Anyone Watch Ice Diaries on TLC?

[scoutsmom99]

I watched a neat show tonight on TLC called Ice Diaries. It follows four young ladies who are ice skaters who are working towards each of their dreams to become olympic skaters. It is amazing how much hard work and dedication these ladies have put into skating. Here is a link to the tlc site for Ice Diaries: http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/icediaries/icediaries.html

 

[LJC1861]

thanks so much for posting about this show1 I had no idea that it was even going to be on. Having watched Alissa Csziny all season in the Grand Prix, it will be even more interesting to see this program.

Linda

 

[transparant]

I missed it! I wanted to watch it too. It is an amazing amount of work that these athletes put into it! My 7 year old daughter is a figure skater and just watching what she does is unbelievable let alone someone with Olympic asspirations.

 

[LJC1861]

Not only is the amount of time it takes totally amazing.....the expense of it all is truly staggering!!!!!!

I am a former skater, at the Adult National level. Not only are training costs very high ( coaches at my level were apporximately $1-$2 per MINUTE) but ice time, club membership, skates, dresses, practice clothes and accessories all cost big bucks. Even if you make your own competition dresses, and I did to reduce costs, the fancier beadwork on them is usually done with real Swarovski crystal and each bead can cost up to $.50 per piece.

Then there are travel costs......when you travel to a competition and bring your coach, guess who pays??? The skater of course! You typically pay for their airfare and accomodations as well as coaching time and meals while they are there with you.

Now don't forget that all of these girls also do off ice training like ballet and pilates. Some have personal trainers. Some are also tutored at home and do not attend school. All of these expenses need to be considered as well. There are also some skaters who live in one state and drive every day to another to train. ( Sarah Hughes who lived on Long Island and trained in NJ is one prime example.)

Some of the elite skaters at the level that the girls in the program are sometimes get training grants from the United Skates figure Skating Association, but even those do not do a great deal to alleviate costs. Alissa Csziny did get some prize money coming in 6th place at the Grand Prix. Other appearances at some competitions for television also have prize money. I even think that now at US nationals there is some sort of prize money given, but that it has to be used to assist with training costs. (Someone correct me on that one if I am incorrect.)

All in all, skating is one of the most beautiful sports to watch and one of the most expensive. I would not trade my skating years for anything and it was worth every penny I spent for the 8 years that I competed...I wish I still could........

Now, I will just be content to sit back and watch.

Linda

 

[scoutsmom99]

Linda,
Thanks for sharing you insight and experience. some of those things I hadn't even considered like paying for the coaches to travel with you and the costuming.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Thanks for posting this, can't wait to watch it!

 

[icebrat001]

I've been watching Ice Diaries and Linda is correct, figure skating is very expensive. My skates and blades cost a total of $3,000. I was a level below the elite skaters on TV and I remember my parents paying $25,000 a year, imagine what these elite skaters are paying!

Transparent - What level is your daughter? How long has she been skating?

 

[Swimnoid]

I've been watching this and enjoying every minute. It is so refreshing to see a show featuring young people working hard toward their goals. (Instead of say...My Super Sweet 16) All 4 girls seem so nice and sincere.

 

[scoutsmom99]

I was a level below the elite skaters on TV and I remember my parents paying $25,000 a year, imagine what these elite skaters are paying!

Oh my goodness $25k!!! Do they allow skaters to have sponsors and what not to help with the costs?

 

[icebrat001]

Oh my goodness $25k!!! Do they allow skaters to have sponsors and what not to help with the costs?

it is very difficult to find a sponsor, the USFSA helps out some elite skaters, but again that's only a few and often times it doesn't cover a 100% of the cost.

 

[we3disneygo]

my dd12 skates ISI and is competing as FS2, but has been working FS3. we are in our competing season now and are going to Chicago and St.Louis . we pay for the coaches hotel, gas,food. seperate fee to have the coach put her on the ice for each event she does. cutting the music 20.00 a cut. tights!!! oh my....they last about 1-2 times, you can still use them for practice but not to compete, they get little holes really quick.....oh the fees to compete arent' too bad in ISI, depending on the rink, Chicago is more expensive than St.Louis. it's all worth it..........I started taking lessons....dd and I compete in the family spotlight....more fees...but it's so much fun!!! I'm in basic level 9. if some of the other mom's would skate they proably wouldn't yell so much how easy it is...... another hidden fee --therapy from dealing with all the other rink moms!!!