Figure skating fans from across the Globe are focusing their attention on Boston this week. The sport’s world championships kick off in the city today. And American fans are hoping the current U.S. champ – 20 year old Gracie Gold – can live up to her last name.
Gracie Gold greeted four journalists who waited eagerly with notepads in hand to pelt the figure skating champion with questions.
“How old are you guys?" she asked.
The answer - they range in age from six to eight years old. They’re reporting for the newspaper at their Watertown, Massachusetts elementary school .
“What’s your favorite move?" a student asked.
"Well, that’s really hard to pick just one," Gold told the girl. "But my favorite jump is called a triple lutz jump."
Another asked how many hours a day Gold practices. The answer - three to four hours a day on the ice. A third student asked if Gold has set any records in skating. She has, and this week in Boston, she’s hoping to set more.
At a practice, Gold performed her long program to Stravinsky’s “The Firebird,” landing those triple lutzes with a grace that overshadows the incredible athleticism each jump takes. She wasn't the only one on the ice. Darting and spinning around her were teammates Mirai Nagasu and Ashley Wagner, as well as a trio of Japanese skaters. As they warmed up, Gold sized up the other skaters. She’s ranked fifth in the world, but two of the Japanese women are ranked above her. No U.S. woman has made it to the medals podium at the Worlds in a decade. But Gold said she’s not focused too much on that.
“I would feel honestly more stressed if we had 10 years of medalists in a row, and you’re like, ‘don’t ruin the streak,’” Gold said.
Not only are the Worlds in the United States this year, they’re in the city where Gold was born. And Boston’s also where she won her first national championship in 2014.
“I figure that it can’t hurt," she said. "You know, who knows if the hometown advantage is real or not. But I feel like I’ll just - can take everything I can get.”
Among the people cheering Gold on at the worlds this week is her twin sister, Carly, who’s also a figure skater. Carly qualified for her first U.S. championship this year, so she was there to share in celebrating Gracie’s win. She said she’s excited for her sister’s success.
“For this competition I am totally good being in the stands cheering as loud as I can,” Carly said.
“She could take it all if she skated what’s she’s capable of," said their mom, Denise. "But that’s the trick about skating – doing it when it matters.”
That is the trick. It takes an enormous amount of focus to bring it all together at once. Gold said every time she goes out there, even doing a routine she’s practiced thousands of times, it’s always different. There’s a different crowd. Maybe it’s a different country. Maybe she’s feeling a bit off that day.
“It’s all about adapting and readjusting, literally every second of the program," she said. "You know, you have to stay focused to do your next jump. And then, whatever happens, you have to leave it there, because you’re on to your next element.”
It’s a great life lesson, even if you never put on skates.
Gold is ranked fifth in the world right now, but the defending champion from Russia didn’t qualify for this year’s World Championships, moving Gold up to the fourth ranked skater competing. But she won’t be content with fourth place.
Former Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski says a medal at Worlds this year isn’t just a maybe for Gracie Gold – it’s hers to lose.
