Artistic expression drives trio on the ice BY LEXI ROHNER


The opportunity for artistic expression, more than the thrill of performing jumps and spins, is what motivates this trio of ladies on the ice.


LOS ANGELES FIGURE SKATING CLUB ADULT BRONZE FREE SKATE


COURTNEY ELLIOTT, 34 LOS ANGELES


Elliott, a theater major in college with some


professional acting experience, has participat- ed in approximately 20 showcase events. “Skating has been my form of expression,”


said Elliott, a brand ambassador for a premium stroller and car seat company. “Determining the right piece of music that has meaning, or moves me emotionally, is crucial.” Her coach, Michael Villarreal, understands


her artistic goals and helps her maintain focus. “It means the most to me when people ap-


CHRISTINE LONG, 56 TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA GLACIER FALLS FSC


ADULT SILVER FREE SKATE


Long, a masters-level track and field cham- pion in the steeplechase, returned to skating when she turned 50. After only three weeks back on the ice, she hired a coach and began to train in the adult competitive program. “I never realized I was artistic,” said Long,


who at the 2014 U.S. Adult Championships performed a tribute program set to “Clouds” by Zach Sobiech, a young man dying of cancer. “His outlook on life was so exceptional and lov- ing.”


In addition to her own skating, Long han- dled administrative duties and travel this season for the junior and adult Ballyhoo Ice Repertory Theatre teams, competing in their inaugural year. “We had a great time at nationals and the


adult team placed fourth,” she said. Long launched her skating career at age 19 with her best friend. She learned the basic jumps and spins and eventually began skat- ing with her coach’s other adult student, Gene Wainright, a 27-year-old with whom Long practiced figures and entered a couple of pairs competitions. “Gene and I had a blast learning spins and


lifts at the old Glacier Falls rink in Anaheim,” Long said. Later on, Long married and skated just for


fun. She introduced her daughter, Rihana, and


niece, Rebecca, to skating when they were 2 years old. Rihana went on to become a musi- cian, while Rebecca (Musick) became an ac- complished skater and coach who won the adult gold category a few years ago. When she’s not skating, Long works in city


government, managing the real estate func- tions of the Community Development Depart- ment. One of her projects was the Anaheim Ice arena.


40 DECEMBER 2014


proach me afterward to say they were moved by my skating,” Elliott said. “I’ve become com- fortable with myself and expressing emotions previously difficult to communicate. It has helped me to grow physically and mentally.” Elliott grew up in northern Vermont, where


she was introduced to skating at age 2 by her older sister. They skated at a local outdoor rink during the winter season. She took group les- sons at age 13 at an indoor rink in Canada. Skating through high school, Elliott took


group lessons briefly while living in New Jersey, and picked it up again when she relocated to Los Angeles in 2006. When she was 18, Elliott saw an ad in SKAT- ING magazine for the U.S. Adult Champion- ships and made it her goal to one day compete there. In 2014, she achieved just that. “It took me nearly 16 years, but I did it,” El-


liott said. “I left with the biggest feeling of ac- complishment I’ve ever felt.”


JUDY PEARSON-WRIGHT, 54 DIXON, NEW MEXICO SANTA FE SKATING CLUB


INTERNATIONAL DANCE, NOVICE MOVES, ADULT GOLD FREE SKATE


An artist at heart, Pearson-Wright is always


looking for ways to express herself on the ice. “I’ve always pushed the envelope, which is nothing new,” Pearson-Wright, an ice dancer, said. “The process of having a thought and be- ing part of creating anything is in my being.” Pearson-Wright owns a ceramic studio,


where she makes tiles, lamps, candleholders, soap dishes, etc. She also uses her graphic arts skills for skating clubs; the Dixon Animal Pro- tection Society, of which she is president; and other nonprofits. Recently divorced, Pearson-Wright consid-


ers skating food for her soul, a place where she feels at home, grounded, and most important- ly, herself. She started skating as a child near Boston


— her parents flooded the backyard for skat- ing — taking group lessons when she turned 5. Pearson-Wright actually won the only event she entered as a child, although she didn’t think she performed well in victory. “I said never again,” Pearson-Wright re-


called. “Never say never.” Today, she trains twice a week, coaches,


competes and performs in local shows. When she does perform, her creativity is evident. “I don’t lead it, it leads me,” she said. “Inspi-


ration can come from anywhere or anything, if you’re open to it. When I skate, I connect with the audience not by going out to them, but by inviting them to join me — a welcome to my world, come see what I feel.” Pearson-Wright has no skating goals, other


than to simply keep going. “It’s OK, I get to climb mountains instead,”


said Pearson-Wright, who considers her great- est achievement the circle of skating friends she’s cultivated globally.


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