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Tag: skating

  • Ashley Wagner Says “You Can’t Just Be A Zombie”

    Twenty-two-year-old U.S. figure skater Ashley Wagner is a world-reknown athlete who knows how to thrill and entice a crowd. The talented skater coins herself as “Figure skater. Two-time US National Champion. Ice cream enthusiast” on her Twitter account. Wagner recently explained the importance of maintaining a unique balance in order to become a champion capable of performing memorable ice-skating routines. In order to captivate an audience, a skater must adhere to technical knowledge and guidelines as well as showcasing an individual personality. Wagner understands this balance all too well.

    In a recent interview Wagner shared her thoughts on figure skating. “It is difficult because in a way to put on a performance you have to be emotional, you can’t just be a zombie out there or it will come across that way. It is about finding that happy medium of emoting enough so that the audience can really enjoy your performance and staying technical enough so that you can really just get the job done. The fighting spirit comes out in the pieces of music that I choose. I like to choose stronger pieces of music and honestly I like to become somewhat of a vicious character in my program. These characters that I take on fight for what they want and that’s really what I identify with,” she said.

    Though the Olympics can bring out the competitive nature in athletes, Wagner has learned that the true success of any athlete is achieved when challenging oneself. “In this crazy, crazy world of figure skating it is easy to focus on a name or a target, but when you are going after someone it really only holds you back from what you are capable of yourself. I am focusing on challenging myself and making myself better. I want to put out a program that will do the fighting for me.”

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ashley Wagner Makes Changes For Sochi

    Ashley Wagner Makes Changes For Sochi

    Many people wondered if Ashley Wagner would make it to the Olympics and when she did, many said she didn’t deserve to be there. Ashley has been in Sochi for a while now and as she waits to compete, she continues to practice and train more than ever. By now, Ashley has her routines down pat, but she still needs to perfect them. Ashley is a tough competitor and knows what it takes to win and if that means making some last minute changes, she will do just that.

    Ashley recently decided to change her music for Sochi to something she felt more comfortable with and was able to relate to better. She had originally decided to skate to Rome and Juliet but has now changed it to a song she used last year, Samson and Delilah.

    “This is the program that raises the hair on my arms,” she said, admitting she could not relate to Juliet’s character. “I’m so passionate about skating, and I just can’t imagine a single person in my life making me go that crazy for them,” Ashley continued. “She just seemed a little bit irrational to me. Juliet is delicate and soft and sweet. And I am not a sweet competitor. I’m vicious. I can be nice off the ice, but on the ice, that’s not where it’s time to make friends.”

    Ashley’s music isn’t the only thing that has changed for Sochi, she also changed her entire style of training, begging her coach to be hard on her.

    “After nationals, I said, `Tell me what to do, just make me someone worthy of being at the Olympic Games.” Ashley said.

    The hard work has paid off so far, and Ashley claims to have lost 3lbs already and is able to get hire on her jumps.

    Ashley is currently preparing for the short program which will take place this weekend.

    Do you think Ashley Wagner has what it takes to win the gold at the Olympics?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons.