Looking Ahead

Newly senior Wagner excited to be living her dream

World Junior bronze medalist making her senior international outing at Skate Canada

By Jamie M. Blanchard

Ashley Wagner won the bronze medal at the 2007 World Junior Championships

(October 31, 2007) — Success is nothing new for Ashley Wagner.

In the past two years, the 16-year-old Washington Figure Skating Club member has never finished lower than fourth at any competition including the 2006 and 2007 U.S. Championships, where she won pewter and bronze in junior ladies.

Last season, she also won gold at Junior Grand Prix France and Netherlands before taking silver at the final. Wagner went onto complete an American sweep of the podium at the World Junior Championships by winning a bronze.

But she is ready for senior success this season.

The Heidelberg, Germany born skater will make her senior international debut this week at Skate Canada, Nov. 1-4, in Québec City, Québec. She is also skating at Trophée Eric Bompard, Nov. 15-18, in Paris, France.

Wagner then moves onto January's U.S. Championships in St. Paul, Minn., where she will battle for a spot on the podium and compete for one of three spots on the World Championship team.

Before leaving for Skate Canada, Wagner sat down with Figure Skaters Online to answer questions from her fans.

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Maggy (Alaska, USA): Thanks for taking the time out to answer questions for your fans. My husband and I love you out here in Alaska and we are all looking forward to your answers. My question is what are you most looking forward to this season? You have so many wonderful opportunities ahead of you.
Ashley: I have such great memories of Alaska. I began skating at the ice rink in Eagle River, Alaska. Honestly, I am really looking forward to just being on the ice with all of my idols. I think that it is crazy—just last year I was watching them on TV!

Sarah (Virginia, USA): Are you excited for the season Ashley?
Ashley: I am insanely excited. I have been working hard for so long, and now I'm getting the chance to live my dream.

Cathy (New Jersey, USA): Your Grand Prix debut his almost here. What are you goals for the Grand Prix season? Is it going to be more about the overall experience for you or are you focusing a lot on your placements too?
Ashley: Really, I am going out there just to compete against myself. I think it would be great to just get out on the ice and put out my best. I'm hoping to earn a new personal best and to prove to everyone that I can handle this level of competition.

Elizabeth (Québec, Canada): Ashley, I'm very happy you will make your Grand Prix entrance in my hometown of Québec for Skate Canada. I know you'll have an amazing time there. How are you preparing for your first season on the senior Grand Prix?
Ashley: Tons and tons of back to back programs. I really need to be prepped and in shape to perform my best and I've been working really hard.

Mike (USA): Ashley, I know this won't happen to you because you're awesome but sometimes senior skaters look just like they did when they were juniors. How are you working on skating like a senior lady instead of a junior in senior costume?
Ashley: I have been taking ballet lessons and we have been working on refining my jumps and improving the overall quality of my skating, which I feel is a characteristic of a senior lady.

Carlee (Colorado, USA): You mentioned in the Figure Skaters Online "Summer Series" that you wish you were as flexible as some of your competitors. Have you been working on your flexibility in the off-season?
Ashley: Yes I have, although I am still not as pliable as some of these girls are!

Lois (New York, USA): Will you be doing a triple-triple on the Grand Prix?
Ashley: I guess we will just have to wait and see!

Daniela (Germany): What is your most consistent triple? In the next few seasons, do you think you will have your triple Axel or a quadruple jump?
Ashley: I would actually say that all my triples are pretty consistent, although my favorite is my lutz. As to the triple Axel and the quads, I think that would be great, but I need to focus on my quality of skating for now.

Anonymous (USA): Do you like jumping or spinning more?
Ashley: I like jumping the best. It's that extra thrill you get out of landing something new that makes them so much more fun.

Diane (New York, USA): I noticed your favorite skater Tara Lipinski. In the Lipinski-Michelle Kwan rivalry, she was known as the more technical skater while Kwan was the artist. I kind of see a similar comparison between you, Mirai Nagasu and Caroline Zhang because you're more technically sound, in my opinion, while they're more artists. Are you working more on your components for this season?
Ashley: Yes, I am. I feel that my artistry has always been a weakness compared to some of my competitors, so this season I am hoping that I'll be able to shrug that off.

Anonymous (USA): You seem like you're turning senior at the perfect moment to capitalize on your skills. The American senior ladies field has some openings for top ladies this season with Sasha Cohen out, Emily Hughes starting her first year in college, both Katy Taylor and Christine Zukowski out with injuries and a handful of senior ladies too young to make it to Worlds. Do you think you can step into one of those top spots?
Ashley: I am feeling pretty confident with the odds, but regardless of who is or isn't skating, I still feel that I need to be able to prove myself worthy and eligible for the spot.

Tiffany (Virginia, USA): What's your goal for your first senior nationals?
Ashley: I am coming into this competition hoping to skate to the best of my potential, and to shake things up a bit. It's going to be a fun season.

Emily (Pennsylvania, USA): Ashley, do you think you can make the world team this year? I really hope you do.
Ashley: Thank you! I think that it is definitely a possibility, but I know that I am going to have to work for the spot, it isn't going to be handed to me, and that is something that I am perfectly content with.

Lois (New York, USA): I noticed that you do a little more powerful music than other young skaters. Can you tell us a little bit about the direction of your new programs?
Ashley: This year I really wanted to challenge myself and my skating ability. We chose more mature pieces that basically forced my skating to develop. I have been working on my artistry, and these programs are really going to bring out the effort I've put in.

Yuka (Tokyo, Japan): What keeps you coming back to the rink?
Ashley: I can't even lie, some mornings it's almost impossible to get out of bed! The thing that really keeps me coming back is the fact that no matter what, this is my dream, and nobody said that it would be easy. Getting on the ice, and having the cold air just wash over me, it's the biggest thrill you can get, and you just fall in love with the sport.

Drew (Oregon, USA): Do you have any skating rituals? Also, what is your most embarrassing skating moment?
Ashley: Oh dear, I have tons of embarrassing moments. I'm not a very graceful person off the ice, and I've been known to trip at the least opportune moment. As for my skating rituals, I always find my mom in the audience. It sort of calms me down and helps me realize that no matter what, I'm always going to have people who love and support me in the audience. After that it's game time and I'm ready to go.

Brittany (Maine, USA): Hi Ashley! What has been your most memorable competition experience?
Ashley: My performance at Junior Worlds last year was the highlight of my career. I hadn't ever skated so well in competition before, and it was just the right skate at the right time. After I finished my program I had so much energy, I felt like I could do another long program! It was great to have such an enthusiastic audience and I also had a very supportive team to back me up.

Sarah (Washington DC, USA): How does it feel to have people want your autograph at competitions? Do you get to send out signed pictures across the world too?
Ashley: When the first person came up and asked for my autograph, I almost wanted to ask them for theirs too because I was so shocked! I still think it's really cool and I can't believe that people want mine. I do get to sign pictures and send them world wide, and I'm always surprised that people across the world even know I exist!

Ashley (California, USA): I think that you probably have the best name ever. Out of all the countries that you have gone to for skating or whatever, which is your favorite?
Ashley: Thanks I like yours too. My favorite place to compete would be Germany, since I was born in Heidelberg. The people were so nice and genuine, and the food was great. Also the scenery was beyond amazing.

Brianna (California, USA): Hi Ashley! Thanks for answering questions. I'm a military brat born in Yokosuka, Japan, and now we're living in California. Out of all the places that you've lived because of your dad being in the military, which one was most like home? Sometimes I'm not sure where I'm actually "from" like other people. Can you relate?
Ashley: I totally understand where you are coming from. I was always the new kid in school, and right when I would finally get situated, we would have to pack up and move again. It's nice that my dad retired, so my family can stay in Virginia. Even though I've been here for six years, I still don't really feel like its home though. I would have to say that my "adopted home” is Washington state, because most of my extended family lives out there. One positive thing I found from being a military brat is that we get to meet so many different people, and we also get to see some amazing places.

Kathleen (Nevada, USA): Ashley, I read in an article that you were born at a military base in Germany. What branch of the military is your dad in? Would you ever want to join the military?
Ashley: My dad was a lieutenant colonel in the Army. The military is something that I really don't see down the road for me, only because as a kid I know how greatly it affects your life, and it isn't something I would want to do again.

Danny (Florida, USA): How many countries have you lived in?
Ashley: I have only lived in two, Germany and the US, but I've moved nine times.

Brittany (Maine, USA): Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Ashley: I love going back home to Washington State.

Brittany (Maine, USA): What's your favorite fast food restaurant?
Ashley: Well even though I'm not supposed to like fast food, I can never pass up a good burger and fries, and I'll take one from about anywhere!

Brittany (Maine, USA): Where do you like to shop for clothes?
Ashley: I'm your typical teenager. I love shopping at American Eagle and Abercrombie. I love finding individual pieces and Gap or Forever 21, and I basically drool over anything Marc Jacobs.

Kelly (Washington, USA): Hi Ashley, I met you when I was a flower sweeper for the nationals in Spokane. Thanks for signing my program. My question is what do you like to do when you're with your friends?
Ashley: Unfortunately, I don't have much time to spend with my friends, but when I do we do pretty much anything. We go to the movies, go shopping or just hang out- it depends.

Dana (California, USA): Are you friends with Mirai Nagasu and Caroline Zhang?
Ashley: We don't really keep in touch in between competitions, but I think they are both really sweet girls.

Kelly (Washington, USA): Have you ever met Sasha Cohen or Michelle Kwan? Are you friends with them? They are my most favorite skaters except for you!
Ashley: Aw thanks! No, I haven't been able to meet them, but I wish I could.

Anonymous (Virginia, USA): I don't have a question. This is more like a comment but I want everyone to see it. I wanted to thank Ashley for being such a wonderful representative of the Washington Figure Skating Club. We're all so proud of you Ashley. We're always behind you every step of the way. We can't wait to see what amazing things you accomplish this season with all that hard work you put in over the summer. Keep it up because the sky is the limit for you girl… Bring some gold back to Washington! We love you.
Ashley: Thank you for the kind words, I am proud to represent my club.

Jamie (Arizona, USA): Ashley, thank you for taking the time out to answer questions from your fans even though you're busy preparing for your Grand Prix debut next week. Is there anything that you would like to add?
Ashley: Thank you!

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For more information on Ashley Wagner, visit her official Web site Ashley Wagner Online at www.figureskatersonline.com/ashleywagner/.

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