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BEBE: |
On her 2006 Nationals Short Program:
"This is such a big year. This is the right year to put it together. It felt so good to have fun with my program."
On the 2006 Olympic Selection Procedure:
"I try to focus on my performance, and as long as I put out my best, that's all I can do"
"I still have to go to nationals and do the same program. It doesn't really matter. But it is going to be different. Ever since I've competed at nationals Michelle has been there. I'm sure a lot of people are going to wonder what's going to happen, but I know I have to focus on my programs and not let anything distract me."
Bebe's Coach (Ken Congemi) on the 2006 Olympic Selection Procedure:
"I told her that no matter what happens, what we can control or what we can control to the best of our ability, is her skating and having her be prepared and be the best that she can be. We have no control over the judging, the marks, the placement, who goes, who doesn't go….I kind of classify her as a peaker, a skater that continuously improves as the competition gets closer. I can look at her and see a program where maybe she misses a jump or two but I just know what she's about and I know that as the competition gets closer, things fall into place. This past week I'm really happy with where she's at. Physically, I think her body is in a good place. I think that her mind is in a good place and she has to constantly work on that type of focus, on just being present and not let any external influences affect her."
Looking forward to 2006 Nationals:
"I'm a little nervous but that's kind of natural before I go to competitions. I'm actually really excited. All these girls are doing really well and it's going to be a good competition."
Ken Congemi (Bebe's Coach, on her skating):
"She can spin well, she's got good footwork, and she has a beautiful quality out on the ice. When her jumps are working she really does have the total package. And with this new judging system, every one of those elements earns points."
On her Olympic Dreams:
"I have that goal, and I think it's important for me to really believe in it. It helps me a lot to kind of see myself there and know that I have the ability to get there."
Bebe's Mom, Alice, on how Bebe started Skating:
"She used to do cartwheels when she was 2 years old. When we had visitors, she'd use the man's arm and swing back and forth from it, so we put her in gymnastics. The skating thing came when her older sister watched the 1994 Olympics and said she wanted to skate. Bebe wanted to go too, and at the very beginning her instructor said she had talent. I didn't know anything about skating, but we knew about gymnastics."
On 2005 Skate America:
"I gained confidence in my programs and got really comfortable kind of putting it out there in front of the judges and in front of the audience," she said. "It's kind of like a nationals."
On 2003 Jr. Worlds:
“Today it was not the best I can do, But I am glad to finish the program well and I am hopeful that I can do better the next time.”
On 2002 Jr. Worlds:
"It was pretty good. I went out there and just attacked everything. Of course it could have been better. It's really exciting coming all the way to Norway. It's really fun."
On
Bebe:
"Just looking at her brings back memories. She’s so fragile…
she’s got a lot of potential." -Michelle Kwan
On
the Skater she Admires:
Probably Paul Wylie. He has always been a great inspiration to me! I admire
him for his grace on ice and for the fact that he never gives up. I also
admire him for his will to return to school after he was done competing
and hope that I will be able to as well.
On
tips for Skaters:
First and foremost, keep working hard and don't give up. Focus on good
technique. Once you get it clean with good technique, consistency comes
with time.
On
competing with top competitors:
It is a great honor to be able to compete with them. Every year, I still
find it hard to believe that I actually get my name up there alongside
those of the big stars. But it stimulates me to strive even harder to
be a worthy competitor.
On
training hours:
Since I go to full-time school, I don't have as many hours to skate. So
during the school year I train two to three hours on ice per day and two
hours off ice per week. During the summer it increases to 3 1/2 hours
on ice each day and about 3 hours off ice per week.
On
What she likes to do with "Free Time"
I love to read. Whenever I have free time in the car or at home I grab
a good book and read. Secondly, I love to spend time with my sisters and
friends. I enjoy my youth group at church, and sometimes help with babysitting
or little kids' programs. Also, I try to put in a half hour or an hour
of piano practice whenever I can, although I am not sure you can exactly
call that "free" time!
On
advice for Skaters:
if you have a dream, keep following it. You should not give up just because
something temporarily goes wrong, because there will be setbacks. Skate
because you love to. However, try to be balanced and well-rounded. Life
is full of interesting things to explore.
On
Pressure:
Yes, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the pressure, but I have a great
support team. My family and coaches help me a lot to overcome the pressure
during each competition.
On
Jumps:
I landed my double Axel when I was 9 years old and in the intermediate
level. It took me about nine months to get it clean and consistent. As
for my triples (except the triple Axel, of course) I got them more or
less consistent by the time I skated on the junior level.
On
Spins:
Spins go faster when they are centered. The scratch spin is a little easier
to get faster than most spins because of its tight position. Make sure
to take advantage of the centripetal force by pulling your arms and legs
in tight!
On
Future Goals:
My future goals include a U.S. title and a World title. Right now, I am
working hard to get gradually closer to my goals. And, of course, one
of the biggest goals would be to make the 2006 Olympics. But most of all,
I hope that one day I can somehow contribute to elevating the sport to
a new level – that would thrill my heart!