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Devoted this year entirely to my skating
Updated: Thursday August 09, 2001 3:22 PM
Figure skater Michael Weiss is a two-time U.S. national champion. In 1999, he became the first skater to land a quadruple toe loop in world championship competition. Now, the 24-year-old Fairfax, Va., native is training for the 2002 Olympic Games. Check out Weiss' diary on CNNSI.com as he prepares for Salt Lake.
August 8, 2001 I'm excited for this chance to share my experiences with all of you as I prepare for the 2002 National Championships in Los Angeles and the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. While I certainly didn't think so at the time, the stress fracture I suffered last season is actually turning out to be a blessing. It has provided me with a new motivation to regain my national title, a title I proudly held in 1999 and 2000. A disappointing fourth-place finish at this year's National Championships, held in Boston in January, prevented me from competing in the World Championships. This, combined with a shortened "John Hancock Champions on Ice" tour, allowed me to vacation earlier in the year. It certainly wouldn't have been my first choice, but it did allow me to get started on training for the 2002 Olympic season earlier than my normal schedule would have allowed. So the good news is that I'm "in competition shape" much sooner than I have ever been. My new short and long programs have been choreographed, and I'm feeling pretty comfortable with both of them. My wife, Lisa, began the choreography of the two programs in April. In May, Mathew Gates came out from Dallas to work on three footwork steps for my short and long programs. Mathew was a member of the 1997 and 1999 World Team as an ice dancer, and has worked with me for the past two years. I always admired his footwork, and was thus anxious for the opportunity to glean some of his expertise. I had the occasion to debut my new programs on July 20-21 at the Wissahickon Summer Skating Competition. This was an important opportunity for me because it allowed me to do a dry run through both programs before my Olympic season gets underway in September. I skated two solid programs and had a chance to perform for a number of respected world-class judges. Performing before an audience and judges is inherently different than skating a program at my home rink in Fairfax, Virginia, and I did discover that in performance there were a couple of things with which I wasn't entirely comfortable. I am currently tweaking my programs, making a few minor changes so that I will be more comfortable at my next event ... the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia, in early September. I have devoted this year entirely to my skating, training well and staying focused. I never want to look back and say, "I wish I had done more that Olympic year." My training has been disciplined and I have gained confidence as the months roll by. -- Michael
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