Above: Richard Walin, Elaine Larson and Kimm Walin at the 2019 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah
By Aviva M. Cantor
Now in its 30th iteration, the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships is known for high-stakes competition, bucket-list achievements, unforgettable moments and unmatched camaraderie.
For the multigenerational adult skating family of Elaine Larson, Kimm Walin and Richard Walin, the competition will be a long-awaited sentimental moment after spending decades on the ice together.
“My dad, Richard, played hockey and took some ice dance classes in college,” Larson said. “As a true Minnesota family, we went outdoor skating in the winter. I ended up really liking it and started Learn to Skate. My dad decided to join me.”
Elaine’s mom, Kimm, added: “I got a phone call from a mystery woman looking to skate with Richard. I told him, ‘You aren’t skating with anyone but me!’ My daughter Mariane and I joined Elaine and Richard on the ice.”
This will be Kimm and Richard’s fourth Adult Championships, as well as their first time in the centennial pairs event. It will be Elaine’s 16th Adult Championships, and she will compete in masters emotional performance II. All three will represent the Starlight Ice Dance Club.
“I did my first Adult Championships with my parents in 2007,” Elaine said. “I’m so excited to have the Adult Champs back in Minnesota, and to share the local magic with others. Our adult skating community has grown in recent years.”
After a series of health issues in the family, they’re grateful to be able to compete.
“It was discovered in September that I had a subdural hematoma,” Richard said. “Emergency surgery ensued, and I was informed that I wouldn’t skate again. I proved the surgeon wrong, and he cleared me to live my life with no restrictions.”
Kimm added, “Prior to Richard’s surgery, Mariane sustained a potentially life-ending brain injury in the summer of 2022. We are forever grateful for the great brain surgeon who saved both Richard and Mariane.”
Meanwhile, Elaine is recovering from knee surgery after an injury sustained in the summer of 2023. She returned to the ice in December, and while she won’t be able to perform jumps, she looks forward to participating on home ice.
Local Intel
As lifelong Minnesotans, Elaine, Kimm and Richard are excited to welcome friends from near and far. The Twin Cities are filled with many rinks, performing arts venues, beautiful parks and public art for athletes to explore.
“Visit the famous cherry in the spoon sculpture — it’s an iconic Minneapolis landmark,” Elaine said. “If you’re a Peanuts fan, you can hunt for Snoopy statues throughout the Twin Cities.”
Additionally, the whole family recommends grabbing a drink from the Minnesota-based chain, Caribou Coffee. Elaine suggests the Campfire Mocha, Kimm’s go-to is the Caramel High Rise, and Richard likes the Mint Condition.
What to Watch for This Year
The 2025 Adult Championships includes 11 championship events: championship masters junior-senior women and men, championship masters intermediate-novice women and men, championship adult gold women and men, championship adult silver women and men, championship masters pairs, championship adult dance and championship adult solo dance.
The competition also includes singles, pairs, partnered dance, solo dance and showcase events which don’t require qualification. This will be the first year of IJS judging for the championship adult, adult gold, and adult pre-gold solo dance events.
The competition will feature defending champions Kristina Struthwolf-Leato, Michael Solonoski, Cassandra McNulty, Meghan Lapointe and Jennifer Freedman and Oleg Voyko. It will also feature two reigning champions who moved up to new levels: Orca Sauer and Tyler Thames.
The seven Adult Championships “Lifers” (Colleen Conroy, Julie Gidlow, Ted Gradman, Walter Horton, Angela Prevost, Thom Mullins and Dorothy Ray) are registered to compete in their 30th Adult Championships.
They will be joined by “Platinum Lifetime” competitors Beth Delano and Autumn Allison, as well as six new inductees: Richard Breitweiser, Tara Cioppa, Elizabeth McGlauflin, Melissa Pepling, Kimberly Sailer and June Smith.
A livestream will be available on the U.S. Figure Skating YouTube Channel and results can be viewed here.
