Kids and parents came to see America’s best in U.S. Figure Skating Championships. With Nancy Kerrigan performing before pro crowds and Tonya Harding performing public service, the only dramas folks cared about were on the ice.
Nicole strikes gold
Last year was a pain in the butt for Nicole Bobek; starting off 1995 by winning her first U.S. Figure Skating Championship here Feb. 11 made everything all right. “It showed that a lot of hard work and pain are all worth it,” she said.
In 1994, a bruise on her hip swelled as big as a grapefruit and forced her to practice with a special pad. She traveled around the country trying to find the right coach and even tried Kerrigan’s before she met Richard Callaghan and moved to Michigan.
Now, the 17-year-old Chicago native says she’s going to dig in and concentrate on getting ready for the World Championships in March.
Northern under-exposure
Most fans thought 12-year-old Tara Lipinski was a lock for this year’s junior ladies’ title and didn’t see Alaskan Sydne Vogel, 15, coming until she’d beaten Tara. There was lots about Sydne you didn’t expect. As cold as skating outdoors in her hometown of Anchorage gets, she found Providence colder. As for “Northern Exposure,” the show many people think of when they hear “Alaska” – Sydne has never seen it.
Sister, sister
Karen Kwan, 16, says competing against her little sister, Michelle, 14, who ended up second behind Nicole, is no big deal. “I’m skating for myself and she skates for herself,” Karen says. “It’s kind of fun hearing everyone talk about her.”
Besides, Karen says, they’re good at different things. “The art in skating comes easier to me.” Michelle has a knack for jumps, so Karen says she’d be willing to trade tips. “I’m working on my triple flip and lutz … maybe she could help me!”
Zamboni timeout
During breaks, fans pawed over booths full of skating stuff, especially competition dresses with hologram sequins. They bought roses ($3.50) to toss to skaters. (One fan threw Michelle Kwan a Lion King doll.) Another booth sold “The Pic,” a new toe wheel you bolt on in-line skates to practice figure skating on pavement. The hottest booth sold pins including 1936 Berlin Winter Olym-pic pins ($100) and ’94 Lillehammer Team USA pins ($60).
