WHERE ARE THEY NOW?


The art of reinvention


’82 junior champ carries focus,


commitment into helping others by LOIS ELFMAN


Tere are some skaters who, even though


you’ve seen them only once, make an indelible impression due to charisma, athleticism and uniqueness. Lorilee Pritchard, 1982 U.S. junior ladies champion, was a dynamic presence on the ice. She was athletic, entertaining and an incred- ible spinner, but all too soon she was gone from the scene, beset by injuries. In the years following the end of her com-


petitive skating days, she decided to make some changes, which included her name. “I wanted to alter my name in the way my


life altered — a fresh start, so to speak,” Lauren Hess (the last name comes through marriage) said. “It was a way for me to turn away from my skating life and proceed into the future. Lauren was a more grown-up version of Lori, which is what I was after, and it has served me well.” Hess’ injury problems started not long af- ter her memorable win in Indianapolis. At the 1983 World Junior Championships, she had an undetected stress fracture in her ankle. Te day before the competition, she did a flying sit spin in warm-up, came down on the leg and the an- kle cracked. Her skate literally had to be cut off and she wound up at the hospital.


“I watched the competition in a cast at


the rink where I was interviewed by John Tesh (CBS announcer),” she recalled. “Upon return- ing home, I saw specialists in Boston who want- ed to insert pins and screws, which I declined in favor of nine months in a nonwalking cast. As you can imagine, that’s a lot for a teenage girl to come back from, but that’s exactly what I attempted to do.” In 1984, she tried to compete again, but


she didn’t have the confidence to be fearless any- more, so she walked away from the sport. After being off the ice for eight years, in 1992 her then-boyfriend, now husband, Jeffrey Hess, encouraged her to return to the sport she still loved. “It surprised me that after eight years, not only did I still have it, but I enjoyed skating again and realized how much I missed it,” Hess said. “Tis is also when we relocated to Tampa, where I auditioned for the ice show Around the World on Ice at Busch Gardens.” Her first professional gig was skating in


the opening ceremonies for the inaugural game of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team. Tat was followed by a two-year run in Around the World. She then became a principal soloist in Fantasy on Ice in Italy before returning to


Busch Gardens for Hollywood Live on Ice. She also competed at the 1993 U.S. Open. But the injuries continued, including two


broken ankles, bursitis and back problems. In search of physical therapy that would help her live a healthy life, Hess found Pilates, which not only gave her strength and wellness, but became her career.


“I began with private training sessions, and


little by little, I couldn’t believe the improve- ment in my core strength, which I wish I had as a skater, and the reparative benefits for my injuries,” Hess, 49, said. She was so impressed with her own trans- formation that she became a Pilates instructor. “Te injuries of my past figure prominent- ly in the way I teach Pilates,” she said. “As least half of my clients have previous injuries and they’re amazed that not only do I know how to help correct and work around those injuries, but I know exactly how they feel. Being on the same page with these clients gives them confidence to push themselves beyond the boundaries they thought they had, which is something I prided myself on as a skater.” While her pro career ended, it helped re-


spark Hess’ love of skating. After years where she didn’t even watch the sport on TV, she became a die-hard fan. “When I began skating professionally, I


had a whole new outlook and learned to love skating all over again,” she said. “To this day, I watch all the major competitions and events that are broadcast on television.” Among Hess’ favorites is Michelle Kwan, with whom she shared a coach, Frank Carroll, who was Hess’ coach when she won her U.S. title. She is also a fan of Sasha Cohen and Kurt Browning. For her, those three embodied ath- leticism and artistry as well as a passion for the sport.


A native of Massachusetts, Hess began skating on a pond. Her first coach was Julie Graham. She performed at An Evening with Champions, the renowned cancer benefit at Harvard, when she was 8, and the thunderous applause and standing ovations told her she was onto something special. Each summer, Graham took her to Lake


Placid, where Hess got to work with Carlo Fas- si and the legendary Gustave Lussi, the king of spins. At 14, she moved to California to work with Carroll and John Nicks. At the 1982 U.S. Championships, people


Top, Lauren Hess, then Lorilee Pritchard, with renowned coach Carlo Fassi. Middle, Lorilee Pritchard strikes a pose at the end of her free skate at the 1982 U.S. Championships in Indianapolis, where she won the junior title. Bottom, Lauren Hess gives Pilates instruction to a client.


8 MAY 2016


PHOTO COURTESY OF INDIANA STAR


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60