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USFSA Adult Training Camp

June 30, 2004
Article © Gary Anolik

On June 26th and 27th 2004, the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) held their annual Adult Training Camp. For the third straight year, the event was held in Hackensack, N.J. at the Ice House. Approximately 100 adult skaters came from 20 states and Canada to learn skating skills from Olympic and National champions and coaches.

Attending the Adult camp was a little like being in a six-ring circus, with the attendees enthusiastically performing in each one of the rings. Each day, there were eight 45-minute sessions beginning at 8:00 a.m. and wrapping up at 5:00 p.m. Attendees were broken up into groups based on skill, each being given a different order of classes.

Some groups began upstairs at the state-of-the-art workout center, where Tatiana Droutchinina led a stretching class. Jennifer, a student from Stowe, Massachusetts said, "I was stretched in ways that I thought I could never be stretched."

"I love working with adults because they are the most appreciative people," Droutchinina said. "They try to learn everything that I can teach." Tatiana has coached numerous Olympic dance and partner teams.

At Rink One, Robin Wagner could be found giving her conditioning class. The class looked like an aerobics class on ice, with Wagner playing the part of the aerobics teacher. Skating around with the participants as they raced around the rink, one could hear Wagner shouting, "Only two more minutes, think how good you will feel in two minutes!" Wagner is best known for coaching Sarah Hughes to an Olympic title and now coaches World Silver medalist Sasha Cohen.

Carol from Morgantown, West Virginia said she "loved skating with Robin." Nonetheless, she was too tired for the next class.

On Rink Two, those who wanted to learn dance moves worked with Peter Tchernyshev. Tchernyshev is one half of the five time US National skating team, and a former Olympian. "I think the best part of my experience is watching the joy the adult skaters get from this camp," said Tchernyshev. "It brings me back to the reason why we all stepped on the ice for the first time. It was for the fun and joy and that is what these students bring to this camp each year."

In the afternoon, John Zimmerman (part of the former US National Pairs team and fifth in pairs in the 2002 Olympics) joined Tchernyshev in the dance moves class. Organizers described that class as "the most attended class." Onlookers for that class included 1994 Olympic Gold medalist Oksana Baiul.

Many of the skaters went over to Rink Three or Rink Four where various classes, like spins, Axels, toe jumps, moves in the field, and power stroking were being offered. Depending on the time of day that a skater went to their class, they could be instructed by former Italian champion and Olympian Sylvia Fontana, two-time Olympic gold medalist in pairs Artur Dmitriev, or John Zimmerman. Sylvia and John also gave a class in preparing for a competition. They spoke about how they prepare both physically and mentally, and told stories about competitions.

"I love teaching at the adult school," John Zimmerman said. "They are motivated and want to learn. They have so many other things in their life to do, and for the adults to take the time out and come to a school like this, shows how dedicated they are to skating." Zimmerman and his wife, Sylvia Fontana, run a skating clinic across the country called "Reach Your Dreams."

When asked how she liked teaching at the Adult Camp, Fontana replied, "The adults are very passionate about skating, and so am I, so we feel this immediate connection. They have an honest love for the sport."

"I love the enthusiasm," said Robin Wagner when asked about the camp. "They just want to soak up everything." Wagner was the director of this camp, and she did not disappoint anyone. She spent time talking to each student one on one. Lisa, from Richmond, Va. said, "This was a great opportunity. I am a coach, and to learn from another great coach was all I could ask for."

Also at the camp, was the head of the Ice House, Craig Maurizi. Best known for coaching Tara Lipinski, he now runs the Ice House that attracts skaters from all over the world, and produced gold medalists like Sarah Hughes. He echoed his fellow participants about the camp. "The best part is the enthusiasm," Maurizi said. "We've been lucky enough to host this for the past three years. We have a lot of talent in this area and I hope we can host it in the future."

On the afternoon of the second day, Sasha Cohen joined the camp. She spent time with each group, talking about some aspect of skating, showing various moves. After the last session, which was a question and answer session, Sasha sat at a table, pulled a chair up next to her, took a picture and talked with every single attendee at the camp. It looked like kids lining up to see Santa Claus, but for this group, this was better than Santa, it was Sasha.

At the end of the camp all of the participants asked questions to the incredible talent they had as teachers. Also joining the group was US Pairs Champions Rena Inoue and John Baldwin. Most of the questions focused on adult training, preparing for competition and on the new scoring system. All the participants agreed that the new scoring system is an improvement. Artur Dmitriev brought up the point that there are fourteen judges, but a computer only selects nine. What happens if nine judges vote a skater for first place and five vote against a skater? Then those five get picked for the final scoring. Is that fair? Sasha said that exact situation happened to her in a Grand Prix event.

Wagner spoke about coping with nerves before a competition. She said that being nervous is part of a performance and it needs to be practiced. A skater needs to try to duplicate the situation they will be in before a performance. This includes dressing the same way one would for a competition. They should warm up, then stand to the side, and then perform.

As great as the talent was in the teaching ranks, this camp was about the students. Harold from Cambridge, N.Y. came to the camp for the first time this year. He is 69. "I am loving it," he said. "I am trying things for the first time with Peter, and it's great."

Ellen, from San Francisco, said that she "loved being with adults." This comment was agreed to by many of the students standing near her. Many of the adults had complained that at the local rinks, they had to share time with children who had different training needs. Here the teachers addressed adult concerns.

Karen from Va. said that she learned so much. "All the teachers were so nice and they were very interested in adults. And you learn from the best!"

As Robin Wagner bounced outside to go home, one student summed up the whole weekend to her, "This was great!"