Finalizing my extraordinary week in Sun Valley for the adult skating week 2020 - was testing my three Bronze Ice Dances: The Hickory Hoedown, The Willow Waltz and the Ten Fox.
Back in 2017 the last time I came to Sun Valley during the solar eclipse - I took a lesson with Brent Bommentre and he reviewed the steps with me for the Hickory Hoedown. I took another lesson with Chris Obzansky and he attempted to teach me the steps of the Willow Waltz and the Ten Fox. After that I didn’t have any coaching for ice dance and I really didn’t put any practice in on the dances. I find practicing the dances solo quite difficult.
Toward the end of 2019 at my winter residence in Arizona, I found a new coach Sue Burdick who worked with me on all three dances. Maybe 3-4 lessons. I also went up to Scottsdale Ice Den once and took a long lesson with Todd Gilles so I could know what these dances felt like partnered. That was March 6, 2020 just before all the rinks closed during the COVID19 pandemic.
With no practice until July of 2020 - without a coach I attempted to recall what I learned from those few lessons and I showed up at Sun Valley determined to test at the end of the week. I signed up for a daily lesson with Brent Bommentre - Masked up due to COVID19 protocol we hammered out the dances as best as we could in 5 days. Skating at nearly 6,000 feet with a mask ... need I say more? It’s difficult to breathe and relax ..
During one of my tests he said .. BREATHE ... honestly I think I held my breath for the entire Hickory Hoedown!
Results are in: I passed all three even with some honors points by some of the judges. I am happy and of course also regretful that the errors I did make showed their ugly faces!
Thanks to all the coaches mentioned above - you were all part of my success this week.
Hickory Hoedown
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