Nickelodeon Online Chat: Sunday May 25, 1997 7:00pm
Notes: The winner of the 1992 Olympic Gold Medal in figure skating, Kristi also has world and United States championships to her credit. In 1997, Kristi wowed some of the toughest judges in the world -- kids -- and won the 1997 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for "Favorite Female Athlete."
NickEmcee: Nickelodeon Online is proud to present the Olympic and World championship ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi.
NickEmcee: Welcome, Kristi.
KRISTI: Hello Everyone!
NickEmcee: The first question gets down to the basics. It's from Darci62...
Question: Where were you born? and were are your parents from?
KRISTI: I was born in Hayward, CA and my Dad is from California and my Mom is from Colorado. But, I am of Japanese descent.
KRISTI: Both my parents were raised in California though.
NickEmcee: Here comes the next question from Nick Onliner Claddagh2...
Question: What kind of training do you have to do in order to not get dizzy from spinning on the ice?
KRISTI: Basically just practice, practice, practice. The more you do them, the faster you learn to recover. I still get dizzy a little bit. ;)
NickEmcee: Nick Online Lyver wants to know...
Question: Kristi, how was it when you first started ice skating? Was it hard for you, or did you seem to catch on quickly?
KRISTI: I loved it from the very beginning. It was pretty hard at first, learning the more difficult things after the beginning stages. And some other people seemed to have more talent, but because I loved it so much I just worked really hard at it.
NickEmcee: Steffi113 has a question right here...
Question: I heard you were only competing for one more year. Is that true? I hope not, because there is no one out there as good as you yet.
NickEmcee: Hmm... a little gossip. Say it ain't so Kristi.
KRISTI: Right now, my goal is to compete professionally for one more year. Every year it gets harder and harder to find new programs and new music. If I'm not competing at least I'll still be doing "Stars On Ice" for about 5 more years.
NickEmcee: Well, we're glad to hear that we'll be seeing you on the ice for a little while longer... Phew!!!
NickEmcee: If you've just stopped by, WELCOME!!! We're here chatting to ice skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi right now.
NickEmcee: Here comes the next question...
NickEmcee: And I like the way this person thinks...
NickEmcee: From Lunarso...
Question: What did it feel like to win a gold medal?
KRISTI: At first it was unbelievable, but soon the pride and the emotions of knowing how many years went into it came out. It's really hard to explain actually. It's pretty unbelievable.
NickEmcee: I have a personal question... Are those medals really made out of pure gold? I remember you telling us about this at the Kids' Choice Awards backstage coverage.
KRISTI: I wish!
NickEmcee: You mean to tell the Nick Onliners that the Olympics are skimping?!?
KRISTI: Actually the world medals are made out of 18 karat gold and the rest are either plated or fake.
KRISTI: LOL!!!
NickEmcee: LuvULots1 would like to know a little something about your training...
Question: Kristi, how many hours a day do you train? Do you have time to do any other activities?
KRISTI: Right now, thru the summer, I'll skate about 2 hours on the ice and have about one hour of training off the ice. I'm learning how to golf. I dabble in other things like tennis and some in line skating.
NickEmcee: Maybe you can start an ice-golfing trend.
KRISTI: One of my goals this summer is to learn how to water ski.
NickEmcee: From Nick Onliner SherryAnn....
Question: Kristi, what is your favorite quote and why?
KRISTI: WOW
KRISTI: Um...
KRISTI: we might be here for awhile...
NickEmcee: I think that "Nick Online is the wind beneath my wings" is a good one.
KRISTI: LOL!!! I don't think so... just kidding ;)
NickEmcee: Well, while Kristi is pondering... let's wish a very special Nick Onliner a HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY.
NickEmcee: Happy Birthday, Woody531!
KRISTI: HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOODY!!!!!
NickEmcee: You're not getting out of it that easy, Kristi. A little quote won't hurt ya'.
KRISTI: I'll come back to it later ( I promise).
NickEmcee: Awww... all right. You've got about 27 minutes to figure it out. ;-)
NickEmcee: Here comes the next question. This is from WhtTiger1...
Question: Are you happy with your career? If you could change anything what would it be?
KRISTI: I am very happy with my career. I look back and feel very lucky that it has gone the way it has. If I could change one thing it would be to fin the perfect pair partner so that I could skate pairs as well.
NickEmcee: Here's one from StylinAJ...
Question: Who designs your costumes? Are you coming to Oregon ever?
KRISTI: A couple different people do. One is Jef Billings and a woman named Lauren Sheehan.
KRISTI: The tour "Stars On Ice" that I skate on goes to Portland Oregon every year. We are there around the middle of January. Hopefully we'll see you there.
NickEmcee: Here's one from Cinder824...
Question: What is your favorite song to skate to?
KRISTI: I've had so many favorite routines it's hard to pick just one...
KRISTI: The Blue Danube, one of my Olympic numbers will always be one of my favorite pieces.
KRISTI: I like to listen to high energy stuff - Top 40 music when I'm just skating for fun.
NickEmcee: What's your favorite song to sing in the shower?
KRISTI: ROFLOL!!!!
KRISTI: I haven't sung in the shower in years 'cause I'm so horrible. don't know, I'm so horrible.
NickEmcee: Here is one from Beagle 31...
NickEmcee: And, I'd like to know if it's ever been the other way around myself.
Question: Have you ever thought you did REALLY bad when you did really good and you won 1, 2, or 3 place?
KRISTI: One example of not skating my best and still winning was this past year at the World Professional Championships. And in 1992 at the U.S. Nationals, I skated pretty good and was hoping SO MUCH to win the National Title but I cam in second. skater. What are your plans for the
NickEmcee: Here's one from KADESHPA...
Question: DO you like ice pops?
KRISTI: ICE POPS!?!?!
KRISTI: YES, I love them, especially on a hot day.
NickEmcee: Here's a question from NickOpDave... he's been nagging me to ask you this one all night..
NickEmcee: What are your plans for the future after skating?
NickEmcee: (I think that he may be a little sweet on you.)
KRISTI: Because I've traveled so much, I'd like to settle down in one place and enjoy having a home and stuff; and maybe a family. I'm sure that I'll still be involved in skating though.
NickEmcee: From JGroove 1...
Question: Kristi, who are your biggest influences in life?
KRISTI: I would say first of all my parents, especially my Mom and my skating coach of about 17 years, Christy Ness who taught me not only everything I know in skating but also the discipline, goal setting and hard work that I have needed to get where I am.
Question: How do you feel about your many many admirers? Do you enjoy it?
NickEmcee: (Remember, there's a bunch of them in here right now, Kristi...)
KRISTI: They've been great and that's why I love skating so much right now. I love performing for the audience and doing the shows for them.
NickEmcee: There are many people asking about Scott Hamilton tonight. Would you mind sharing with us all a little on how he's doing?
KRISTI: I saw Scott a few weeks ago and he is being so strong and positive that there's no doubt that he'll be back skating for everyone in the fall.
NickEmcee: Here's one from BrigetteG...
Question: What is your favorite movie.
NickEmcee: Ya' know... this could lead right back to that quote we're waiting for, Kris.
NickEmcee: If you don't mind me calling you that?
KRISTI: I think it's a draw between "The Wizard of Oz" and... "The Sound Of Music." I love the old musicals and I wish they still had them today.
NickEmcee: Kristi, you've already told us what you're plans are for the future... but how about what's next for you skating-wise?
KRISTI: The very next thing I'll be doing is 2 shows in Tokyo and then... 3 shows in Hawaii in June with "Stars On Ice" and then I'll be doing a charity benefit in San Francisco called "Skates In The Park."
NickEmcee: KMilan would like you to share a little of your magic with them...
Question: Hi Kristi, My name is Kendra and I'm a 9 year old figure skater in Freestyle 6 from the North Shore Skating Club in Saugus. I want to be just like you. Any hints on upper body control?
KRISTI: I think it's very good to have a strong abdomen, so doing stomach exercise is very important as well as back exercises. Maybe taking a dance class will help with upper body control also.
NickEmcee: This next one is from Crazylady...
Question: Kristi, what was your most embarrassing moment in your professional career on ice?
KRISTI: There have been several of those ;)
KRISTI: Um...
KRISTI: There was one time in Orlando, Florida actually. It was the first show of the tour and... I didn't quite have my quick change down between numbers and when I went out to do my second number my costume was falling off. The audience had to wait while I fixed my costume.
NickEmcee: Believe it or not our time is almost up with Kristi Yamaguchi...
NickEmcee: Before our last question I'd like to thank Kristi for taking time out of her Memorial Day weekend to spend with us.
KRISTI: I'd like to thank everybody for all the great questions and for spending time with me.
NickEmcee: And the last question is...
NickEmcee: So, what's that quote?
KRISTI: This is something I always leave with people. I say... "Always Dream." And to me it means... always reach for the stars and believe in yourself because reaching your personal best is what makes life so special.
NickEmcee: Thank you so much, Kristi. That quote was worth the wait. Here are some comments from your fans before we go...
Comment: you are a great skater
Comment: You are a great skater. It looks like you just fly like a bird across the ice rink.
Comment: Kristi Rules!!
Comment: I think you are savage
Comment: YOU ARE AWESOME
Comment: I love you Kristi you are my favorite skater
Comment: Hi Kristi your the greatest!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment: KRISTI YOU ARE AN EXCELLENT SKATER
Comment: You are Very Cool !!
KRISTI: WOW!!
KRISTI: I loved chatting with you all
KRISTI: you guys are all AWESOME too!!!
NickEmcee: Thanks again, Kristi.
KRISTI: I'll see you on the ice. ;)
NickEmcee: It was great meeting you at the Kids' Choice Awards last month. And it's been a blast here tonight!
NickEmcee: This is NICKitti, your emcee for the evening signing off. Have
a great night everyone. Thanks for stopping by. See you around the Boards
and in the Blab'!
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