2013 U.S. International Classic-Saturday Events

So Saturday was pretty much an amazing day. I'll write lots more when I get home, but here are the photos from Saturday's events! I skipped the ladies again because it was dinner time. Priorities!

Free Dance warmup photos

Free Dance and medal ceremony photos and videos

2013 U.S. International Classic-Friday Events

Friday started early with the Short Dance warmup. After a quick break for a late breakfast/early lunch we were back at the rink for the Short Dance competition. As I have been known to do on many occasions, I then skipped the ladies short program in favor of having a meal. Then it was back to the rink for the pairs free skate and men's free skate!

Here are the photos from the Short Dance warmup and competition and the pairs FS and men's FS and medal ceremonies. (plus a couple of videos post-men's medal ceremony)

2013 U.S. International Classic-Thursday Events

Hello from Salt Lake City! The action has begun at the U.S. International Classic. Busy, busy day so no time for reports just yet, but here's the link to my Thursday men's and dance practice photos and a few practice videos of Meryl Davis and Charlie White:

Thursday Practices

Updated to add:

Pairs SP and Men SP

Sergei POV Scene - With Liza

I had to take a break from the Sergei POV scenes to finish edits and proofreading for FIGHTING FOR THE EDGE, but that's all done now, so I have a new scene to share! This is the first one from EDGE OF THE PAST I've written. Check out more about it after the spoiler space!

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This scene takes place at the Boston rink fundraiser shortly after Liza comes to the Cape to visit. Sergei and Liza are spending the day together alone for the first time.

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“Liza, would you like some pasta?” I asked as we approached the Italian food booth at the carnival. “Emily’s Uncle Joe is an awesome cook.”

Liza’s gaze went from me to the big pot of steaming pasta then back to me. “Yes, please.”

I was still filled with amazement every time I looked at her. Seeing my own eyes on her pixie face… knowing I’d created her, this beautiful, special little girl. I had to stop myself from staring at her in wonder.

Uncle Joe gave us a big smile and wiped his hand on his red apron before extending it forward. “You must be Liza. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Liza’s tiny hand disappeared inside his. “It’s nice to meet you, too, sir.”

“Well, you’ve got some good manners there, young lady. But we’re gonna be family soon. You call me Uncle Joe.”

“Okay.” She smiled shyly.

Uncle Joe shook my hand next. “How you doing, Sergei?”

“I’m good. Just trying to figure out this dad thing.”

“You’re gonna be a pro. But if you have any questions, call me anytime. With three kids, I’ve seen it all… and more.”

He turned and filled two bowls with his pesto pasta, and I put my money on the booth. Liza’s eyes widened as she took one of the bowls and inhaled the mouth-watering aroma.

“Thanks, Uncle Joe,” I said and picked up two plastic forks from the bin.

“Make sure you stop at the cookie booth,” he said.

“Oh, we did already. Liza has a couple of bags in here.” I patted her purple backpack.

She and I moved over to the small area of tables beside the rink, and I brushed powdered sugar off two of the chairs before we sat.

Liza took a bite of pasta, and I asked, “Do you like it?”

She hummed and nodded, and I said, “Emily is a great cook, too. She has this recipe and makes it all the time.”

“Do you think she’d show me how?”

I was about to say sure, but I clamped my mouth shut. I’d promised Elena I’d help her get back in Liza’s good graces. Discouraging Liza from spending time with Em seemed ridiculous, though. I wanted them to be close. Em was going to be my wife for goodness sake. But I could see how much it hurt Elena to be shut out by Liza, so I had to somehow balance everyone’s needs.

“I bet she’d love to show you, but she’s pretty busy getting ready for Worlds, so she probably won’t be cooking much the next few weeks.”

Liza’s mouth drooped a little, and she turned to watch a small group of girls goofing around on the ice. I pushed the bowties around in my bowl with my fork and tried to think of something to bring her smile back.

“So, what’s your favorite thing about skating?” I asked.

She finished chewing and shifted her eyes toward me, brightly shining once again. “Going fast and feeling like I’m flying.”

I smiled. “I noticed when you were practicing yesterday how fast you skate. You have a lot more speed than other kids your age.”

“My dad used to call me Speedy–“ She stopped and bit her lip. “I mean, my adopted dad.”

Part of me was incredibly envious of the man who’d been able to raise Liza from birth, but I was thankful she’d had a great father. From what Elena had told me, he’d been the kind of father every kid dreams of having.

“It’s okay.” I rested my elbows on the table and leaned toward Liza. “You can still call him Dad. I’m very happy he was there for you all the years I couldn’t be. I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t talk about him with me.”

She continued to chew on her bottom lip. “What should I call you then?”

I knew what I longed to hear her say when she looked at me, but I had to be patient. Liza was overwhelmed with enough at the moment.

“Sergei is fine. We don’t have to rush into any special titles.” I gave her a smile and was relieved when I received one in return.

Liza dug into her pasta, and I found myself staring again. What had she looked like as a baby? As a toddler? I’d missed so much of her life. Time we could never get back. How often would I see her once she and Elena returned to Russia? A couple of times a year? What kind of father could I be to her if she was so far away?

There was a potential solution – one both Em and Elena might think was crazy. But it was really the only thing that made sense. Liza should be living in the States. Just seeing how happy she’d been the past few days being back here, I knew that was the best option for her. It would be an adjustment for Elena to move here, but I could help her with the transition. The way Liza had begged me to take her out of Russia… I couldn’t stand the thought of saying goodbye to her in three weeks and making her return to a place where she was so miserable. She belonged here. With both of her parents to help her through all the changes in her life.

I just had to convince Em and Elena.

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Monday Moves

This week's Monday Moves features an ice dance couple I'll get to see compete this week! Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt are one of my absolute favorite teams, and their 2010-2011 free dance to "I Belong To You" by Muse was such a gorgeous program. The two moves from that program that I live for are the straight-line lift and Logan's split-slide move at the end of the program. Check them out below!

This is an exciting week because it brings the first big international skating event of the season. The Olympic season! And I'll be in Salt Lake City later this week to cover all the action at the U.S. International Classic! Look for lots of photos and videos here on the blog. I can't believe another Olympic year is here already. It doesn't feel like it was four years ago that I was planning my trip to Vancouver and freaking out because I was actually going to realize my dream of attending the Olympics. I won't be making the trek to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Games, but I'll be attending the International Classic this week, Skate America in October, and U.S. Nationals in January, so there will be lots of event coverage coming your way!

FIGHTING FOR THE EDGE Teaser

Release date of FIGHTING FOR THE EDGE is less than two months away! Here's a little Emily and Sergei moment from the book :)

Monday Moves

Welcome to the second edition of Monday Moves! Today's skating moves that I live for are Jeff Buttle's spirals and spread eagle from his 2004 Samson and Delilah long program. Commentator Dick Button swooned over them, and so do I! This program was so beautifully constructed (and I adored the music cuts), and every move fit the emotion of the music so well.