Erin Reed was the surprise pewter (4th place) medalist at the 2004 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and, at 17, the oldest competitor among the Junior ladies in Atlanta. Now 18, she is about to start her freshman year at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She represents the Wasatch FSC in Ogden, Utah, and is coached by Sue Nabor and Jozef (Jumpin’ Joe) Sabovcik. Her programs are choreographed by Nabor and Stephanee Grosscup. In April 2004, Reed won the silver medal at her first junior international competition, Gardena Spring Trophy in Italy; her next international competition will be the Junior Grand Prix event in Harbin, China, September 16-19, 2004.

Your USFS bio says you were born in East Bentleigh, Victoria, Australia. How long did you live there and how old were you when your family moved to the U.S.? Are you an Australian or American citizen at this time?
My family lived there three and a half years; however, I only lived there for five months, then we moved back to the States. I don't remember it, and sadly, I have never been back to visit. As far as I know, I have dual citizenship.

When and how did you begin skating?
I began skating in the summer of 1994 in Learn to Skate when a rink opened up near my house (this rink in Ogden was used for curling in the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics). This rink is still my home rink where my club (Wasatch FSC) is; however, I now train in Salt Lake. I competed for the first time in July of 1995 at a local competition in Bountiful, Utah, in Freestyle 2.

What has been the most memorable moment in your skating career so far?
My most memorable moment so far was placing at the U.S. Nationals this past January. I had no expectations going to Atlanta. I was just very excited to be at "Senior" Nationals for the first time. I was happy with how I skated and placing just made it an even greater experience. Doing well at Nationals has also given me great opportunities to travel and participate in other events which I have really enjoyed, and look forward to this season.

What has been the biggest challenge or disappointment that you have overcome in your skating career to date?
I have struggled with a knee injury on my landing leg over the past few years. It has caused me to take some time off the ice periodically. I was in a lot of pain all of last season (even at Nationals), so being able to carry on and compete has been something I am proud of overcoming.

Besides my knee, I have also had some lower back problems, an ankle injury due to the pressure from my boot and a pulled hamstring which I had therapy on a few years ago. Despite these injuries I have never been totally off the ice longer than about three weeks, but all injuries cause setbacks. But, for the most part, I feel that I have been very lucky. My knee is just something that I will have to deal with throughout my skating due to the pressure I put on it. I tape it everyday to help support it, which seems to help some.

What's an embarrassing or humorous moment on the ice that you're willing to share?
When I was a Novice in the 2001-2002 season, I was competing my long program to "Firebird" in the Sun Valley summer competition. My music was cut so that I ended on a big bang. I remember skating pretty well, but then at the end of the program I slipped on my ending pose and fell back, landing on my butt with my legs in the air. I just remember the audience clapping and laughing at the same time. Although I was laughing with them, it was pretty embarrassing!

How long have you been working with your current coaches, Sue Nabor and Jozef Sabovcik, and how would you describe their respective coaching styles?
I was coached by Akop Manoukian for about three years before he moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and set me up to work with Jozef Sabovcik on my jumps once he left. My first coach was actually Andre McGaughey, who team coached with Sue for many years until he stopped coaching, and then Sue became my primary coach. I have been taking from Sue since I was about nine, and I have been taking from Jozef for almost two years. Sue is very detail oriented and is great to work with for anything. She choreographed my short program this year, so recently we have spent a lot of time with that. Sue is very caring and is always looking out for my best interests. Jozef is also very caring and also spends time working on my overall skating, however one of our main focuses together are working on jumps. They are both very different however they compliment each other very well, and this combination, along with working with Stephanee Grosscup and Stuart Sturgeon, seems to be working well.

Which people (in addition to your coaches) have had the greatest influence on your skating over the years and in what ways?
My parents and friends have had a great influence on my skating. My parents have always been extremely supportive. I also have a great group of friends, many through skating, as well as a close knit group whom I went to school with who really encourage me and make skating very enjoyable for me. Meeting people through skating has been something I have been really grateful for.

You qualified for "big" Nationals for the very first time in 2003-04. What was the overall experience like for you? How was it different from other competitions and what did you learn?
I was Novice for one year, and then I was Junior for one year before making to Nationals my second year as a Junior. I placed 6th at sectionals both my Novice year and first year Junior. Being a second alternate for two years, and then finally making it was a goal I had been working towards for a long time. The overall experience was great, and going to "Senior" Nationals once just makes you want to work even harder so that you have the chance to go again. It was different from other competitions because you are surrounded by such elite skaters, and for the first time you are considered one of them. Only 13 ladies in the U.S. made it to Nationals in Junior this year, and to be able to compete and spend most of the week with them and the other competitors was an unforgettable experience.

Did skating in the first of two groups for both the Junior short and long programs help you? How would you describe the feeling of winning the pewter medal?
Actually, in the long program, I skated last in the second of three warm up groups. I enjoy skating early in the short, and I feel not skating in the last warm up group did benefit me in the long. There is a lot of pressure skating in the last warm up group, and I skated in the closest place to the last group, but the pressure was off. I was very pleased with my short program performance, and since I had no expectations of placing, I was happy to be in 6th after short. I skated the best long that I had all season so I had no regrets. After I skated I never imagined standing on the medal podium. I just went up in the stands and watched the final group along side my parents and coaches. I was in first after I skated, so I knew I was top 6 for sure which was exciting. I just sat in amazement watching the other skaters as I stayed near the top even after people who were ahead of me in the short skated. The event ended and I was still up in the stands. I had to hurry and run down to put my skates on. The other medalists were ready since they had just skated in the final group. It was such a rush and it was definitely a shock.

[Editor’s Note: Erin wrote up the following, detailed account of Gardena Spring Trophy - her first junior international competition - for Unseen Skaters earlier this summer.]
A summary of my entire Gardena Spring Trophy experience begins with an extremely long plane flight to Munich. I have two main coaches, Jozef Sabovcik and Sue Nabor. Jozef attended Gardena with me. We met the rest of the team in Munich and drove on a bus into Italy. The bus ride was a great time to do some good sightseeing, since we did not find too much time once we got there, and started competing. This was my first trip to Europe and my first international so the whole experience was very exciting. The team I went with was great. Karen Terry was our team leader, and she was a lot of fun and very supportive. There were only three other skaters besides myself who went to Gardena, but although we were a small team we were very supportive of each other and had a great time. I only knew Princeton [Kwong] prior to the trip, and it was nice to get to know him better as well as meet Christine [Zukowski] and Traighe [Rouse]. The town we were in was a little ski town. It was very pretty, and there was still snow on the slopes. The coaches, judges and parents stayed in one hotel, while the skaters all stayed in another one directly across the street. We stayed in a bed and breakfast which was very nice, although we had to get used to the food, such as the breakfast buffet, where they served cold cuts. We did enjoy the pizza, pasta, dumplings, and desserts. Once practice and competition started, it was very exciting to be part of Team USA. When the entire team wears their warm-ups, it’s cool to know that you skate for a country whose skating is so respected. I represented the U.S. once before at an NACS in Phoenix [in July 2002], but representing the U.S. in another country, let alone on another continent, was amazing.

Practices went well and I skated a very good short program, where I skated clean. I competed the exact program that I had performed at the U.S. Nationals [jumps were triple salchow-double toe, double axel, double flip]. I placed second to Christine, who also skated a very good program [triple toe-double toe, double axel, double flip]. In the long program I drew first again to skate in my warm up group, the same order I skated in the short. My program started out really well -- I landed double axel, triple salchow combo, and double-footed triple loop -- but the end wasn’t quite as good, as I touched down a hand on my double axel combo and did a double salchow instead of a second triple. Although technically I missed a few things in my long, I was able to hold it together and finish with a good enough program to hold my second place overall. I was very happy with the placement and was also thrilled that the U.S. had done so well in both men’s and ladies’.

More than the competition aspect of the trip, I had a great time meeting other skaters and spending time with the Team. A group of us went down to the much larger part of the town [Ortisei] and spent some time sightseeing and shopping, which ended up being my only time to do that, so I’m glad that I went. Other parts of the trip I enjoyed were watching the men’s competition, attending the team dinner, and going to the draw party.

We did meet Carolina Kostner when she attended the long program. Carolina’s mother puts on this competition and was very kind and helpful to our entire team. Overall, I had a great time and I can thank my other U.S. team members for making it such a memorable experience.

How was your experience at the USFSA's Sports Sciences and Medicine workshop in Lake Placid, New York, June 9-13, 2004?
I had a great time in Lake Placid. I learned a lot and met many new people. We did an on ice filming session which I found very helpful. I also think that the periodization session is very important to lay out a skater's training for the upcoming season. I am not too familiar with most of the East Coast skaters, so it was nice to meet many of them. It was also nice to meet the other skaters who would be attending the China JGP with me.

How do you feel about your first Junior Grand Prix assignment being in China?
I am very excited about going to China. I actually went there when I was a baby (but again I don't remember it). I love to travel and I am excited about the team of skaters I am going with and being able to represent the U.S. again internationally.

Can you summarize your senior debut at Copper Cup (July 9-10 in Bountiful, Utah)?
My senior debut at Copper Cup was important for beginning my season locally at a smaller competition for the first time as a Senior. My programs definitely improve as the season goes on, so for the first competition it was a good start. This past season was unlike any other for me. I competed and trained all the way through the Gardena Spring Trophy in April, which is one main reason I suffered from some injuries. In years past, I had begun competing new programs as early as May, and this year I did not start working on new programs until May. I now know things I need to work out with the choreography, and it has given me a good base to build upon for the upcoming season.

Your program music this season is listed as A League of Their Own (short) and Cider House Rules, “The Ocean” by Savatage, and "Boon Ba Ya Ya" by Abraxas Pool (long). Did you choose the music yourself? How do you usually pick your skating music?
I normally pick music by myself, but sometimes with the help and suggestions of my coaches. I chose my short and the Cider House Rules section of my long this year. Jozef found the other sections of my long, and then he cut both my short and long music.

How would you describe the choreographic process, working with Sue Nabor and Stephanee Grosscup?
I love working with both Sue and Stephanee. For many years now I have worked with them both on choreography. I usually have Stephanee choreograph one program, and then Sue choreograph one. This way in my lessons with each of them we can concentrate on perfecting one program. Steph also works a lot with me on spins and spirals. She also helps me build a lot of confidence through her teaching style and her personality. I really appreciate all that she does for me and my skating.

Who are your favorite skaters and why?
My favorite skaters are Sasha Cohen for her amazing flexibility and line; Michelle Kwan for her passion and love for the sport; Brian Joubert as an upcoming male, he is very enjoyable to watch, and I like his style, then I also love Kurt Browning's footwork and style.

What is your favorite current jump, spin, and connecting move to do?
I don't really have any favorites, but as far as connecting moves, I love difficult footwork.

What do you feel are the weakest and strongest aspects of your skating?
The weakest aspect of my skating is that I don't have all of my triples yet. Although I feel the jumps I can do I do well, I am really concentrating on increasing my technical difficulty. My strongest aspect is my artistic mark. My overall skating is very strong and my second mark is normally very high.

What are your goals in skating and off the ice?
Right now I mostly have short term goals, such as doing well at my JGP, and having a good season, hopefully qualifying for Nationals as a Senior. Nationals was such a great experience, I would love to go as a Senior. I just take skating one day at a time and am really looking forward to this season, and hopefully many more to come. Off the ice, I want to go to college and someday maybe attend a design school. Right now, I am looking at architecture or fashion design. We'll see what happens.

You graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in May 2004. Were you a full-time student and was it difficult to balance regular high school with skating?
I went to a full day of school until second semester of my Junior year. I then was able to get out of school at 1:30 in order to make the drive to Bountiful or Salt Lake City to train. I was a full time student even though I left a little early, and I made up my credits other ways. It was difficult to balance skating and high school; however, I am used to being very busy, and I feel I did even better in school because I was so disciplined. I graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.97, so although I may have had less time for studying than my classmates, I worked really hard in the time I had. I went to a very small school, and most of my friends were involved in sports year round, so we were all very busy and very supportive of each other at the same time.

What were your favorite subjects and activities in high school?
I ran cross country and track in high school. I also really enjoy dancing. My favorite subjects are art and math.

How many and what kind of classes do you plan to take when you start at the University of Utah this fall?
I plan to take a lot of my generals although I already have a lot of college credit due to a concurrent enrollment credit for English and also passing my AP Calculus and AP U.S. History exams. So far at the University I am signed up for two honors courses, one for a humanities credit and one for social science. Then I am also taking an introduction to architecture class and a dance class for an elective. I have not finalized my schedule yet, but these are classes I am pretty sure I am taking.

What do you like to do for fun away from the ice?
I really enjoy hanging out with my friends, playing other sports, dancing, working out, shopping and going to movies.

You mention in your USFS athlete bio that you have an obsession with shoes. How many pairs of shoes are in your closet?
I don't know! Right now I have about every color of flip flop or sandal. For example I have three pairs of just white flip flops/sandals. I just have to try to explain to my dad that they are all very different, which is why I need so many pairs!

What is it about skating that motivates you to keep going day in and day out?
Skating has been such a rewarding experience for me over the years. Placing at Nationals and the experiences and opportunities I have had since then have been unforgettable. Those events as well, as everything I love about the sport, continually give me a boost of motivation to keep working.

August 2004 Postscript from Erin:
My summer training has gone pretty well. After Copper Cup, I only had a little over a week before skating in the Sun Valley Competition in Idaho (see mid-air jump photo). I love going up to Sun Valley. It is a really relaxing trip. I skated well and improved upon my Copper Cup debut. Training in Colorado [in early August] went really well. I worked with Christy Krall and with the Dartfish program which I really enjoyed. Being able to have a visual of my jumps and my air position really made a difference. With this technology, my jumps were put side by side with great examples of triple jumps being performed by top skaters to compare the two. I also worked with Erik Schulz with off-ice training. I was only there for a week, but I really enjoyed training with the other skaters and would love to go back and train in the future. Well, now my summer is almost over. I leave for Silicon [Valley Open in San Jose, California] on Tuesday. I return home Sunday, August 22nd and am moving into my dorm at the University of Utah that day.