By Gina Capellazzi, website administrator
Header photo by Robin Ritoss
Figure Skaters Online is excited to welcome 2019 U.S. pewter medalist Hanna Harrell with the launch of her official website.
In January, Harrell finished in 4th place in her first U.S. Championships at the senior level and in March, competed in her first Junior World Championships, finishing in 7th place.
Harrell started the 2019-2020 with a 7th place finish at the Junior Grand Prix in Courchevel, France in August. Since then, she has been sidelined with a foot injury, causing her to withdraw from her second Grand Prix event and her first ISU Challenger event, the U.S. International Classic in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Harrell is coached by Olga Ganicheva and Aleksey Letov and trains in Plano, Texas.
Prior to her injury, Figure Skaters Online asked Harrell a few questions about the upcoming season, along with some fun ones.
Figure Skaters Online (FSO): Two-time Olympian and eight-time World competitor Misha Ge choreographed both your programs this year. What was it like to work with Misha? What kind of choreographer is he? What are your programs like and how did you come about choosing them?
Hanna: Working with Misha Ge was amazing! I have always looked up to him throughout his skating career, and it was such an honor (to work with him). He is an amazing choreographer, as well as an overall great teacher and person. We also worked on polishing up my skating skills, and he is very caring. The programs that he choreographed for me allow me to look like a mature and a stronger skater. I am so thankful that he is my choreographer, and I look forward to working with him again.
Figure Skaters Online (FSO): What are your goals this season?
Hanna: My goal is to make myself a stronger and more mature skater than last year. I want to grow from before and become an even better skater overall.
Figure Skaters Online (FSO): What is one thing that skating fans might not know about you?
Hanna: I used to do gymnastics! I did it until I was in Level 7. I’m also half-Japanese and I am fluent in Japanese as well.
Figure Skaters Online (FSO): If you could have a lesson with any skater, current or past, who would it be and why?
Hanna: If I could have a lesson with anyone, I would have to go with [two-time Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Champion] Evgenia Medvedeva. She is one of my favorite current skaters, and she would be able to teach me how training was in Russia and Canada. She is also an amazing jumper, as well as has amazing skating skills. There are many things that I would love to learn from her.
Learn more about Hanna at hannaharrell.figureskatersonline.com.
