Olympic Skating Champion, Kristi Yamaguchi Leads Figure Skating Elite in Search Of 'Skating's Next Star'
Judges include U.S. champ Rudy Galindo and Olympic medalists Elvis Stojko and Oksana Grishuk
New York, NY—Jan. 11 2006—Olympic
figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi will lead
WE: Women's Entertainment's
worldwide search to find "Skating's Next Star." The competition begins
Monday, March 20 at 10 p.m. ET and will be judged by skating champions
Rudy Galindo, Elvis Stojko and
Oksana Grishuk.
As the 2006 Winter Olympics close in late February, a new figure skating
champion will be crowned and world-wide interest in this artistic sport will
once again peak, leading fans to wonder, "What does it take to be a top world
figure skater?" WE: Women's Entertainment hopes to answer that question as
cameras follow contestants through their struggles on the ice and the drama
behind the scenes in their new series "Skating's Next Star." It is hard to
believe a sport as graceful and elegant on the ice can be as challenging,
emotional and agonizing as professional figure skating. This new true life
competition series from WE: Women's Entertainment lifts the curtain on the
off-ice drama as viewers watch skaters battle it out in head-to-head
competition, dealing with the joy of victory and heartbreak of defeat.
From the first performance to the final elimination, WE: Women's
Entertainment is giving twelve skaters from around the world, who have fell
short on their quest for skating greatness, a second chance. Watch as
professional skaters battle the pressure and each other in the hopes of
becoming Skating's Next Star. Striving for the perfect program is difficult
enough, but these contestants will be judged by some of the most accomplished
skaters of our time, including 1996 U.S. champion Rudy Galindo and Olympic
medalists Elvis Stojko (two-time Olympic silver medalist) and Oksana Grishuk
(two-time Olympic gold medalist). In addition to explaining the technicalities
of skating, these champions will be judging contestants on everything from
their technical evolution, to style, to personality. Nothing is off limits
from the candid criticism or praise of these judges.
"Skating's Next Star" is produced by
Major League Figure Skating.
Kristi Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi is an Olympic gold medalist; two-time World champion and U.S.
champion. Along with pairs partner Rudy Galindo she won the 1988 Junior Pairs
Championship and the Senior Paris Championships in 1989 and 1990. Yamaguchi
was the first American woman to win the Olympic gold medal since Dorothy
Hamill in 1976. Later, as a professional, she won four World Professional
titles and was honored as 1996 Skater of the Year by American Skating World.
Yamaguchi has been named to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, the World
Skating Hall of Fame and USOC Olympic Hall of Fame. She toured for 10 years
with Stars On Ice and continues to be involved in televised skating specials.
Off the ice, Yamaguchi spends time with her husband, NHL Carolina Hurricanes
defenseman, Bret Hedican, and their two daughters, Keara, 2, and new baby,
Emma.
Rudy Galindo
Born in San Jose, California, Galindo loved skating from an early age. In
1987 he won the World Junior Championship in singles before temporarily giving
up on singles competition to concentrate on pairs skating with his then
partner, Yamaguchi. Together they won the 1988 World Junior Championship and
the U.S. Senior Championships in 1989 and 1990. Following this he returned to
singles skating and in 1996 won the men's title at the U.S. Figure Skating
Championships and later that year a bronze medal at the World
Championship.
Since then, Galindo has participated in many professional competitions,
winning the World Professional Championship in 1998, as well as earning
several other titles. He performs in the "Champions on Ice" national tours
and exhibits all over the country, with emphasis on raising money to combat
the AIDS epidemic.
Elvis Stojko
Canadian figure skating champion, Stojko, began skating at 4, won his first
trophy at 6 and continues to entertain audiences with his exciting
performances. A seven time Canadian Figure Skating Champion, Stojko has also
won the World Figure Skating Championships in 1994, 1995, & 1997. He was
part of the Canadian Olympic Team in 1994 & 1998, bringing home the silver
medal for men's singles competition in both years. Elvis turned professional
in 2002, and is involved with a number of charities.
Oksana Grishuk
Grishuk began her career as a singles skater at age 4. By 12 she had
switched to ice-dancing, and together with original partner Alexander Chichkov
won silver and gold medals at the World Junior Championships. When health
problems forced Alexander to leave the sport she began skating with Evgeny
Platov. Together with Platov, she is the only ice-dancer to ever win two
Olympic gold medals and four Ice Dancing World Championships. Following their
medal wins the duo toured with Champions on Ice before splitting up in 1998.
Today Oksana lives in California with her 3-year-old daughter, Skyler. She
continues to skate, as well as teach and choreograph programs for other
skaters.
Major League Figure Skating, LLC
Major League Figure Skating (MLFS)
was founded to imagine, create, develop and produce Figure Skating events for
television and live audiences. MLFS is dedicated to developing opportunities
for professional skaters. These opportunities include team based
competitions, dazzling ice shows, television productions, star appearances and
talent management.
WE: Women's Entertainment
WE: Women's Entertainment is the only cable
network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around
them. With quality original programming including the hit series
"Bridezillas," unique movie packages like "Three Men and A Chick Flick,"
topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the
network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture,
relationships and personal style. WE: Women's Entertainment is a subsidiary
of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 56 million
homes.
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