Samantha Skavdahl, 14, is from Crescent Springs, KY.  Ted Masdea and Stephanie Miller are her coaches, while Valerie Cecil does her choreography.  She competes for the Northern Kentucky FSC and finished 6th in Novice Ladies Qualifying Group B at the 2003 Eastern Great Lakes Regional Championships in October 2002.  Skavdahl has also competed in pairs; she and partner Cole Davis finished 8th in Novice Pairs as the 2003 U.S. Championships, but have since dissolved their partnership.

Your name is Samantha E. Skavdahl. What does the “E” stand for?
The “E” in my name stands for Ellen.

When and how did you begin skating?
I was born with my feet turned in, so the doctors thought that figure skates would straighten my feet out and they did.  I began skating when I was 18 months old.  I started competing at the age of 3.

What are your long-term goals in skating and off the ice?
My on ice goals are to, of course, win the Olympics.  My off ice goal is to become an architect.

What are your goals for this coming season (2003-2004)?
For the coming season I hope to skate my best and perform to my full potential.

What music are you using?
My music selection is “Romeo and Juliet” and “Sleeping Beauty” for my long program, and for my short program I am not sure what it is called.

Will you be competing at any club competitions this summer?
I did Nashville [Editor’s Note: In May, Skavdahl won her Novice SP and FS groups], and am going to be at Troy [Ohio, July 10-13] and Colorado Championships [August 5-9], and I am not sure what else.

Do you intend to find a new pairs partner and to continue to skate pairs?
Yes, I am looking for a pair partner. I am not competing in pairs this year.

Do you have a most memorable or embarrassing skating moment?
My most memorable moments were when I won Eastern Great Lake Regionals two years in a row, Juvenile and Intermediate.  My most embarrassing moment was falling on a waltz jump in warm up once.

What is your favorite jump, spin and connecting move?
My favorite jump is the double loop jump. My favorite spin is the flying camel.  My favorite connecting move is footwork.

Who are your favorite skaters and why?
My favorite skaters are Michelle Kwan for her work ethic and her jumps; Sasha Cohen for her grace and her work ethic too; also Timothy Goebel for his amazing jumps.

Who has had the greatest impact on your skating?
I have had many people inspire me -- my coaches Ted, Steph and Valerie, my parents, Tina Blackwell, my skating friends.

What are some of your off-ice hobbies?
Some of my off ice hobbies are shopping, hanging out with friends, dancing, basketball (well, trying to be good at it).

What do you love about skating?
I love skating because it gives me a chance to go to a lot of places and I have made so many friends over all of my years skating.  I hope to make more for many years to come.  It also teaches people great work ethic.