The 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Governing Council marked the first time in the organization’s history that the annual meeting was presented by a sponsor. Along with their sponsorship of 2011 and 2012 Skate America, Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 distinct hotel brands, presented the 2012 Governing Council. Delegates were hosted at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The expan- sive beachfront property provided everything from great food and ample meeting space to beautiful views, friendly southern hospitality and a shuttle that allowed guests to explore the town when they weren’t busy in meetings and receptions. During the President’s Reception on the last evening of Governing Council, a banner plane, which usually advertises restaurant and souvenir shops, flew by with a special message for U.S. Figure Skating and its delegates.
Haydenettes deliver keynote speech to open Governing Council Haydenettes Jenna Longo and Lind-
say Grajeck delivered the opening keynote speech at the annual Governing Council meeting, reliving their memories of winning bronze medals at the last three World Syn- chronized Skating Championships. Delegates were treated to a video pre- sentation of the Haydenettes Lady Gaga free skate from the 2012 U.S. Synchronized Skat- ing Championships in Worcester, Mass., an event where the team won its 20th U.S. title. “I remember receiving our first World
medal from Lynn Benson in Colorado Springs in 2010,” Longo said with a smile. “The next year, we went to Worlds in Helsinki, which is the home of our coach, Saga Krantz. It was there that I realized how much she has sacrificed to move to the U.S. and to coach our team.” The Haydenettes hoped their trip to the
2012 World Synchronized Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, would be less stressful than those to their previous two Worlds. No such luck, when after the short program, they found themselves in unfamiliar territory — not in the top three after the segment. “There were only two points separating
the top six teams after the short program,” she said. “So we decided to go out and have fun with our Lady Gaga program as we have been all year. And we did it, once again.”
The Haydenettes Jenna Longo and Lindsay Grajeck open the Governing Council meeting by looking back at past successes. Longo and Grajeck acknowledged U.S.
Figure Skating and its delegates for the sup- port they offer to what Grajeck calls the “mir- acle” sport — “You know, when 16 girls reach the ending position on their feet, it’s a miracle.” “This is a phenomenal sport,” Longo add-
ed. “It combines the artistry and athleticism of figure skating while working in a team. We appreciate everyone for who they are, taking the good with the bad. My teammates are my sisters; they are who I am proud of.” The presentation was timely as the U.S.
prepares to host the World Synchronized Skating Championships for the third time
next April in Boston. The first Worlds were held in Minneapolis in 2000. “Thank you for once again bidding to
host the World Synchronized Championships,” Longo said. “Competition is going to be more intense than ever to fight for those World spots. We want to prove to the world we are a lead- ing contender in synchronized skating and all disciplines of skating. And we want to show that U.S. fans cheer more loudly than the Finnish and Swedish fans.”
Lindsay Grajeck and Jenna Longo
12 JUNE/JULY 2012
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