| Skate Journal 2003-2004 |
| Year in Review |
| In June of 2003 I moved to Park City, UT. There is unfortunately no rink in this town. Supposedly there is one to be built soon that will become the dreaded "seasonal rink". So, I was in search of a new rink and coach to call home. Since for the duration of the summer and early fall I was more or less unemployed unless you call waitressing for very little cash in a dead restaurant employment, I did not have the means to skate regularly with lessons. My time was spent looking for a job and the money was not coming in at all. So, once I got my big paying job I decided to get back into a regular schedule. I took a trip to Sun Valley and it was like old home. There were skaters I knew, coaches and performers. It was very exciting. I decided to pick up a lesson while I was there and in so doing had an opportunity to meet a VERY influential person in my life. I was able to meet the woman I saw and spoke to that day on the rink in Sun Valley when I learned about adult skating. She was the person who inspired me to take up skating again as an adult. I took a moment to tell her thank you for being an inspiration and talking to me that day because it truly has changed my life. It is amazing how those small little moments can have such a large and lasting impact on your life! While in Sun Valley it was recommended to me that I take private lessons from Stephanee Grosscup. Stephanee taught at the Salt Lake Sports Complex (Steiner) in Salt Lake City. The rink was about a half hour from my home and though not as far as some people have to drive, seemed like forever to me since in Jackson it was only 5 minutes to the rink. Still, sacrifices must be made for something that you love. I made it work in my schedule to leave immediately after work and fly down the mountain to get to the rink just before the session. It was always a race down the canyon past semis to get there. I was usually worked up before I ever got on the ice. Stephanee is awesome. She is one of the best teachers ever. As my first female adult coach, I was a little nervous, but I love this woman to death!!! Her style, technique and choreography are just amazing. Since she had taught Lacey (Jackson skater and coach) it was easy to pick up on her style. She is a wonderful woman so full of energy and life. I miss her desperatley. I had several "Ah Ha" moments when she coached me. My once a week lessons were sometimes all the time I had on the ice each week. However, I knew with Stephanee's coaching that I was improving, even Jon could see it. She took me back to basics and helped to transform my skating. I have become a much more controlled and stronger skater. Stephanee spent a lot of time getting me ready for my Silver Moves in the Field test and also choreographed an amazing program to Carmen for me. I think of her everytime I practice it. I did not test or compete this year, I spent my time getting back to basics and trying to become a better skater. I spent some time on my axel and had it from time to time. I was so sad to leave Stephanee, though I knew that in moving to Breckenridge that I would again have a rink 5 minutes from my house and be able to skate much more often. However, I doubted that I would ever be able to replace Stephanee. |