Snapple Refresher Skate

	The Snapple Clinic took place at Seven Bridges Arena on Labor Day. Besides Ilia, also participating were Tara Lipinski, Rudy Galindo, Damon Allen, Steve and Danielle Hartsell, Jamie Silverstein, Justin Pekarek, Suzanna Szwed, and many big-name coaches such as Kathy Casey, Craig Maurizi, Mary Lynn Gelderman, Igor Sphilband, Susie Wynne-Barth, Johnny Johns, and Janet Champion.
The clinic started at 8AM--the kids began arriving at 7AM to register. I was initially told the "stars" would arrive around 10AM. The first train on the holiday didn't get me there until 9:40AM,and when I arrived, I found out that, due to a flight mix-up, Ilia would not arrive until noon.
	I have helped organize and run a lot of events, so I'm usually pretty critical of these things. But not so here. The clinic was very well organized. Because there were 260 kids in attendance (and a whole lot of parents), it was essential that things be kept in control and moving. And for the most part, they were. At any given time, there were two jump sessions (Johnny Johns, Mary Lynn Gelderman, and/or Kathy Casey); a spin session (Janet Champion), a "quality of skating" (stroking movements) session (Igor Sphilband, pictured at left), and a choreography session (Susie Wynne-Barth) all going on simultaneously. And that was just the on-ice sessions.
In addition, off-ice sessions included sports psychology (mental preparation and training), dance, nutrition, conditioning, and (in the morning) a series of "meet the stars" sessions in which the kids could ask questions of Rudy and Tara (since Ilia had not yet arrived) and get their autographs, thus helping to lessen the demand for autographs at the on-ice sessions. A very good plan, in my estimation. (Actually, most of the few problems seemed to be caused by parents encouraging their kids to ask for autographs at an improper time, to go stand near the "star" so the parent could take a picture, etc.) The kids, for the most part, seemed to take the instruction quite seriously.
	The schedule for the skaters was a bit more difficult than the kids'. Each session was 40 minutes; the skaters spent 20 minutes with one group and then 20 minutes with another, so they were pretty much in constant motion. Even with built-in rest periods, they must have been pretty tired. I did notice that Ilia (at least) was given a minder who came to take him from session to session and remind him where he was going and what he would do when he got there. A good idea. All of the "star" skaters did take their clinic responsibilities very seriously, and it was interesting to watch them interact with the kids. (Danielle Hartsell, for example, seemed to just adore the youngest ones, while Ilia seemed to relate better to the ones who were a bit older.)
It was also interesting to watch the skaters interact with the various coaches. Ilia seemed to talk the most to Igor, which seemed only natural, but he also got on quite well with all the other coaches, each of whom had his or her own approach to handling the celebrities. Some used them as models; others let the stars pretty much take over the session when they joined it. There was also one big Q&A session right after lunch, which Ilia, Rudy and Tara did with Kathy Casey moderating. Some of Ilia's answers: Favorite program: Aladdin (FS) in Edmonton. Regular training schedule: 4 hours on ice, 2 hours off ice, 1 hour ballet.
	More answers from the session-- Most difficult jump--the loop was the last jump he learned, and the triple loop was the most difficult for him. But he also said (and Kathy Casey seconded) that you have problems with just about all the jumps at one time or another. Favorite move--triple axel/triple toe Where does he keep his medals? At first he travelled with them, but now they hang on his wall Favorite vacation spot--Hawaii Favorite foods--Russian food, sushi (or whatever he's in the mood for) (This photo is from one of Igor's stroking & movement sessions--my favorite session of them all. Just beautiful.)
It was a long day, and the stars were supposed to be done at 6:20PM, followed by a wrap-up for everyone in the big rink and dismissal at 6:30PM. Instead, Ilia elected to make up for his absence in the morning by stationing himself in the snack bar and signing autographs for almost 2 hours, until every last child (and a few parents) had gotten at least one autograph (many got two--one on an IFS photograph that IFS provided, and one on a t-shirt or program) and had his or her photo taken with Ilia. An exhausting day for all concerned, but a great success, I think.

Emma would like to thank Craig Maurizi for allowing her to photograph, the Krew for their
enthusiasm and encouragement, and Ilia for being such a great subject!

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