Fox Sports Online: Tonight we will be chatting with Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. She'll be answering your questions about skating and her current tour, "Discover Stars On Ice presented by Smuckers." This tour also stars Tara Lipinski, Scott Hamilton, Ilia Kulik, Ekaterina Gordeeva and more. Welcome, Kristi, glad you could join us.
Kristi Yamaguchi: Hello! Glad to see you're here for the chat. If you have any questions, throw 'em out!
Question: How does it feel to be a famous figure skater?
Kristi: It's alot of fun. I mean we definitely put our time and sweat into it. But we have a good time and we definitely love what we do.
Question: What inspired you to become a figure skater?
Kristi: I saw a local ice show, in Hayward, California, and I instantly fell in love with the sport. I was about four-years old, and my mom wouldn't let me try the sport until I was six.
Question: My sister has been skating for a few years now and she's becoming really good. What is the best advice you can give her and others to further her skating?
Kristi: Let me see. I would say, obviously, look for a coach that will be compatible with your sister, and someone she can respect. Someone friendly! Who you feel has the qualifications to coach her. From there, the coach can guide her in terms of how much practice time and what kind of equipment she needs.
Question: Are you going to be in the next Winter Olympics?
Kristi: No. I am only skating professionally right now.
Question: Hi, Kristi. I was wondering if you were going to be at the Campbell's ice show in Ames, Iowa on April 28th?
Kristi: No, the tour I am on is Discover Stars on Ice. And we tour between right now and thru April 4 through 62 cities in the USA.
Question: I'll be at the Fresno "Discover Stars on Ice" show, tomorrow. Can I bring you flowers from my kids?
[Amy: this is up the point I transcribed already....and I only missed 6 questions! Not bad ;-)]
Kristi: That's very nice! Actually we'll just be arriving in for the show from San Fransisco, and it's hard to find time to meet you, but maybe after the show you can try to find someone to get backstage.
Question: You are an amazing skater. What's touring like and do you get along with everyone on the tour?
Kristi: SOI is an amazing tour because it offers a skater such much creatively and is constantly challenging.
Kristi: And yes, the skaters do get along and we're like a family on the road together. It's not perfect, it's dysfunctional, but we love each other.
Question: Is skating really hard? I mean is it fun as it looks?
Kristi: I would say the audience defiantly gets to see the fun part of skating. They are obviously THE reason why we skate. And before all the fun numbers, there is alot of rehearsal time that goes into it.
Question: In which country would you like your next tournament to be?
Kristi: If I do a show in another country, I always wanted to go back to Italy and skate there and visit the country.
Question: Kristi, You always seem so relaxed when you skate, what advice would you give to someone like me who gets nervous and wants to enjoy her time in front of others?
Kristi: I probably just hid my nerves better than others. But one way to have more confidence on the ice is to know that you're prepared. And that means practice.
Question: Do you still practice in Edmonton? Do you have an email address or a snail mail address where we can contact you?
Kristi: No, I don't train in Edmonton, I train on Oakdale, California. And I also have a website at kristi@yahoo.com. I'm sorry, kristi.yahoo.com And there's a form where you can send in questions, and I can answer them, and send email. I answer them periodically
Question: Do you hold a grudge to a person you lose to?
Kristi: Never. I think the one feeling it leaves is the desire to go home and work harder.
Question: Kristi, what was your most memorable skating competition and show you did?
Kristi: That's a tough one. Obviously the Olympics in 1992 was a turning part in my life. but probably personally, the World Championships in 1991 was the turning point in my career leading up to the Olympics.
Question: How many gold medals did you win?
Kristi: One Olympic gold, and two World Championship golds.
[Amy: Kristi's too modest! She also won a National gold, two National Pairs
Champion golds. Not to mention, the Nations Cup, Skate America and Goodwill
Games. And back in 1987, she won the World Junior Championships and
the World Junior Pairs in the same year.....and I haven't even mentioned
her professional accomplishments yet!
Go Kristi! Okay, back to the transcript....]
Question: Did you ever go to college?
Kristi: No. I took a couple of classes but that was the extend of it, before the Olympics.
Question: I think you are so beautiful, graceful and effortless on the ice. Do you think you will ever get into acting someday?
Kristi: It's hard to say. I think it takes a totally different type of discipline to act. As an athlete and skater you are used to using your body to portray your emotions. And I think you need a lot more patience than I have to do acting.
Question: Is there any song out there that you would love to use?
Kristi: There are so many wonderful choices of music, that it's always the toughest thing to do every year. It's hard to say.
Question: Hey Kristi, what are you doing now besides skating?
Kristi: Skating is my life! Actually, now that the SOI has started for the next three months, I'll be on the road with the tour. Other than that, doing some work with my charity foundation, the Always Dream foundation. Our mission is to help kids out there, children's causes, trying to make a positive difference in their lives. And I'm trying to learn golf - on a lighter side!
Question: How's your golf game?
Kristi: Terrible! Game still needs much more improvement but I'm enjoying it a little more now.
Question: Are you a good cook?
Kristi: Let's see. My ambition is to be a good cook, I have dreams of it, but I have yet to accomplish that. And as far as a favorite dish, hmmm. My one weakness is ice-cream. I could have that as a meal.
Question: Did you ever feel like giving up on your way to becoming a world champion?
Kristi: Never completely, but there were definitely down times. But I always knew my love for skating would keep me going.
Question: Do you train year-round? Would it be okay to ask how a typical day goes?
Kristi: My most structured training takes place in the summer. And it usually starts with about two hours of skating on the ice, lots of stretching and warmups before and after. And three to four times a week, another hour or so in the gym.
Question: What kind of ice skates do you use?
Kristi: I wear Harlick boots.
Question: Out of all your performances, what would be the one that stands out the most for you?
Kristi: I always go back to the 1991 world champions. I was awarded my first 6.0 mark. And I feel that it set me up for a positive attitude going into the Olympic year.
Question: How do amateur and professional skating differ from each other?
Kristi: I always say lifestyle is the biggest difference. Training as an eligible skater, you have one focus and you just have a more disciplined training schedule. As a professional, you are touring almost year round, and it's really life on the road. So I think those are the main differences.
Question: How do you handle the pressure of the competitiveness. I'm in competitive sports and I have a hard time handling it sometimes.
Kristi: It's easy to lose sight of why you started the sport. And when things got to that point for me, I really had to take a look t why I skated, and it always came back to the passion and love I have for skating. And that motivated me to work hard and just go for it.
Question: Does traveling effect the performance for the show?
Kristi: I don't think it affects the performance of the show, because we can travel all day and yet skate a perfect show. it's just that you have to learn how to pace yourself through the day.
Question: How does it make you feel knowing that you have impacted so many young people especially young girls and woman?
Kristi: Hmm. it's obviously quite an honor to think I can be a role model for young girls and other woman to pursue their dreams. And I hope to always be seen as a positive role model.
Question: Kristi, do your parents put any pressure to encourage you to settle down or date more often?
Kristi: LOL! Well actually, I just got engaged on Christmas Eve. So they haven't been pressuring me too much! They can feel the time is coming.
Question: What is it like to be working with Tara Lipinski on the SOI tour?
Kristi: It's so refreshing. She has so much joy and energy that I think she's reminded alot of the veteran skaters here what skating and touring is about. So, she's been a lot of fun to work with, and is doing an amazing job here on Stars On Ice.
Question: Have you ever skated at Ice-o-Plex in Fremont when you were younger?
Kristi: Yes, I skated at the Ice O Plex. My parents live in Fremont, so it was convenient to skate there. It was nice to have a rink close to home for a change.
Question: I have been going to see you guys for three years and counting and love the show and everyone on it. You are my favorite female figure skater since you won the Olympics and Kurt Browning is my favorite male skater. I heard Kurt browning wasn't going to be in Discover SOI this year. Do you know if this is true? Can't wait to see you on Jan. 16th at the Arrowhead Pond.
Kristi: Thanks! I look forward to seeing you at the Pond as well. And unfortunately, Kurt is taking some time off the road this year, and we miss him. But hopefully he'll be back next year.
Question: Is Scott (Hamilton) going to be on the tour this year?
Kristi: I believe he will do one more year after this year.
Question: What do you eat while training?
Kristi: LOL! You probably don't want to know! Everything in moderation is my motto.
Question: Do you see yourself as a role model for young asian american woman?
Kristi: Definitely. Growing up in the sports world I always looked to other Asian athletes out there as role models and idols. And I've gotten so much support from the Asian community, that it's really lucky to have this connection with my Japanese heritage, and maybe convince other Asian woman to pursue sports, because there aren't too many.
Question: Kristi -What kinda of pets do you have?
Kristi: I do have a cat. Her name is Skittles. She must be about 18 years old. And my family has a dog, and his name is Piston. After the Detroit Pistons.
Question: Do you feel that the Harding/Kerrigan incident had a negative effect on ice-skating?
Kristi: I think it gave a negative image to the sport for a few brief months there. But I think the overall effect it gave was more attention and more interest in the sport of figure skating which isn't entirely a bad thing.
Question: Kristi, do you get to spend time with your friends and family much?
Kristi: I try to take the summer months to spend time with friends and family. Otherwise it's a long winter. And I try and keep in touch with email.
Question: Kristi, after all these years of performing, do you still find skating fun?
Kristi: Definitely. I think the moment skating isn't fun any more, is the day I'll have to hang the skates up.
Question: How long did it take to motion capture your CD-ROM game? Was it fun?
Kristi: A true skating fan out there! It took three days to do the motion capture. And it was a very educational experience, just seeing how a simple CD-ROM game, how much goes into it.
Question: Are you ever scared or have you ever been scared to go out and skate in front of all those people?
Kristi: I think there's always an element of nerves before a performance, no matter how big or small the event is. So, I don't know if you would consider being nervous and scared the same thing.
Question: What is your most prized possession?
Kristi: Hmm. I would say my family. We're a very close family and that's pretty much the most important thing in my life right now, along with skating.
Question: What do you think of the up and coming stars such as Tara LIpinski and Michelle Kwan?
Kristi: I think both girls are incredible role models in figure skating. And have already accomplished so much for how young they are. And I think they both have the potential to continue to improve.
Question:- Are you excited about the Discover Stars tour?
Kristi: Of course! I am excited about it! It's a brand new show this year, with the addition of Olympic Champions Illia Kulik and Tara Lipinski. And we'll be probably hitting a city near you in the next three months! The theme of the show this year is Happiness and Joy. Hope to see you there!
Fox Sports Host: Kristi, thanks for joining us tonight. Good luck with the tour.
Kristi: Thanks for coming online to chat. Your support means alot to me, and hope to see you on the ice soon!
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