. 717 00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:01,960 Speaker 3: Yeah. 718 00:36:02,000 --> 00:36:04,640 Speaker 2: It gets into love like it does feel good and 719 00:36:04,719 --> 00:36:07,760 Speaker 2: syrupy and homey by the end of it. It starts 720 00:36:07,880 --> 00:36:11,040 Speaker 2: very aggressively and it reminded me so much my youth, 721 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:13,319 Speaker 2: because you know, when you're an athlete, you don't want 722 00:36:13,320 --> 00:36:15,239 Speaker 2: people to focus on who you are, but you want 723 00:36:15,239 --> 00:36:18,759 Speaker 2: them to focus on what you're doing exactly. And even 724 00:36:18,800 --> 00:36:21,160 Speaker 2: in figure skating we have people think it's a very 725 00:36:21,160 --> 00:36:23,640 Speaker 2: flamboyant sport and there's so many gay guys, and believe me, 726 00:36:23,640 --> 00:36:24,120 Speaker 2: I wish. 727 00:36:23,920 --> 00:36:25,280 Speaker 3: There were more gay guys in my sport. 728 00:36:25,719 --> 00:36:29,239 Speaker 2: But for the most part, the love stories happened behind 729 00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:31,440 Speaker 2: the scenes because you never wanted to be judged for that. 730 00:36:31,719 --> 00:36:33,719 Speaker 2: So whether you were gay or straight, you kind of 731 00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:36,120 Speaker 2: kept everything under wraps. But definitely finished series on the 732 00:36:36,120 --> 00:36:37,200 Speaker 2: plane over to malat. 733 00:36:37,160 --> 00:36:42,000 Speaker 1: So you and your bedazzled headsets, you and Tara, what 734 00:36:42,040 --> 00:36:42,879 Speaker 1: are you doing this year? 735 00:36:43,120 --> 00:36:44,480 Speaker 3: Can you give us a sneak? 736 00:36:45,239 --> 00:36:49,840 Speaker 2: Well, we definitely. We overpack for sure. So we bring 737 00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:53,240 Speaker 2: between the two of us around between sixteen and eighteen 738 00:36:53,280 --> 00:36:55,800 Speaker 2: suitcases because we want to be ready for anything. 739 00:36:56,480 --> 00:36:58,640 Speaker 3: These suitcases are trunks. Do you have those nice. 740 00:36:58,480 --> 00:37:02,520 Speaker 2: Trunks remov a tru Yes, and they essentially drive themselves 741 00:37:02,520 --> 00:37:05,400 Speaker 2: at this point, like I stand back and I pushed 742 00:37:05,400 --> 00:37:07,239 Speaker 2: an all eight of mine just travel through. 743 00:37:07,320 --> 00:37:10,760 Speaker 3: JFK. What color do you have? I have a little mixture. 744 00:37:10,800 --> 00:37:12,960 Speaker 3: I've got some green and black, and I have some. 745 00:37:13,200 --> 00:37:14,080 Speaker 3: I have some old ones. 746 00:37:14,120 --> 00:37:16,520 Speaker 2: They're called double suitors that they don't make anymore, so 747 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:18,400 Speaker 2: I just bought whatever they had left in the company. 748 00:37:18,440 --> 00:37:19,920 Speaker 2: So I have some random red one. 749 00:37:19,840 --> 00:37:22,480 Speaker 1: I write online in between the lines. Do you know 750 00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:24,960 Speaker 1: they have the little regions? I write every place I've 751 00:37:25,000 --> 00:37:27,600 Speaker 1: ever been, So they've had mine on exhibit in the 752 00:37:27,640 --> 00:37:31,120 Speaker 1: window because they had they had never seen that. They've 753 00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:33,640 Speaker 1: never seen anybody write every and I have. I've been 754 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:36,640 Speaker 1: to so many cities and countries right that I put 755 00:37:36,640 --> 00:37:38,319 Speaker 1: them and the dates I put the dates and the 756 00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:39,560 Speaker 1: and the places I've been. 757 00:37:39,960 --> 00:37:43,080 Speaker 3: They're very fun. They're they're collector's items. Now I want 758 00:37:43,080 --> 00:37:44,680 Speaker 3: to start doing that. That's amazing. 759 00:37:45,200 --> 00:37:47,680 Speaker 1: You should, you should, because you go, you go all 760 00:37:47,719 --> 00:37:48,480 Speaker 1: over the place. 761 00:37:48,640 --> 00:37:50,920 Speaker 3: I mean, who else has ak Who has Baijan on 762 00:37:50,960 --> 00:37:55,520 Speaker 3: their Remova suitcase? That's right? Very few people, by the way. 763 00:37:55,760 --> 00:37:59,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, So it's and it reminds you too of where 764 00:37:59,640 --> 00:38:03,200 Speaker 1: you've been. But I love those Remoa everything Remoa. It's 765 00:38:03,239 --> 00:38:04,320 Speaker 1: just they're great. 766 00:38:04,960 --> 00:38:06,360 Speaker 3: Are you with this Salvic person? 767 00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:09,040 Speaker 2: Like do you said and think about the places you've been, 768 00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:09,879 Speaker 2: the things you've seen. 769 00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:12,600 Speaker 1: No, I'm always thinking about where I have to go 770 00:38:12,880 --> 00:38:15,080 Speaker 1: or where I want to go, the next place. I 771 00:38:15,120 --> 00:38:17,319 Speaker 1: haven't been, where I'm going, you know. That's what I 772 00:38:17,360 --> 00:38:20,040 Speaker 1: think about. People always say what's your favorite place? It's 773 00:38:20,040 --> 00:38:20,879 Speaker 1: where I haven't been. 774 00:38:21,160 --> 00:38:23,120 Speaker 2: Where haven't you been? Where you're going next? I mean 775 00:38:23,120 --> 00:38:24,360 Speaker 2: Milan you've been to of course? 776 00:38:24,719 --> 00:38:27,560 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, I've been to Milan, and I've been to Courtina. 777 00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:29,360 Speaker 1: And I went to the Turin Were you at the 778 00:38:29,400 --> 00:38:30,520 Speaker 1: Turinic Olympics? 779 00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:33,040 Speaker 3: That was my first Olympics? Oh that was your first? 780 00:38:33,160 --> 00:38:34,080 Speaker 3: Oh I was there. 781 00:38:34,640 --> 00:38:39,880 Speaker 1: But I ate a lot of gone Julia hazel nut chocolate. 782 00:38:40,160 --> 00:38:43,799 Speaker 2: I ate lots of that great everywhere for everything. 783 00:38:43,840 --> 00:38:45,840 Speaker 3: I feel like I had a drawer full of it 784 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:46,919 Speaker 3: by the time I came home. 785 00:38:47,080 --> 00:38:49,240 Speaker 1: Oh, of course you did all that, those hazel nuts. 786 00:38:49,320 --> 00:38:51,000 Speaker 1: And we went to the hazel nut factory. 787 00:38:51,040 --> 00:38:51,239 Speaker 3: You know. 788 00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:53,680 Speaker 1: I was doing a whole lifestyle reporting there. It was 789 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:57,200 Speaker 1: so much fun. And I went to the Nagano Olympics 790 00:38:57,600 --> 00:38:59,040 Speaker 1: that's probably before your time. 791 00:38:59,400 --> 00:39:01,640 Speaker 3: That's where won her Olympic gold medal. 792 00:39:01,560 --> 00:39:04,319 Speaker 1: That's right. And oh it was so beautiful there. Oh 793 00:39:04,360 --> 00:39:07,560 Speaker 1: my gosh, I loved it so much. But well, let's 794 00:39:07,560 --> 00:39:10,440 Speaker 1: see what's happening in Milan this year. It's going to 795 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:14,200 Speaker 1: be fun. I talked to Mike Cherrico yesterday and Mike 796 00:39:14,280 --> 00:39:16,279 Speaker 1: Cherrico said, the ice is very good. 797 00:39:16,360 --> 00:39:17,880 Speaker 3: Now, had you skated on it? 798 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:21,000 Speaker 1: No, he just checked that he was told that it's good. 799 00:39:21,360 --> 00:39:22,360 Speaker 3: Well, okay, fine. 800 00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:25,319 Speaker 2: I just pictured him in skates, like hockey skates or 801 00:39:25,320 --> 00:39:28,200 Speaker 2: maybe speed skates, actually with a monocle. 802 00:39:28,560 --> 00:39:31,359 Speaker 1: Checking the ice. Yes, So tell me about the ice. 803 00:39:31,719 --> 00:39:33,520 Speaker 1: How do you know it's good or not good? What 804 00:39:33,600 --> 00:39:37,640 Speaker 1: kind of ice do you have to have to compete beautifully? 805 00:39:37,760 --> 00:39:40,120 Speaker 2: So if you're not a skater, this wouldn't make sense 806 00:39:40,160 --> 00:39:43,080 Speaker 2: at all, But for hockey and speed skating, they're like 807 00:39:43,239 --> 00:39:47,680 Speaker 2: very hard ice. So when the temperature gets turned down, 808 00:39:48,080 --> 00:39:51,760 Speaker 2: it makes the ice very hard and shattering it. Figure 809 00:39:51,800 --> 00:39:55,200 Speaker 2: skaters toe pick in for a jump and the ice 810 00:39:55,280 --> 00:39:57,600 Speaker 2: is shattery. You make a huge hole and ice just 811 00:39:57,640 --> 00:40:00,560 Speaker 2: goes flying everywhere. So we prefer when and the degrees 812 00:40:00,600 --> 00:40:03,640 Speaker 2: are up a little bit, like what degree? Well, I mean, 813 00:40:03,680 --> 00:40:06,320 Speaker 2: I'm not necessary, I don't know. I'm not a scientist. 814 00:40:07,440 --> 00:40:10,279 Speaker 3: You're not a physicist. You're not a physicist, rice, No, 815 00:40:10,440 --> 00:40:12,520 Speaker 3: not a physicist or an ice expert. 816 00:40:12,560 --> 00:40:14,840 Speaker 2: But I know that We like it when it's warmer 817 00:40:14,920 --> 00:40:17,640 Speaker 2: because it is more of a cushion when you come down. 818 00:40:17,680 --> 00:40:21,480 Speaker 2: As wild as that sounds, but it's something like four 819 00:40:21,600 --> 00:40:26,200 Speaker 2: or five degrees warmer than what hockey likes, and it 820 00:40:26,320 --> 00:40:28,759 Speaker 2: helps us to feel more secure because our sport's all 821 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:33,279 Speaker 2: about digging into the ice and really grooving and edging 822 00:40:33,360 --> 00:40:36,279 Speaker 2: along with the ice, whereas hockey and speed skating are 823 00:40:36,320 --> 00:40:39,160 Speaker 2: more about running on top of the ice. So if 824 00:40:39,160 --> 00:40:42,399 Speaker 2: it's hard and shattery, it's hard to really dig down 825 00:40:42,400 --> 00:40:43,160 Speaker 2: into your edges. 826 00:40:44,360 --> 00:40:47,040 Speaker 1: So you already gave away the answer, but I might 827 00:40:47,120 --> 00:40:49,719 Speaker 1: wanted me to ask you exactly how many pairs of 828 00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:50,600 Speaker 1: shoes you're bringing. 829 00:40:52,719 --> 00:40:55,040 Speaker 3: I mean to be fair. We were talking about it 830 00:40:55,080 --> 00:40:56,280 Speaker 3: before we began. 831 00:40:56,400 --> 00:40:59,400 Speaker 2: But tomorrow's my packing day, and I don't know if 832 00:40:59,440 --> 00:41:01,640 Speaker 2: you get anxiet, I eat up packing that I always do. 833 00:41:02,000 --> 00:41:04,520 Speaker 3: I hate to pack. It's the worst. 834 00:41:04,800 --> 00:41:06,560 Speaker 1: Do you wait till the last minute or do you 835 00:41:06,680 --> 00:41:08,080 Speaker 1: have to do it like the day before. 836 00:41:08,480 --> 00:41:11,880 Speaker 2: I've cleared a full day tomorrow before we fly, to 837 00:41:12,360 --> 00:41:16,520 Speaker 2: only focus on tissue wrapping everything and putting everything together 838 00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:19,919 Speaker 2: and bubble wrapping the fragrances because I'm a fragrance freak. 839 00:41:20,040 --> 00:41:23,000 Speaker 2: So I'm bringing twelve bottles of cent just because I 840 00:41:23,080 --> 00:41:24,840 Speaker 2: need to have choice in the morning. 841 00:41:24,960 --> 00:41:25,919 Speaker 3: What's your favorite scent? 842 00:41:26,600 --> 00:41:30,280 Speaker 2: There is a scent called Iris Porcelana from ex Nilo. 843 00:41:30,560 --> 00:41:33,960 Speaker 2: It's a French company and it is It's Iris as 844 00:41:34,000 --> 00:41:36,960 Speaker 2: it sounds in the most bit of German. 845 00:41:36,760 --> 00:41:37,920 Speaker 3: German Iris. 846 00:41:38,239 --> 00:41:41,720 Speaker 1: It's I'm a beard, the bearded Iris, that beautiful, big, 847 00:41:41,880 --> 00:41:43,720 Speaker 1: big Iris, flower purple. 848 00:41:43,760 --> 00:41:47,000 Speaker 3: It's the purple Iris with a huge, huge Iris. But 849 00:41:47,080 --> 00:41:49,920 Speaker 3: it's that's that's a German Iris. I love a very 850 00:41:49,960 --> 00:41:52,040 Speaker 3: powdery scent that lingers. 851 00:41:52,080 --> 00:41:54,279 Speaker 2: So I like to go in and out whenever I 852 00:41:54,320 --> 00:41:56,920 Speaker 2: attend something, and I just like the cloud of my 853 00:41:57,080 --> 00:42:00,320 Speaker 2: essence to stay there, and this fragrance does that for me, 854 00:42:00,520 --> 00:42:03,360 Speaker 2: so people will remember that I was there, but also 855 00:42:03,480 --> 00:42:04,799 Speaker 2: question if I was there. 856 00:42:05,320 --> 00:42:09,200 Speaker 3: Oh okay, we're gonna smell you when we come. Bring it. 857 00:42:09,320 --> 00:42:12,240 Speaker 3: I get up in here all of this. Oh boy, 858 00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:12,839 Speaker 3: oh boy. 859 00:42:13,520 --> 00:42:18,440 Speaker 1: So good luck packing and good luck with your trip. 860 00:42:18,760 --> 00:42:20,080 Speaker 1: You're gonna have so much fun. 861 00:42:20,360 --> 00:42:22,120 Speaker 2: So I'm still looking forward to meeting you in real 862 00:42:22,160 --> 00:42:24,440 Speaker 2: life if there's the moment, but I will no matter what, 863 00:42:24,560 --> 00:42:27,719 Speaker 2: send smoke signals and pigeons with no cards for you. 864 00:42:28,160 --> 00:42:32,319 Speaker 1: Okay, And I have one last unrelated question. What are 865 00:42:32,360 --> 00:42:35,360 Speaker 1: you sitting in front of? What primitive painting is that 866 00:42:35,480 --> 00:42:35,960 Speaker 1: behind you? 867 00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:39,360 Speaker 2: This was I'll pull you away in a second, but 868 00:42:39,520 --> 00:42:42,040 Speaker 2: it was on a Swedish so my home is in 869 00:42:42,080 --> 00:42:46,880 Speaker 2: the Gustabian style and it was from eighteen seventy five. 870 00:42:47,360 --> 00:42:51,200 Speaker 2: It was on the wall of a kindergarten in Yotuborg, Sweden. 871 00:42:51,760 --> 00:42:54,200 Speaker 2: And when they were demolishing the building they saved these 872 00:42:54,239 --> 00:42:57,400 Speaker 2: panels and there were two and somebody had bought the 873 00:42:57,440 --> 00:42:59,080 Speaker 2: other one out from under me. But it was at 874 00:42:59,320 --> 00:43:02,920 Speaker 2: one of the beautiful antique chops in Stamford, because I 875 00:43:02,960 --> 00:43:05,799 Speaker 2: never knew that Stanford was like the first port for 876 00:43:05,840 --> 00:43:07,160 Speaker 2: a lot of furniture and antique. 877 00:43:07,239 --> 00:43:08,440 Speaker 3: Oh yeah yeah. 878 00:43:08,440 --> 00:43:10,640 Speaker 2: And it just it makes me so happy, And as 879 00:43:10,719 --> 00:43:14,160 Speaker 2: my European travels kind of wind down, it reminds me 880 00:43:14,320 --> 00:43:17,160 Speaker 2: of a more European tree and just makes me feel 881 00:43:17,680 --> 00:43:19,839 Speaker 2: all the good nostalgic things because I always think about 882 00:43:19,840 --> 00:43:21,839 Speaker 2: where I've been more so than where I'm going. 883 00:43:22,360 --> 00:43:24,960 Speaker 3: Very nice. It looks beautiful. So that's a big wood panel. 884 00:43:25,040 --> 00:43:27,360 Speaker 2: Oh, I see, it really is, and it's just and 885 00:43:27,360 --> 00:43:29,160 Speaker 2: what's in front of it a mantelpiece. 886 00:43:29,440 --> 00:43:32,359 Speaker 3: No, no, no, it's a sofa. It's a little sofa. Oh, 887 00:43:32,800 --> 00:43:34,240 Speaker 3: a Swedish sofa. I see. 888 00:43:34,360 --> 00:43:36,799 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, you know what those sofas were. They were 889 00:43:36,840 --> 00:43:40,040 Speaker 1: like the first convertible couches. Does that have a bench 890 00:43:40,080 --> 00:43:41,080 Speaker 1: in it that can pull out? 891 00:43:41,239 --> 00:43:42,600 Speaker 3: This doesn't have a bench that pulls out. 892 00:43:42,600 --> 00:43:44,719 Speaker 2: But I have another one over there that has the 893 00:43:44,800 --> 00:43:47,160 Speaker 2: back that comes completely off so you can sit either way. 894 00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:49,719 Speaker 3: Right. Yeah, Oh, I love that. You're lucky. You have 895 00:43:49,800 --> 00:43:53,440 Speaker 3: all that furniture that's very valuable and beautiful. There are 896 00:43:53,480 --> 00:43:54,360 Speaker 3: you know, my treasures. 897 00:43:54,400 --> 00:43:56,440 Speaker 2: I'm a cancer, so I'm a homebody and I love 898 00:43:56,520 --> 00:43:59,240 Speaker 2: just sitting amongst beautiful things like a hermit. 899 00:43:59,640 --> 00:44:03,520 Speaker 1: Okay, well that's a whole other story. Yes, Johnny Weird, 900 00:44:03,600 --> 00:44:05,560 Speaker 1: thank you so much. We will see you soon in 901 00:44:05,600 --> 00:44:08,120 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks. And best of luck at the 902 00:44:08,560 --> 00:44:10,120 Speaker 1: opening ceremonies at the Olympics. 903 00:44:10,120 --> 00:44:11,919 Speaker 3: I can't wait to see them. Thank you. I can't 904 00:44:11,920 --> 00:44:13,480 Speaker 3: wait to see you there. And have safe travels.