 Archway Anecdotes #10 - Bathroom Breaks and GigglesU.S. Figure Skating Correspondent On the last day of competition, the media are in a frenzy, and so is our fearless blogger.
Notes from Sunday, Jan 15 Saturday
9:50 a.m.
I go down to breakfast with my friends. There’s a bit of a wait for a table, so we put our names on the list. A small group of fans are in front of us in line and are talking with the hostesses. The comments they make are full of such hatred and venom that my friends and I are stunned into silence. I’ve heard and read a lot of nasty comments over the years, but nothing so viciously mean. It made my skin crawl. Whether or not I agree with their choice of “superior” skaters, it was completely nauseating to hear the vitriol spewed by these young men.
10:45 a.m.
My breakfast comes, but my stomach is still churning. I eat only because I know there may not be a chance later.
11:20 a.m.
I catch an elevator to the lobby so I can go to the arena. Paula Wagener is in there and says that multiple people have read my blog from Tuesday and commented to her on the entrapment she and I endured.
12:28 p.m.
Tara Lipinski has a press conference shortly. Must get ready for it.
1:22 p.m.
Tara’s press conference is interesting. She’s totally comfortable in front of the media. She tells us that the morning she flew here she found out she got a part in the TV show “Malcolm in the Middle.” Tara really enjoys acting and says she is looking forward to doing feature movies, although she would do independent films as well. One of the reporters asks her about competing now, like Michelle Kwan is. Tara says that she accomplished everything she wanted to, but she understands that Michelle hasn’t and still needs to try to reach those goals. As for her rivalry with Michelle, Tara said, “It was all about me” and said that Michelle wasn’t a motivating factor.
1:24 p.m.
Men’s free is about to begin, so I head up into the igloo—I mean bowl of the arena. I have one more heat pack from the Shibutanis and break it open for warmth.
3:04 p.m.
Is it wrong that one of my favorite features of the new judging system is that there is time to run to the ladies room and get back before the next skater starts?
3:39 p.m.
Scott Smith rocks his free program. Mark Mitchell is finally finished for the week. Oh yeah, except for that International Committee thing to determine the ladies Olympic Team.
4:09 p.m.
Ryan Bradley must be hurting pretty badly, and he isn’t putting much pressure on his ankle as he gets off the ice. He never gave up on his “Saturday Night Fever” program, though. Makes me wish that pro skating were more popular, because he rocks the entertaining programs like this one and his “Devil Went Down to Georgia” from the Atlanta championships.
4:58 p.m.
Michael Weiss has just gotten off the ice and found out he just missed qualifying for the Olympic
Team. He sits up on the dais of the press conference room and takes questions. It is incredibly classy. Once again, the fact that this week is called the “U.S. Championships” is completely appropriately named.
7:52 p.m.
My men’s article is written. My roommate, Daphne, has gone on a pizza run for me, which is much appreciated. I am in my seat in time for the third warm up group of ladies.
8:17 p.m.
Katy Taylor is skating to “Forrest Gump Suite” which is one of my favorite pieces of music. And she’s skating better than I have ever seen her do.
8:52 p.m.
The final flight of ladies take the ice. Their costumes look like someone spilled a box of crayons on the ice. It’s very pretty.
9:56 p.m.
Bebe Liang is doing what Michael Weiss had to do—face the press after having a difficult program and not making the Olympic Team. She’s so young and so poised in what has to be the most difficult moment of her skating career. Again—this week shows who are the true champions.
10:24 p.m.
The top three ladies are giving their press conference. Emily Hughes is asked the expected “bubble girl” questions about potentially being knocked off the Olympic Team for Michelle Kwan. One reporter asks if it were up to her (Emily), what would she do? Emily laughs and replies, “if it were up to ME?” because of course she would name herself to the team. It’s a tense couple hours, but Emily is keeping a smile on her face and coming off like one classy lady. I can’t say it enough—this week is all about champions. (Web editor’s note: It’s about this time that in the middle of all the chaos surrounding the post-ladies free skate, my dad calls me. He wants to know what Megan Williams-Stewart skated to - he wants to buy the CD. Are you kidding me Dad? We’re trying to name an Olympic Team and deal with 100 media folk. But he’s still my dad, so I found the info and told him.)
10:32 p.m.
Kimmie Meissner gets the giggles. It’s completely charming and endearing. She’s got the skater bun and costume on but can’t stop giggling. Every time she gets it under control, she starts up again and the microphone amplifies the laughter, which makes her giggle more.
12:16 a.m. Sunday morning
The call comes that the International Committee has made its decision. The entire press room runs into the conference room to hear Bob Horen announce that Michelle Kwan was nominated to the team by a vote of 20-3.
1:12 a.m.
My articles are done and now my blog is, too. Time to catch a few hours of sleep before tomorrow’s activities. to top |