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Looking Ahead

Abbott steps up difficulty in pursuit of World team berth

Reigning U.S. Championship pewter medalist plans quad toe in short program, free skate

Jeremy Abbott finished eighth at Skate Canada and fourth at NHK Trophy earlier this season

(January 8, 2008) — Jeremy Abbott would not trade his career for that of any other skater, not even his longtime idol Robin Cousins, the 1980 Olympic Champion.

Abbott, 22, is satisfied with his on ice accomplishments. In two seasons, he went from the 2005 U.S. Junior Men's Champion to the fourth best senior man in the country. He also won the 2006 Finlandia Trophy and placed third at the 2007 Four Continents Championship.

But Abbott wants more. With the help of his three coaches and choreographers four-time World Champion Kurt Browning and four-time U.S. Figure Skating Choreographer of the Year Tom Dickson, he spent the off season improving his artistry and stepping up his difficulty, all with the goal of making the World Championship team on his mind.

Fresh off an eighth place performance at November's Skate Canada, the first Grand Prix event of his career, and a fourth place finish at the NHK Trophy in December, Abbott is ready make his World Championship dreams a reality. He plans a quadruple toe, among other things, in both his short program and free skate at this month's U.S. Championships in St. Paul, Minn., where he aims to improve on last year's pewter medal.

As he crisscrossed the country and the world during his busy season, which included one competition in Canada and another two in Japan, Abbott sat down with Figure Skaters Online to answer questions from his fans.

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Jamie (Arizona, USA): Jeremy, you started your season at the International Counter Match in Yokohama, Japan. What was it like starting the season with an international team competition?
Jeremy: The team competition was such an honor to be invited to. It was amazing! I actually wrote about it in the journal section of my site.

Cathy (New Jersey, USA): What were your goals for the Grand Prix season?
Jeremy: My goals were to medal at Canada and Japan in order to make the Grand Prix Final. I did not achieve that in Canada or Japan. I learned so much there, and fully plan to medal next time.

Elizabeth (Quebec, Canada): Jeremy, I love you and am so excited that you skated in my hometown of Quebec for Skate Canada. How did you prepare for your first season on the Grand Prix?
Jeremy: I am training very hard this season, for the Grand Prix and beyond. I have really been working on the quad and the consistency of my programs.

Derek (Colorado, USA): Your Grand Prix debut is coming at Skate Canada where you'll compete against powerhouses like World Champion Brian Joubert and Olympic bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle. What are you hoping to get out of the event?
Jeremy: I want to show that I am just as much a powerhouse as the skaters you mentioned. I want to be in the hunt right along with them or above them.

Leah (Colorado, USA): You wanted to skate at the NHK Trophy this year and you were rewarded with your choice. Why is NHK so important to you?
Jeremy: Japan is always a place that I have wanted to visit. After just missing the world team last year I wanted my chance to go. Now I will have gone twice.

Jamie (Arizona, USA): How would you rate your first season on the Grand Prix?
Jeremy: My first season on the Grand Prix did not turn out how I wanted it to. I did learn so much and am so grateful for the experience!

Diane (New York, USA): Looking towards nationals, what do you think it will take for you to make the top three and grab a spot on the World team? Are you even giving thought to that right now?
Jeremy: I have been giving thought to that since my season ended last year. I have increased the difficulty of my programs, and I really stepped up my programs artistically. In order to make that world team I need to go out there and rely on the hard work that I have done, and really just go for it!

Devon (Virginia, USA): With your Grand Prix season behind you, what are you doing to prepare for nationals?
Jeremy: I am really working on my mind, and really preparing myself for any situation.

Jamie (Arizona, USA): What are your goals for nationals?
Jeremy: To be comfortable and relaxed so that I can skate the way that I train, and make
the world team.

Kate (Alaska, USA): Jeremy, this is going to be a season of wonderful things for you from the Grand Prix to hopefully the Worlds. What are you looking forward to most this season?
Jeremy: All of this is so new and exciting. I can't wait for it all to come. I am excited to take on each new challenge and really step up my game this season.

Lois (New York, USA): The past two seasons have been filled with a lot of lows and highs from not making it to nationals your first senior season to winning your first major international medal at 2007 Four Continents. How have those experiences influenced your preparations for this season?
Jeremy: All of it has taught me that my training and my preparation are most important. I have really learned what it means to train, and I know what it takes to compete and put out my best programs. I am thankful for every experience that I have had throughout my whole career they have all taught me something, and led me to where I am and where I plan on going.

Leah (Colorado, USA): Jeremy, your combination spins are dead center and you have mastered the emotional part of your music as evidenced in your "American Beauty" program last season. Will you be incorporating your quad into this year's competitions?
Jeremy: Yes, I plan to do the quad toe loop in both of my programs this season. The quad will be in both of my programs for nationals. My plan has not changed in that sense since the Grand Prix.

Sarah (Toronto, Canada): Jeremy, you worked with Kurt Browning on your short program for this season. Other than an amazing program, what did you take away from the experience with Kurt?
Jeremy: The general experience of getting to work with an icon of the sport is incredible. I came away from the experience with confidence and an increased sense of fun in my skating.

Dan (Michigan, USA): Tom Dickson's choreography really suits your skating. How often do you get to work with him since he is also based in Colorado Springs?
Jeremy: I work with Tom two times a week unless, of course, he is out of town.

Kathy (Colorado, USA): What is it like to train at the World Arena in Colorado Springs with so many accomplished skaters?
Jeremy: It's very motivating to work at the World Arena. The atmosphere is very competitive, but there is a great sense of camaraderie. We all push each other to be better. I wish I could have gotten the opportunity to skate at the original World Arena. It was such a huge part of skating history.

Abby (Ohio, USA): I've been cheering for you!
Jeremy: Well thank you so much! I really appreciate your support. It really means a lot to me.

Alan (Colorado, USA): Do you remember how old you were when you did your first double jump and which one was it?
Jeremy: I first learned my Double Salchow. I believe I was 7, but my memory is failing me in my old age so that may not be accurate.

Greg (Colorado, USA): Do you remember landing your first triple? I hope to work on my triples by the end of the year.
Jeremy: I learned my triple Salchow first. I landed it cleanly for the first time right after my 15th birthday.

Kathy (Colorado, USA): You seem to be good friends with a lot of the Team USA members. Who are you closest to on the national team?
Jeremy: On the national team, I suppose I would be closest to Ryan Bradley. We have been training together every day for the past eight years. It's been really fun getting to train with such a close competitor. We are very competitive with each other, but we can still remain friends.

Mary (Michigan, USA): Who is the skater you look up to most?
Jeremy: I admire many different skaters for many reasons. However, 1980 Olympic champion Robin Cousins was the inspiration for me to start skating.

Mary Lou (USA): If you could have the career of any other skater, who would you choose?
Jeremy: I would choose my own. It has been a long road, but I have enjoyed every moment of it, and I can't wait to see where it all is going to end up. Having said that, I would not mind having Michelle Kwan's endorsements.

Sandra (Florida, USA): When did you being skating?
Jeremy: My mother started taking me to the rink when I was 2. I started private lessons when I was 4.

Mary (Michigan, USA): What inspired you to a career in figure skating?
Jeremy: My mother would take me to public sessions, for fun, when I was 2. When I was 4 I saw Robin Cousins skate in a show in my home town, and I told her I wanted to do that.

Amanda (California, USA): What is one thing you hope to do in skating before you retire? I really hope that I can skate in the Olympics.
Jeremy: I really Hope to skate in the Olympics as well. I would like to be National Champion, as well as an Olympic and World medalist. Having that medal end up gold would be my preference though.

Brittany (North Carolina, USA): What are your goals for after you've finished skating?
Jeremy: Oh boy... one thing at a time. Well I would love to tour. I also would like to choreograph and finish school someday. Beyond that I really don't know. I have not given it a lot of thought.

Brooke (Washington, USA): What are you studying in college?
Jeremy: Well at the moment I am not studying anything. I have put off school in order to focus on my skating. I have found that I do not do well splitting my focus. I am much better when I completely give my all to something.

Abby (Massachusetts, USA): How do you balance school and skating?
Jeremy: I don't know. Ask Emily Hughes how she does it. When I was in high school it was not very difficult. My school worked very well with skaters. I only took between 3-5 classes. I would go to school in the morning then skate in the afternoon and do my homework at night. However, my skating has progressed a lot since I graduated. I do plan on finishing school at some point.

Mary (Michigan, USA): What do you like to do when you're not skating?
Jeremy: Eat. One of my favorite things to do is go to a great restaurant with my closest friends. I am also a champion sleeper. I really like to relax and take it easy. I enjoy spending time with my friends and going to movies.

Ericka (Illinois, USA): Jeremy, I really enjoyed watching you progress last season and I sincerely hope that you make the World team this year. Although I'm a big fan of your skating, my questions are about your tattoo. What is it? And does it have any special meaning?
Jeremy: It is a Chinese character for good luck and good fortune. It is on the back of my left shoulder. I really would like another one. If I got another one it would have to be more personal. Something original that is unique to me.

Linda (USA): What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Jeremy: Happy, Grumpy, Dopey, Bashful, Sneezy, Sleepy, and Doc! Hmmm... How about goofy, creative and reserved.

Erica (Illinois, USA): What would you name your autobiography if you wrote one?
Jeremy: Spork: I'm not a spoon. I'm not a fork... I just am!

Jen (Indiana, USA): If you could be any farm animal, which would you be and why?
Jeremy: I would not be a farm animal. I would be something a little more exotic. Maybe a Pigmy Marmoset, or a Luck Dragon like Falcor.

Jamie (Arizona, USA): Jeremy, your support group is called the Pigs Can Fly club. Where did the name for the group come from?
Jeremy: Pigs can fly sort of became my motto during the 2005 season, the year I won junior.. It basically means that anything is possible. My family got a hold of it, and now it has spiraled out of control. Pigs are flying everywhere. I created a monster.

Linda (USA): I recently joined the Pigs Can Fly fan club that your family started after seeing those amazing hats at nationals. What is it like to have such a supportive bunch behind you?
Jeremy: I love my family. I could not do any of this without them. I am so thankful to have such a loving and supportive group of people behind me whether I win or lose!

Floyd (USA): Can pigs fly Jeremy?
Jeremy: Well, scientists are currently working on breeding a pig with and eagle. They intend to name this hybrid animal a Peagle, which may be confused for a breed of dog. The results, however, have been pretty disastrous. At the moment pigs may not be able to fly, but I certainly can! I mean of course they can... anything is possible.

Jamie (Arizona, USA): Thanks for taking the time to answer questions from your fans Jeremy. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Jeremy: Thank you everyone.

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For more information on Jeremy Abbott, visit his official Web site Jeremy Abbott Online at www.figureskatersonline.com/jeremyabbott/. Fans can also join the Pigs Can Fly Club by visiting www.pcfclub.com.

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