One of several ads for Polar Sport athletic wear. In this one, I’m in the center doing the layback spin alongside World Team pairs greats Gale Fuhrman (left) and JoJo Starbuck, who was also a two-time Olympian.

The clothing company had become an official outfitter of U.S. Figure Skating’s World and Olympic teams after former fashion model (and adult skater) Anya Robertson changed the look of the sport forever with her sleek designs. But – fun-fact – these outfits were often stiff, starchy and not very comfortable. They did however look great! 

This competition pic shows a left forward outside edge — the entrance to some sort of flying spin. Since I jump and spin in opposite directions (rare), this spin take-off always felt treacherous.

Our skating club always held photo sessions prior to Regionals, Sectionals and Nationals. My childhood pal Kenny Congemi unearthed this old promo shot, which ultimately ended up on the cover of Skating magazine.

With my lifelong friend Debbie Crawford: Here we are as nine-year-olds, posing just before an exhibition at Christopher Morley Park in New York.

Aside from training together for many years, Debbie and I also competed as a team in  “Similar Pairs.” The popularity of this discipline didn’t last — but it taught us a lot about timing, unison, style and how to match the stride of better, faster skaters. (Debbie was fast!)