I’ve always been a massive fan of figure skating, and always saw it as sort of ballet on ice – a marriage of extreme art and athleticism. There were not many ice skating rinks near me when I was growing up, so I took lessons in karate and other sports. Still, if I could ever learn how to do one sport well it would be ice skating. Growing up, there was really one name that I ever identified with ice skating and that was Kristi Yamaguchi. Kristi won the 1992 Olympic gold medal in women’s singles, so it was so inspiring to see her recently join the kids from the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club to share her experience on ice and teach them a few moves!
It was definitely a cold evening in the Bronx, though I have to admit, I was a little jealous watching the boys and girls lace up – imagine being able to skate and pick up a few tips from an olympian like Kristi?!
The Kips Bay Boys and Girls, bundled up in coats and hats from Walmart and P&G, skated with Yamaguchi before ending their evening on ice with a song Dreams – which they wrote and recorded with music legend Gladys Knight!
The event was made possible by Walmart and P&G – who are bringing this years American Legends of the Ice, be sure to tune in as it will be awesome! It’s airing on NBC Saturday February 1st at 2:30-4:30 EST (check your local listings for exact date and times)!