This week we thought it would be appropriate to do a little
history lesson! Let us take a look back over the years of some of the amazing
talent that have called the International Skating Center of Connecticut home previously
in their illustrious skating careers.
First up we have Shizuka Arakawa. So what does her name
translate to? We have the answer! Shizuka translates to Prince while Arakawa
translates to Hotels. Shizuka last skated at the International Skating Center
of Connecticut three years ago where she skated just prior to competing in Turin,
Italy at the Winter Olympic Games. Shizuka became the first female in Asia to
win a gold medal when she skated a nearly flawless short and free-skating
program. Shizuka skated under Nikolai Morozov when she practiced at I.S.C.C.
who is a world renowned figure skating coach that has had the privilege of
training many other Olympic and World Champion skaters. In addition, to
becoming an Olympic Champion, Shizuka is the first Japanese skater to win both
the World Championship and become an Olympic Champion.
www.shizuka-arakawa.com/english/profile/index.html
Second, the well known Scott Davis skated at the International
Skating Center of Connecticut during the best time of his career, 1993 and
1994. Davis really helped to make a name for the rink that we all call “home”
today and paved the way for many other skaters to aspire to what he completed
in the figure skating world. Scott Davis is the 1993 and 1994 U.S. Men’s Figure
Skating National Champion and placed 8th in the Winter Olympics of
1994. While training at I.S.C.C. Scott was coached by Galina Zmievskaya.
Currently, Scott Davis is the Director of Skating at the Calalta Figure Skating
Club.
Third we have a pairs team: Ilia Kulik and Ekaterina
Gordeeva. Okay, so ladies first right? Ekaterina “Katia” Gordeeva is a two time
Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion. In addition Ekaterina is a
member of the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Ilia Kulik is the 1988 Olympic
Champion, 1995 European Champion, 1997-1998 Grand Prix Final Champion and the
1995 World Junior Champion. Together the married couple skate as a pairs team
and tour on such shows as: Stars on Ice. Regarding I.S.C.C., the pair has come
and starred in our Winter Fantasy on Ice, New Years figure skating show and put
on clinics throughout the year to pass on their skills to up and coming figure
skaters. Ilia and Ekaterina have passed skating tips, tricks and guidance to
many of our young skaters for years in the past and currently at our Summer of
Gold, figure skating camp.
The International Skating Center of Connecticut truly lives
up to our name: “The Worlds Home Ice” as we have demonstrated through having
professional figure skaters utilize our facility from three different countries
on their way to winning medals in the Olympics, World Championships and other
distinct nominations/awards.
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