By Katrina Burch
Special to Figure Skaters Online
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Ballroom dancer and figure skating enthusiast Katrina Burch has covered Dancing with the Stars for Figure Skaters Online and returns to cover the first season of Skating with the Stars. Here are her initial thoughts on the couples before the show debuts on November 22.
Celebrity: Bethenny Frankel
Fame: Reality television star from “Real Housewives of New York” and “Bethenny Getting Married”
Professional Partner: Ethan Burgess
Accomplishments: Five-time competitor at the U.S. Championships and three time medalist in pair skating
Thoughts: I don’t know her professional partner well but its going to take me a lot to not want to strangle this women. She is so annoying and her voice irritates me.
Celebrity: Jonny Moseley
Fame: Freestyle skier who won moguls gold at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games
Professional Partner: Brooke Castile
Accomplishments: 2007 U.S. Champion, 2010 U.S. Championship bronze medalist and a two-time World team member in pair skating
Thoughts: I’m sooo excited for him! Not only is he good looking but he’s an athlete and he’s got a great partner!
Celebrity: Rebecca Budig
Fame: Soap star from ABC’s All My Children
Professional Partner: Fred Palascak
Accomplishments: Fourth in junior pairs at 1995 U.S. Championships
Thoughts: Again I don’t know her professional partner but she’s attractive and I think she may be the underdog
Celebrity: Brandon Mychal Smith
Fame: Star of Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance
Professional Partner: Keauna McLaughlin
Fame: Two-time U.S. Champion, 2010 Four Continents Championship silver medalist and 2007 World Junior Champion in pair skating
Thoughts: I don’t know who the celebrity is but he looks young. That may help him and I think he may be like Kyle Massey on Dancing with the Stars.
Celebrity: Sean Young
Fame: Actress from Blade Runner and Young and the Restless
Professional Partner: Denis Petukhov
Accomplishments: Member of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team in ice dance
Thoughts: I have no idea who this celebrity is. If they’re an icon should I know who they are? Oh well, she has a great partner!
Celebrity: Vince Neil
Fame: Rock star
Professional Partner: Jennifer Wester
Accomplishments: U.S. Championship competitor and 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy Champion in ice dance
Thoughts: Vince is the huge long shot of the season and I frankly think he’ll be the first to go.
My finals predictions
1st: Jonny Mosely
2nd: Rebecca Budig
3rd: Brandon Mychal Smith
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Photo courtesy of ABC
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