 Archway Anecdotes #4 - Being Around Novice Athletes is a Great Way to BeginU.S. Figure Skating Correspondent The novice athletes are always such a joy to cover - so happy to be at the U.S. Championships.
Notes from Sunday, Jan 08 4:15 p.m.
Hillary Ho is the eighth novice lady to compete. She takes her position, and “East of Eden” fills the arena. And it makes me very sad that Michelle Kwan cannot be here.
6:11 p.m.
I really enjoy covering novice events. Many of the skaters are here for the first time and are truly excited about just being here. It’s very energizing, and their enthusiasm is contagious. I just finished meeting with the top novice ladies in the mixed zone. I know Michaelee Scarincio from the U.S. Junior Championships last year in Jamestown, N.Y. as well as from photographing her as part of designer Tania Bass’ catalog, so there is a level of comfort and familiarity I don’t usually have with novice skaters. Rhiana Brammeier (pictured) came out and worked the media like a pro, explaining about her programs, her struggle with a growth spurt that seems to have settled down, and overall just giving us a look at the girl behind the skater. But perhaps the most impressive encounter was with St. Louis’ own Debbie Knubley, who stayed and talked with reporters about her food poisoning and what it took for her to compete today. She must have wanted to be in bed and not give quotes, but she never let on. Just an incredibly classy and brave young lady who really left an impression on me.
Time unrecorded
The suites by the media area have the feed from the AFC wildcard football came. The last seconds are being run off the clock and the Pittsburgh Steelers have beaten Cincinnati. Back when I began working in the world of sports years ago, I use to be director of tours for Three Rivers Stadium. I’ve got to cheer my team on. Yay Blitzburgh!
Time still unrecorded
It’s just one of those days where I don’t note the time since it’s going by so quickly. My ladies short program article has been turned in and I’m now on backstage photo duty. I get a day pass, which is a credential that is only good for today that allows me access journalists don’t normally get. I’m armed with my camera and go to the area where the skaters wait to take the ice. The compulsory dances are being competed, and I tuck myself under the stands and take it in. I’ve never seen a competition from this angle, and I have to admit it’s pretty interesting. Some of the skaters kid around, staying loose and joking with their coaches. Others stay intensely focused, not making eye contact. For the coaches, each has a unique posture. Some “skate” the dance. Others don’t move, eyes following, body still. When they stand to see their scores, some skaters and coaches talk about what went right or wrong. Others just take it in and walk away. One lady (whose name will remain private for obvious reasons) came off the ice and exclaimed that she had a wedgie that kept getting worse throughout the dance. Well, I guess I’ve now learned what goes on in that little corner of the rink.
Yup, still don’t know what time it is
I am still backstage seeing who is around. Local skaters are on the ice practicing the award ceremonies, learning when to take the ice and where to stand. One girl accidentally dropped the “medal” and I fear her having nightmares about that happening when it “counts.” Run into Shae-Lynn Bourne who was waiting for a results protocol. She’s here with Cathy and Chris Reed and then heads to Canada for their national championships on Tuesday. I talked briefly to the Reeds who are so excited to be at their first U.S. Championships. Next I run into Madison and Keiffer Hubbell who were waiting to go into the mixed zone. Keiffer is a big fan of creatures like snakes, so I asked if brought any to St. Louis. He said he considered bringing his praying mantis, as it needs to be watered. I must have given a “you’ve got to be kidding me” look, because Madison nodded that he was not in fact kidding me. I’ve learned that praying mantises can become critically—fatally—dehydrated fairly easily. Keiffer’s mantis was “slowing down” (yes, the nod from Madison said, he’s not kidding) from old age. In fact, it was past a normal life span. Unfortunately, the decision was made for Keiffer when the praying mantis died the day he left for St. Louis.
Later
Back up in the media area, I needed the expert advice from photographer George Rossano on some focus issues with my new camera. I bought the Canon 20D on Thursday and even though I had borrowed that model to shoot the Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships last August, I was not getting images I thought were as sharp as they could be. George took the time to look at a batch of photos on his laptop and Paul Harvath, U.S. Figure Skating photographer extraordinaire, added his welcome opinion as well. I had chosen to use all the available focus points, but with dance and pairs, because the two skaters are rarely on the exact same plane, the camera will average the distance and use that as the focus, therefore leaving neither as sharp as they could be. Makes total sense and I’m annoyed with myself for not figuring that out. I will try again at practice tomorrow. It’s not just the skaters who need it.
8:42 p.m.
Daphne and I are on the bus to come back to the Renaissance. We are asked to switch buses because one is leaving early. Our friendly driver helped me with my disfigured camera bag and we had a private bus to the hotel. It was a nice way to end the night. to top |