Skater picture with a cute story....
I had never heard of Hann-McCurdy and Coreno before this year's Skate America. There, I really liked their free skate, even though I could see their technical flaws. During the free dance zam break, they were out in the crowd talking and signing some autographs, so I went over to tell them that myself and who I was sitting with, we had liked them best so far. Mike Coreno smiled and said thank you, and we talked a few more minutes. Later that day, after the dance event (and that amazing dance by Denkova/Staviski), I saw them again, and he smiled and I said, "Ok, maybe you were my second favorite then!" He laughed and said that was still good, and we talked a few more minutes. He said they would be at Skate Canada, just as observers, and "maybe we'll see you there".
So FFWD to Skate Canada....on the last day of competition, I did see them there, and they both stopped me and said hi, and we talked and I wished them good luck in France. Saw him after the exhibition, and said, "Ok, with all this talking to you, I still never got a good photo, may I please take a picture?" No clue where Allie was, but I took a very nice photo of Michael, and then he pulled out his digital camera and asked my friend to take a photo of the two of us together. I was thinking, oh my, why on earth would you want that??
Anyway, now I've found out. Last week, in my email, I got a nice e-card for Christmas from him, and another email saying "check out this link, and happy holidays". What a sweetie!
So, they have a fan for life now, and I have a (terrible) picture online somewhere with Michael Coreno!
http://www.skatetoday.com/alliemichael/galleryphotopagefan2.htm