Profile Name Christopher Knierim Nickname Chris, Twinkle Toes Birth date November 5, 1987 Birthplace Tucson, Arizona Hometown Colorado Springs, Colorado

Biography

Christopher Knierim was born November 5, 1987, in Tucson, Ariz.

He started figure skating when he was 12 years old. Within a year of taking up the sport, Chris entered his first freestyle competition.

When Chris was 17 years old, he took up pair skating with his sister. He also skated with Shawnee Smith before teaming up with Brynn Carman.

Chris says the highlight of his skating career — so far — was winning the pewter medal in novice pairs at the 2007 U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash.

"The feeling was unreal," he said. " It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Being up on the podium knowing I gave it all I had, it was awesome."

At nationals, Brynn and Chris were eighth in the short program but placed fourth in the free skate to finish on the podium.

"Coming up from eighth in the short to fourth overall was a great accomplishment," Chris said.

His advice to young skaters who want to eventually become national competitors is "Keep working hard."

Chris previously competed at the Southwest Regional Championships as an intermediate man. But pairs is currently his primary focus.

Chris, a member of the Broadmoor Skating Club, currently trains at the in Colorado Springs. He also skates on day a week at the South Suburban Ice Arena in Brynn's hometown of Centennial, a southeastern suburb of Denver.

He is coached in pairs by Dalilah Sappenfield, who teaches several teams who have competed internationally on both the junior and senior Grand Prix circuits. Chris' singles coaches are Sappenfield and Chea Hutton.

His former coaches include Jack Raffler, Marty Martino, Erik Milo, Linda Kola.

His programs are choreographed by Sappenfield, Damon Allen and Leiina McLaughlin. Chris' former choreographers include his mother Dee Dee Knierim.

On the ice, Chris wears Jackson Elite boots with Ultima blades.

When he is not skating, Chris works at a local Sears Automotive store. His off-ice goal is to receive his degree in automotive technology.

His other hobbies are bowling and fishing.

Seven Cool Facts

"I am Native American, Cherokee, and Italian."

"The Chargers are my team."

"I love to watch car shows."

"I like working on cars."

"I play video games."

"I only like American cars."

"I eat, sleep and skate."