Adults skating ... and having fun doing it

By Naj Wikoff
From world champions to champions for just being there, the Olympic Arena was filled with adult figure skaters this week — a lot of healthy, attractive, determined and colorful skaters. Being around them reminded me of the sheer joy of being around such positive people during my youth when my grandmother Climena hosted an annual summer skaters camp at the Mirror Lake Inn.

“We have more than 600 competitors,” said volunteer coordinator Linda Sausa who was one of several covering the welcome desk on Saturday for the 14th U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships. “We have five classes of volunteers this time: event monitors, sweepers, runners, registration and announcers – announcers for the warm-up activities. My daughter and I are just passionate about skating,” she said as she helped me with my credentials. “This event brings a lot of good excitement to Lake Placid. The adults love it here. It’s a great time and brings a lot of people to the village when not a lot is going on.”

“I’ve been skating for about 12 years, but I have been off the ice for about a year,” said Susan St. John who came up from Boston. “I’m getting into it. I love just being able to float across the ice and express myself artistically. This is my mom. She is my biggest fan.”

“I’m just the cheerleader,” said Irene St. John. “I’m here to provide support. Her coach got into an accident so I’m a substitute coach today. I’m so proud of her.”

“I love your outfit,” I said to Marjorie Stetson of Vancouver, Wash. She had on this leopard ensemble that included a headband of small bones.

“I started as an adult skater back in 1977,” she said while gasping for breath after her highly appreciated routine. “I love the camaraderie. You get to see all your old friends. We support each other. We all know how hard it is. We push each other beyond our normal comfort zone. This was my forth event. I am done.”

Several skaters including Linda Price, Kathleen Powers and Autumn Allison surrounded 1978 World Figure Skating Champion and now coach Charlie Tickner. “I have 13 skaters here,” he said. “They are not all mine. Four are regular skaters of mine, but all of them are from the San Francisco Bay area where I coach.”

“He is the best,” shouted one.

“I like the adults because there isn’t a lot of baggage,” he said. “They are here because they want to be here. When they get done they cheer each other on. They truly have fun. They are a joy to be around. There is no backstabbing. They are really supportive of each other.”

Back up in registration James Gann and 2004 adult gold medal winner and Lake Placid resident Dr. Karen Guenette were holding down the fort and answering questions. “I’m a competitor and a volunteer,” James said. “What have I gotten out of these competitions? The fact that I am not nervous this year.”

“I love seeing the adults going through their fears and working past it,” said Karen. “It means that age is not an issue. You can still have fun. They are a great inspiration for the younger people.”

“I’m getting a lot less fearful of getting out in front of the judges or an audience,”James said. “Going through this helps me get through that energy and makes it an enjoyable experience.”

“This is my coach Lauren Jason,” said Elana Spiegel dazzling in her red outfit and megawatt smile. “She’s coached me for fifteen years. We created a Special Olympics program on Long Island for figure skaters and a figure skating cheerleader team for the New York Rangers when they play in Madison Garden. I love the creativity and opportunity for self expression in this sport.”

“I am always proud of her,” said Lauren Jason. “She always has a good time.”

“I enjoy the performances and seeing other people enjoying my skating. Even if it is a bad skate they enjoy it,” said Charles Evans of Houston, Texas. “I do three competitions a year and one Christmas show each year. What have I learned? Do the best that you can, everyone has something they are good at and the ability to set goals and accomplish something.”

“This is our fifth time hosting the championships,” said event coordinator Mary Elizabeth Wightman. “The previous time was in 2004. We will be bidding to host it again. What makes it possible is the many people who volunteer. What is special about this event is how everyone really supports each other whether they are a beginner or very experienced. Even if they are skating in just one event they will stay the whole week just to support each other. It’s a great group of people. They are here because they love skating.”

“I love this sport,” said Fran Megerdichian of Westchester County. “We are adults. We stay active and we have fun. That’s what it is about.”