Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
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JEREMY ABBOTT OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATER "Watching Jeremy Abbott skate, it is obvious that Robin Cousins was the reason he started skating. To have the 1980 Olympic gold medalist as your role model brings a different outlook to what skating could be. Jeremy is unique to every skater in the world—and that's how it should be. That's the way skating had always been until the International Judging System (IJS) made every skater strive to win by performing under the exact same guidelines. These days there is no real incentive to be innovative or bold choreographically. All any skater needs to do is what he is told to do to win. Stay within the rules, and you will be rewarded. But Jeremy is different. He has an artistic quality that is the envy of 99 percent of the men competing these days. And that not only makes him different; it makes him special. He can take a piece of music and milk every note and nuance out of it with the way he hears the music and moves to it—it's magic; it's priceless. He keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Combine that uncommon artistic genius with the universal athletic requirements and you have a package that is extraordinary. [At Sochi] Jeremy needs to fight off the demons of inconsistency for those split-second, four-revolutionspins in the air [quadruple jumps] and land flawlessly on those quarter-inch knives that are strapped to his feet. Combine Jeremy Abbott artistry with difficult, clean, technically packed programs, and you'll see a package that will be scaring the wits out of the competition." —Scott Hamilton, American figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Discipline: Figure skating, singles; 2010 Olympian. Age: 28. Coaches: Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen. A star is born: When I was 5, I saw Robin Cousins perform at the Aspen Ice Garden. That's what started it all. The reason I skate is because I grew up in a mountain town. From the time I could walk, I was skiing and skating. Favorite Aspen memory: Christmas with my family—the ground full of snow, sun out, and that magic that the holidays are supposed to have. Since we left Aspen, I've always missed that special something that I only ever felt there. Toughest aspect of my new programs for Sochi: Definitely the quad toe. Words of wisdom for aspiring skaters: Persevere. I've never known a skater who had an easy career. It's a very difficult sport and takes a lot a patience and perseverance. Cause closest to my heart: Skate for Hope (a skating show that benefits breast cancer research) and Parkinson's research. Proudest moment: Walking in the opening ceremonies in the Vancouver Olympics as a part of the United States team. People would never guess: I love tattoos. I have six and am trying to work on more. photography by corbis; NBC Olympics/USOC (abbott) Jeremy Abbott during the men's free skating program at the Eric Bompard Trophée ISU Grand Prix in Paris, France, on November 17, 2012. 170 aspenpeak-magazine.com 166-171_AP_F_NEW_Olympians_WIN13_SPR_14.indd 170 10/30/13 5:06 PM