Lisa Mcree: Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi has been called the best female skater in the world. She is certainly one of the busiest. She has two books, a CD-ROM, plus her annual Stars On Ice tour. On top of all that, this Thursday, she appears live in something called "Improv Ice." It's a USA Network special featuring the world's top skaters performing improvised routines. It's a really unique way to have a skating competition.
Kristi Yamaguchi is at New York's Chelsea Piers this morning. Spencer Christian is there with her as well. Spencer, this sounds like an interesting competition.
Spencer Christian: I think it's going to be. I'm excited about watching it. In fact, I was talking to Kristi earlier, and I think she's excited about doing it. We'll let her catch her breath and talk to us alittle bit.
Tell us about "Improv Ice". Do you improvise all the routines?
Kristi Yamaguchi: It's going to be interesting. The skaters will receive their music about a half an hour before they perform. It will be the first time we hear this piece of music. We have a bit of time to get used to it and figure out a game plan and then literally go out in front of the live audience, the live TV audience and create a routine.
Spencer Christian: I would think that would be alittle scary.
Kristi Yamaguchi: It's definitely scary. It's a challenge. It's really a way to see how creative a skater is and what they can really come up with on the spot. It should be fun.
Spencer Christian: You normally choreograph your own routines?
Kristi Yamaguchi: No, usually I have lots of help. So that's - you know, we've done some improv things like this as a young, young skater. But it usually takes weeks and months to perfect a routine. It will be interesting for the audience to see the process take place.
Spencer Christian: Do you find skating professionally in these shows as exciting for you or as rewarding when you were competing and working your way up to the Olympics?
Kristi Yamaguchi: It's definitely a different atmosphere. I would say the intense pressure isn't there like we were competing, but it is a challenge to go out there, you know. It's still alot of hard work. I think we get a lot of satisfaction out of it too.
Spencer Christian: You've been facing challenges throughout your career. When you were a young child you had some physical difficulties to overcome, didn't you?
Kristi Yamaguchi: I was born with turned in feet and wore braces and casts for the first couple of years. Skating has really helped that and it's been pretty good.
Spencer Christian: We need to see alittle routine. Can you do alittle bit of routine for us?
Kristi Yamaguchi: This will be a improv just like a preview of what will be Thursday night on the USA Network.
Spencer Christian: Kristi Yamaguchi, improv on ice! Thank you.
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