Todd Eldredge Chat Transcript

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Posted: Thursday July 23, 1998 05:55 PM

Jamie Squire/Allsport

1998 U.S. National figure skating champion Todd Eldredge joined CNN/SI for an interactive chat with fans during his training for the Goodwill Games.

Host MHKing says:
Welcome to CNN/SI's live chat with Todd Eldredge. Say hello to Todd!

Host MHKing says:
1st Question: Todd, what do you envision for yourself in 10 years? Are you prepared for life after skating?

ToddEldredge says:
Over the next 10 years I'll probably end up doing various pro competitions and then touring with ice shows. I'll stay involved with skating in some form.

Host MHKing says:
Congratulations on being a great athlete... What programs do you plan on doing?

ToddEldredge says:
At Goodwill I'll be doing the same programs that I did at Worlds...in the future I'll try to explore different styles, different pieces of music.

Host MHKing says:
There are lots of rumors about whether or not you will compete at U.S. Nationals in 1999. What are your plans?

ToddEldredge says:
My plans are to not be there. I basically will be competing in the ISU Open events, but keep my eligibility, so that if I ever want to do the Olympics again I will have that opportunity.

Host MHKing says:
What will keep motivated until the 2002 Olympics? Is it the idea of winning an Olympic medal or is that you just love the competition of the skating?

ToddEldredge says:
There are a lot of things that could happen, if my body is up to it and I feel I can do well then I will give it a try.

Host MHKing says:
In regards to your success, what keeps you focused on your goals?

ToddEldredge says:
After any year you sit back and plan ahead..you figure out your schedule and set the events you want to be in and set your goals for each competition.

Host MHKing says:
From Haley Smith: I'm friends with your uncle Stan. Do you find it difficult to stay in touch with friends and family on a usual basis?

ToddEldredge says:
It's hard when you are traveling..I try to get to a phone...but we stay in touch and see how everyone is doing regularly.

Host MHKing says:
I¹ve yet to see anyone spin as fast as you AND stay as centered on the ice as you. Have you ever figured out just how fast you do spin?

ToddEldredge says:
I haven't...I've never had it tested...if you work hard you hope to make it faster and faster and keep it centered.

Host MHKing says:
From JaNs: What is your relationship with your fellow competitors?

ToddEldredge says:
Pretty good...most of the guys in the sport get along really well...we respect each other really well on the ice, off the ice we hang out...some of us even play golf together.

Host MHKing says:
At Skate America, I was so impressed when you competed and WON just a matter of moments after dislocating your shoulder. How are you doing? Are you back at 100 percent?

ToddEldredge says:
I think I am...that was an interesting competition...it made it more difficult. The shoulder is up to 90 - 100 percent and I should be fine.

Host MHKing says:
From bigbetty: What do you consider to be your best performance to date?

ToddEldredge says:
The long program at the '96 World Championships.

Host MHKing says:
JessM: Todd, what kind of music do you listen to off the ice?

ToddEldredge says:
Pretty much anything.....everybody has something good... I Iike classic rock, Pink Floyd, Elton John.

Host MHKing says:
From tbass: Are you planning on working with any new choreographers?

ToddEldredge says:
We haven't actually decided yet. We have to get the music organized and plan things out before we decide who to use for each program.

Host MHKing says:
From Sandra: Todd, if there were anything you could have done differently in the past season (in terms of your training or schedule), what would it have been?

ToddEldredge says:
I don't know that I would have done anything differently. We set up the schedule and we liked it. With the injury it made it more difficult, but that's the way things go. I wouldn't have changed much at all though.

Host MHKing says:
From Guest20132: Are you computer literate - are you aware of the tremdious fan base online and how do you feel about it? Do you surf the web? If so, what are your favorite sites?

ToddEldredge says:
I am computer literate and I carry a computer with me when I travel...I'm aware of the fan sites set up for me and I think it is great. When I go online I can find out a lot of things about how people are relating to my career.

Host MHKing says:
From Tkid: Please ask Todd what he thinks about the new OBO scoring system?

ToddEldredge says:
I really don't know that much about it. It is something that I'm not sure how it works right now...once it is put into use in competition, I think we'll get a better sense of how it works.

Host MHKing says:
From Heather: What makes you pick that music to skate to?

ToddEldredge says:
I go to a music store or listen to the radio, pick up CD's...there are also people who come to me, write to me suggesting music and I just look around. It takes a bit of searching for the right piece.

Host MHKing says:
From LML: How much time do you get to spend at home in the course of a year? Is it hard to be away from home so much?

ToddEldredge says:
It is and it isn't ... it's hard because you're always living out of a suitcase. I'm on the road about 6 months out of the year. I'd like to be at home more, but with the popularity of skating, there are more events to be at.

Host MHKing says:
From Minion: Do you ever get tired of skating all the time?

ToddEldredge says:
Some days I'd rather be on the golf course, but everybody feels that way sometimes. Most of the time I look forward to it.

Host MHKing says:
From lovlee: Have you ever considered writing a book about your career, and what would you call it?

ToddEldredge says:
I have. I almost tried it last year, but I don't feel my career is over yet. I don't think there is enough to put into it to make it worthwhile. As far as a title..I have no idea.

Host MHKing says:
From JaNs: Todd, this is about the quad. Since you haven't landed one in competion, will you be training it this season?

ToddEldredge says:
For sure. I am training it right now. I might give it a shot at the Goodwill Games. My training time has been limited, but I hope to keep trying it in competitions next season.

Host MHKing says:
We all know you love to hit the golf course when you aren't hitting those beautiful triple flip-triple toe combinations. So, a golf question...what is your best score ever in golf, and do you ever have time to do any celebrity golf tournaments?

ToddEldredge says:
My best score is a 73. As far as playing in tournaments...I just played in one last Monday, and I have a couple lined up including Scott Hamilton's.

Host MHKing says:
From JenG: Todd, what do you think you would be doing professionally if you hadn't gone into skating?

ToddEldredge says:
I don't know...with the interest that I have in golf, I think I might have gone into that. Maybe a different sport, I love to play all sports, but definitely something to do with sports. But not basketball, I'm not tall enough.

Host MHKing says:
From JessM: Do you read your fan mail? If so, is there anything memorable that you remember?

ToddEldredge says:
Almost too many to remember. Off the top of my head...I can't say, but I read it all. After the Goodwill Games I should get back to the stack that has built up.

Host MHKing says:
From tinabell: Of all the kind things people have said about you, what comments in particular do you cherish the most?

ToddEldredge says:
I guess I'd have to say that all the nice things people have said are in the same area....determined, serious about my work. But when I'm not on the rink I'm just a normal person.... that I take the time to say hi, sign an autograph. They take the time to come see me so I feel like I can give something back to them.

Host MHKing says:
From Bec-: Do you have a lot of free time when you're on the road to just relax?

ToddEldredge says:
Not a whole lot. When we are away for a competition we are busy the whole time. We have practice in the day, then resting a lot. During the summer we are doing a ton of shows so it seems we are always tired. We do try to mix it up with some golf though.

Host MHKing says:
Do you see the sport of figure skating moving more towards the technical and away from the artistic? If so, how do you think is the best way to maintain an appropriate balance between the two?

ToddEldredge says:
I guess I don't see it moving one way or the other...it's just a natural progression that it is getting more technical. But they seem to want to keep the artististry in the sport based upon the scoring and the marks.

Host MHKing says:
From SaBrady: Todd, is there a type of jump that you feel is more difficult than the rest?

ToddEldredge says:
Quad.....well as far as the triple it varies..some like edges better than toe jumps. For myself the Axel or the toe are the easiest, it varies from person to person

Host MHKing says:
Final question: What is your favorite piece of music that you've ever skated to?

ToddEldredge says:
I would have to say the music from "First Knight" that I won the World's to in '96, that might have something to do with it. In shows...a song by Andrea Bocelli.

ToddEldredge says:
Thanks everybody. If you watch the Goodwill Games, be sure to cheer for me in front of your TVs. I need all the encouragement I can get. Thanks again everybody!

Host MHKing says:
Thank you for joining us to chat with Todd. Keep your browser tuned to CNN/SI, and watch for more live chats coming soon!

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