March 2009
In This Issue

Yu-Na Kim Makes History
All the News from Los Angeles
Making Their Debuts
Ice Theatre of New York Gives Back
Figure Skating in Harlem to Honor Tai Babilonia
'Sk8 Jamz - the Ultimate U.S. Figure Skating Experience'
Tara Lipinski the Writer
'Ice Castles' Remake in the Works
Your Chance to Reminisce

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Keeping you up to date on your favorite skaters, recent competitions, events, and news in the world of figure skating.

Yu-Na Kim Makes History



World champion Yu-Na Kim (photo by Susan D. Russell)

Yu-Na Kim claimed the ladies World title Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The South Korean superstar, just 18, had a big lead after the short program and held on to take the global crown. She finished with a record 207.71 competition mark. Kim is the first woman to break the 200-point mark and the first Korean skater to strike gold at a World Figure Skating Championship event. Joannie Rochette of Canada was the silver medalist and Miki Ando of Japan captured the bronze.

International Figure Skating's Senior Editor, Susan D. Russell, was there to capture all the news. Read about Kim's historical victory and the ladies event on our website.



All the News from Los Angeles




World champion Evan Lysacek (photo by Susan D. Russell)

Hometown favorite Evan Lysacek became the first American in 13 years to win the World Figure Skating Championship after an amazing free skate in Los Angeles last Thursday evening. "I wasn't thinking about winning, and I wasn't thinking about medaling," Lysacek said. "I just wanted to skate well for my hometown crowd." Patrick Chan of Canada claimed the silver and Brian Joubert of France took home the bronze.

In ice dance, Russians Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin gave a powerful and elegant free dance in Los Angeles to claim the global crown. Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto of the United States came in a close second, and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada climbed to the third spot on the podium. The pairs title went to Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy. China's Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang were the silver medalists; Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander were the bronze medalists.

Check out our News Forum for all the latest from the 2009 World Championships, including our exclusive photos.



Making Their Debuts



Michelle Kwan and Mirai Nagasu made their broadcasting debuts at the 2009 World Championships. Kwan worked as an analyst for NBC, while Nagasu's gig was with a Japanese television network Fuji TV. Our June 2009 issue of International Figure Skating magazine will feature their stories from Los Angeles. The issue will be available in digital form in mid-April and goes on newsstands May 15.



Ice Theatre of New York Gives Back




Bronx's Munhall School participants enjoyed their day of skating with Ice Theatre of New York members (photo courtesy Ice Theatre of New York) The Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY), the nation's premier ice dancing ensemble, performed its 2009 New Works and Young Artists Series at Riverbank State Park in Harlem recently. For the past 14 years, ITNY has been providing free performances and skating clinics for hundreds of local public school children. In March, schools from the Washington Heights and Harlem areas received free skating lessons from ITNY company members along with free skate rentals. For many participants, this it was their first time on skates.

Figure Skating in Harlem to Honor Tai Babilonia



Figure Skating in Harlem will honor Tai Babilonia at "Skating with the Stars, Under the Stars" on April 6 from 6-9 p.m. at Trump Wollman Rink in Central Park. Along with Babilonia, skaters scheduled to take part in the skate-fest with fans include Tanith Belbin, Ben Agosto, Sasha Cohen, Alissa Czisny, Todd Eldredge, Timothy Goebel, Dorothy Hamill, Sarah Hughes, Evan Lysacek, Kimmie Meissner and Viktor Petrenko For more info, click here. Money raised will go to FSH program for inner city youth.

'Sk8 Jamz - the Ultimate U.S. Figure Skating Experience'



U.S. Figure Skating will hold a unique skating-and-music extravaganza on Mother's Day, May 10, in association with Edge Marketing and the Broomfield Event Center in Broomfield, Colo. "Sk8 Jamz - the Ultimate U.S. Figure Skating Experience" will include an on-ice clinic for select ticket holders on Saturday morning, followed by the show on Sunday afternoon featuring some of the biggest stars in U.S. figure skating as well as musical performances by pop artist and Hannah Montana co-star Mitchel Musso.

The anticipated roster of skaters includes: singles skaters Alissa Czisny, Kimmie Meissner, Ashley Wagner, Caroline Zhang, Alexe Gilles, Angela Maxwell, Ryan Bradley, Brandon Mroz, and Adam Rippon; pairs skaters Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett, Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig, and Rena Inoue and John Baldwin; and ice dancers Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, and Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates. For more info, see the U.S Figure Skating website.

Tara Lipinski the Writer



Gold medalist and 1997 world champion Tara Lipinskiwas among several past World champions who wrote posts for Los Angeles Times website. "I always wanted to try something new that would distinguish me from my competitors. With that said, consistency is paramount," Lipinski blogged. "I can't imagine that today's skaters feel any different than I did."

Lipinski looked back at her experiences at the World Championships, gave her thoughts on the International Judging System and on this year's ladies event.

'Ice Castles' Remake in the Works

Sony Pictures is filming a remake of the 1978 production "Ice Castles" in Halifax, Nova Scotia. U.S. figure skater Taylor Firth (13th at 2009 nationals) is the female lead. Another U.S. senior-level performer Molly Oberstar (15th at nationals) has a supporting role, and word is that other figure skaters will have a shot at appearing in the film. Choreographers extraordinaire Sandra Bezic and David Wilson; are working on the film.

The 1978 film was a cult classic. It focused a young female skater who suffers an accident that leaves her blind and dashes her dreams of becoming a world-class figure skater. Only with the help of those who love her (including the boy she once alienated) can she prove that she still has the potential to realize her dreams.

The new version of the film will be released in 2010 but no word yet if it will be a theatrical or DVD release.

Your Chance to Reminisce

If you missed any of the coverage this season, it is not too late to get up to date on the happenings in the sport of figure skating on the competitive circuit and the professional arena. Want to read about 2009 World silver medalists Joannie Rochette's thoughts as she started off her season with a win at Skate Canada or 2008 World champion Jeffery Buttle's feelings on his retirement? Want to catch up on all of 1979 World pairs champion Tai Babilonia's columns with the sport's legends? Did you miss any competition news or Stars on Ice's premier?

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We traveled the globe to bring you the news and views from the top of the sport. The latest issue of International Figure Skating magazine, which features Carolina Kostner, is available NOW! Our issue with the 2009 World Championships coverage is due out in mid-April. For the low price of $25 (U.S.), you will have access to all online back issues. To subscribe, click here or email customer service.