Stars On Ice

Figure Skaters glide across the ice in Lake Placid, NY.

Story by Amanda DeLosh
Photos courtesy of Stars on Ice

Lake Placid, NY, is a small athletic town nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.  Enthusiastic winter athletes come here from all over to ski, snowboard, skate, or just take in the beautiful sites.
           
Lake Placid is known for the 1980 Olympic Winter games. Many may recall one of the greatest moments in sports history, Miracle on Ice, happening in this tiny but exciting town.
Yet, hockey is not the only sport that glides across the ice of the Olympic Arena. Stars on Ice, a tour created by one of the best known figure skaters of all time, Scott Hamilton, takes place here once a year.

Scott Hamilton, best known for doing back flips on ice, created this show in 1986. Before Stars on Ice, the only professional show available was the Ice Capades and Ice Follies. These skaters were not allowed as much freedom to show off their many talents, and that’s when Stars on Ice was created. “We were founded by Scott Hamilton, and this is our 24th season this year,” says Jennifer Cosgrove from the pubic relations department of Smucker’s Stars on Ice. She goes on to say, “We visit 40 cities in the U.S, and the tour also goes to Japan and Canada.”

Stars on Ice can sometimes be compared to Disney on Ice, but these skaters dress up like different characters from famous Disney movies. “Disney on Ice is a lot more family oriented,” says Ashley Ashwood, who has gone to both shows before and says they are different. “Anyone can have fun there, but Stars on Ice is kind of a little more serious,” says Ashwood. Stars on Ice has an ensemble of professional figure skaters. Participants perform solos, and group numbers, showing off their many spectacular talents.

“Being a figure skater myself, having the tradition of attending Stars on Ice each year, it allows a stronger bond between us,”

Every year the show will change. “Each year the skaters are different, we have different scenes and different casts,” says Cosgrove. “It started off with a smaller cast and we visited a handful of cities, and through the years it has progressed.”

Tiffany Savage is a figure skater from Massena, NY, and had the opportunity of attending Stars on Ice. “I can recall the first experience of walking into the arena and the place was crowded and the air was frigid, and the first performance was a large group. They were very majestic, and looked so elegant,” she says.

Olympic, World, and National champions take the ice and present a spectacle both inspiring and exciting to watch. “This year we have some of the biggest names, (in skating) Evan Lysacek, we have Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, Sasha Cohen, Michael Weiss and Todd Eldridge and some more major names as we approach the Olympics,” says Cosgrove.

The show allows fans to see their favorite skaters up close. One of the best parts about this show is the seating. “My mother had bought tickets where we were in the first row and skaters were right in front of me. It was simply spectacular,” Savage says. These special seats are located directly on the ice. Skaters then get the opportunity to interact with the crowd, making it feel like they are part of the show.

"but I think the older you get, the more you can appreciate the efforts and story they are trying to portray.”

With the cast changing each tour, there have been many different names that have shown their grace on the ice. Some include Tara Lipinski, Kristi Yamaguchi, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Sarah Hughes, Alexei Yagudin, and Kurt Browning.

With the bright neon lights, props, beautiful yet fun costumes, entertaining music, and exquisite talent, Stars on Ice will definitely establish great memories. It is not a competition, and it is not a corny ice show, it's a time for skaters to interact with their fans.

For some this may be the first time seeing their favorite skater, and being able to watch them perform live can be a surreal moment for those passionate fans. They get to witness the thrill of skating with a fun twist-not having any pressure of losing the gold medal if you fall. The crowd still applauses, and the show goes on without upset or tears.

As Savage recalls her memories, she says, “Although it is not as ‘child’ oriented, it is more of a show to entertain an older audience. It is enjoyable for all ages, but I think the older you get, the more you can appreciate the efforts and story they are trying to portray.” She continues saying, “For example, they may have a certain era as the theme, or a particular group, in this they create comedy which is not only skating, but a story.”

However, there is always laughter and maybe even a few tears from the emotionally stunning performances.  A couple of years ago Sasha Cohen performed a number called “Enchanted.” No skates were involved except ballet slippers and a beautiful dress.  She showed off her amazing flexibility as three male skaters from the cast lifted, threw, and twisted her around the rink. Last year in Lake Placid, Sasha Cohen stunned the crowd again with another moving performance. She skated to Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.” The crowd went completely silent as she glided across the ice as graceful as a swan. The emotion shown on her face could be seen from miles away. Her dress shimmered on the ice, and the spotlight followed her every move. When she completed her program the crowd stood up and erupted into cheers and applause. Many may make a connection to her most recent Olympic short program routine that won not only the crowds hearts, but also the judges.

“The skaters love being there, it’s a tradition,”

Stars on Ice is not only for figure skaters, but also for skating fans and families. It is a time when skaters and fans come together to appreciate the art of skating. “Being a figure skater myself, having the tradition of attending Stars on Ice each year, it allows a stronger bond between us,” Savage says.

With a show like this it can be difficult to pick just one thing that is most memorable. Savage says, “Well, I enjoy the fact that it is a time for my mother and I to have time between just us. Having such busy schedules it is a time to spend together and enjoy the beauty of a sport we both love.”

However, this year Stars on Ice will unfortunately be taking a break from its winter season because of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. “We pushed everything back this year because of the Olympics,” says Cosgrove, who continues saying, “We wanted to wait so they could focus on training.” However, for those who miss the Lake Placid show, the tour will start in April 2010 and will go through the end of May.

Even though Lake Placid has been the tour opener since its beginning, it will hopefully return next winter for families. The show has become a family tradition for some during the Thanksgiving weekend holiday. “Each year we have the tradition of leaving early enough to enjoy dinner and then enter the arena ready for an eventful evening," says Savage.

Like many skaters, the dreams of once meeting your favorite figure skater is a once in a lifetime experience. Savage was able to do this in a very sneaky way. Having been familiarized with the ins and outs of the arena, she says, “With this knowledge, my mother thought it would be a great idea to give me permission to wander around, and I was caught by a security guard in the process of receiving Yuka Satos’ autograph.”

Although she was caught, the memories of this show are something she will never forget. Savage says, “Although it was technically wrongdoing, it is by far the best evening, and the bonus, I got an autograph.”

“We do hope to come back,” says Cosgrove on returning to the Lake Placid tour spot. “The skaters love being there, it’s a tradition,”

Will you consider attending the Spring 2010 Stars On Ice tour?