By Abby Farrell
The June/July issue of SKATING magazine hits mailboxes this week. Here are five stories to check out.
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Celestial Orbit: Olympian Finds Success in the Entertainment Industry
2018 Olympic team event bronze medalist and 2016 U.S. men’s champion Adam Rippon has made quite a name for himself outside of the skating world since earning the title of America’s sweetheart prior to competing at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Since retiring from competition after the Olympics, Rippon has found success not only in choreographing, but as a television personality as well. He has appeared on “Dancing With the Stars” (which he won), “Pictionary” and “Name That Line.” Most recently, Rippon competed on FOX’s reality show “Stars on Mars”, which he also won. Rippon reflects how skating prepared him for a career in television, because of how much he relishes giving the audience a good performance.
Cleveland Rocks: Historic Performances, Long-lasting Bonds Highlight the 2024 Adult Championships
More than 450 competitors “rocked the rink” at the 2024 Prevagen U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. Skaters made history when Kristina Struthwolf-Leato earned the highest score ever achieved by a woman at a U.S. Adult Championships and 82-year-old Robert Cormier became the first male recipient of the Yvonne M. Dowlen Trophy. Each year the competition brings together members of the adult skating community to celebrate a lifelong love of skating.
‘Unbelievable’: Benoit Makes Broadway Debut
When Alex Benoit was in sixth grade, he created a playlist with the first song being one by Ingrid Michaelson. Several years later, when the 2017 U.S. pewter medalist in ice dance learned that Michaelson had written the music for a new musical adapted from the famous Nicholas Sparks novel, “The Notebook,” and that auditions were being held, he knew he had to be a part of it. After a month-long audition process, Benoit was officially asked to join the cast for the show’s run in Chicago. Following a successful run in Chicago with glowing reviews, the show moved to Broadway and Benoit made his Broadway debut in February of 2024. Looking back at his audition experience, Benoit recognizes how his skating and acting careers have intertwined, with skating teaching him how to be quick on his feet and acting helping to improve his skating artistry.
Giving Back: Princeton Students Making a Difference with Special Olympics
With the help of Princeton University figure skaters and hockey players, skaters with intellectual disabilities have found a new confidence through the Special Olympics skating program. Zachary Yaninek, a former U.S. Figure Skating national competitor and now a sophomore member of the Princeton University Figure Skating Club, started the program. Inspired by a therapeutic skating program at his home club and a desire to give back to the skating community, Yaninek helps participants learn to skate in a supportive and encouraging environment tailored to each individual’s goals, creating experiences that have been mutually beneficial for both participants and volunteers alike.
‘Such a Wow Moment’: Blue Hens Return to Top of Podium in Lake Placid
In Lake Placid, New York, at a venue that is known to many as the site of several historic winter sport moments like the iconic “Miracle on Ice” hockey game, the University of Delaware earned a record-tying seventh title at the National Intercollegiate Final in historic Lake Placid, New York. The Blue Hens are now tied with Boston University for the most titles. Rounding out the podium were Boston University and Dartmouth College in second and third, respectively. Three teams made their National Intercollegiate Final debut: University of Washington, Western Michigan University and University of Pennsylvania.
