How You Became a Sarah Fan
(7-12-02) Lindsey
The first time I saw Sarah skate was in the qualifications to go to the Olympics. I was supposed to be helping my dad plaster, but like any other normal teenager, I would do almost anything to get out of doing this dirty work. I snuck into the adjoining room (which has a tv) I turned it on and saw women's figure skating. I have always been a mild fan of figure skating, so I was immediately hooked. I came in pretty late into the competition, but I got to see Sarah Hughes, Sasha Cohen, and Michelle Kwan skate. I immediately liked Sarah, but just because she was 17, the one closest to my age, and I always admire young skaters. But there was still admiration for Michelle, because she has been at it for so long. When the Olympics rolled around, I wanted Michelle to win, 100%, but that was before I saw Sarah skate! I saw her skate her first performance, and immediately gained a new liking for her. She was not only a young skater, she was a very talented young skater. As the Olympics progressed and I watched her second performance and I was hooked. When she won the gold medal, I shouted out for joy (my family looked at me like I was crazy). One day I saw in the newspaper an article for Champions on Ice. I was ecstatic. I saw Sarah Hughes skate, live! Anyway, I may not be one of her most loyal fans, or one which has enjoyed seeing her skate for years and years, but I do know this, Sarah is a beautiful and elegant skater. And for that, I admire her, and will always be a fan of hers.
(7-12-02) Maddy
Well, In Feb. I was watching the olympics with my Dad (I'm only 12), skating was my favorite. I want to be a skater. Anyway I was glad Sarah won gold. I would have been upset if Michelle Kwan won gold. Her long wasn't the best. It was Sarah's. And what an upset! When it was (most likely) already decied that Michelle would win. It was sad for Michelle & her fans, although Sarah really should have won. Her long program was the best. Not a hardly any if any flaws. What a great program! That's what happens when you don't worry and have fun. So I started to check clubs on Yahoo and then site. And now I'm planning to make a Sarah Hughes scrapbook! When my mom and Dad got me one of the figure skating magazines with Sarah on the cover I felt like writing her another letter. Yes I wrote her! I'll let you know ( if I remember) when I get something back. Goodness knows I wrote her enough times!
(7-12-02) Stephanie
Hello, my name is Stephanie Littman. I live in Carmel, IN. I am 13 and I love to skate just like Sarah does. I first saw Sarah skate at the 2002 US Nationals. I have never really been a big fan of Michelle Kwan, so I was looking to see who I thought would be the next Olympic champion, besides Michelle. I saw both Sasha Cohen and Sarah skate and feel in love with the skating of both. I liked Sasha for her flexibility and Sarah for her jumping ability and layback spin. When I saw the long program I new both would make the Olympic team. I really wanted Sarah to win the win the Olympics, but after her fourth place in the short and the wonderful skaters in the medal rankings, I new even receiving a medal would be hard. Then the night of the long program. I sat down to watch as I saw Sarah take the ice I saw no look of fear, I saw a confident 16 year old ready to give it her all. During her whole performance I was on the edge of my seat. After her first Triple-Triple I saw a huge smile and I new there were even better thing to come. After her second Triple-Triple the smile grew, and when she landed her last jump I thought she was going to explode with joy. I was running around the room yelling Sarah Rocks. It was so exciting, I now more than ever really, really wanted her to win. But still to come was Michelle, Sasha, and Irina. When Sasha fell I new Sarah had at least a bronze. Then when Michelle skated I knew Sarah could beat her in the long program, but overall seamed impossible. But never say things are impossible. After Irina skated I new Sarah won the long, but what would the overall standings be. I was nervous just watching, I can't imagine how nervous Sarah was. Then I heard the words I had been waiting for the entire time after Sarah's program. SARAH HUGHES IS THE OLYMPIC CHAMPION! I was so excited I could not sit still. I am so happy for Sarah and wish her the best of luck. That is how I became a Sarah fan and I will always stay one.
(7-3-02) Dominic
Hello, my name is Dominic Marchello Bugna. I live in the city of San Jose in the state of California. I am 17 years old. Since the month of February, 2002, I have been a very big fan of the Ice-Skating Champion Sarah Hughes. On the evening of the Women's Ice-Skating Competition for the Olympics on February 21, 2002, I was watching, on my television, all of the Ice-Skaters with delight. When I saw Sarah Hughes getting ready to perform, I thought to myself "My, Sarah Hughes is a beautiful young lady. She has a beautiful appearance and a very gorgeous lavender costume." When I saw her ice-skate, I was just amazed on how well she could ice-skate! Her balance, turns and tripple flips were perfect. I knew at the end that she was most likely going to win the Gold Medal. And sure enough, she did! "I shouted in front of my television, "Yes! All Right Sarah Hughes! You are the Champion!" I saw her and her wonderful coach Robin Wagner burst into tears with happiness. I even saw her hug her wonderful parents John and Amy Hughes with total happiness and excitement. Since that day I told myself " I really want to know a lot about Sarah Hughes." Because of her wonderful performance, I started to become very interested in her. Recently in late April of 2002, I wrote Sarah Hughes a letter and I sent her a birthday card because I knew that her birthday was on the 2nd of May. I wanted her to get it right on time for her birthday. In my letter to Sarah, I told her how much I loved watching her performance, I congratulated her and shared with her some of my interests. I told her that I attend Branham High School in San Jose, I would like to become a Skyscraper Architect or a Mechanical Engineer when I get older, I love the study of elevators, escalators, garage doors and garage door openers. I said to Sarah that garage door openers have a wonderful technology on how they open and close a garage door. I explained that I love the study of foreign languages. I told Sarah that I can speak English, German, Italian and French fluently. I then concluded my letter to Sarah by saying that I wish her, her coach and her family a very happy life now and forever on. The birthday card I sent to her was very detailed with wonderful designs. As time went on, I just couldn't get over the fact on how beautiful Sarah Hughes was. Her smile and looks made me feel very good about myself. She is just so sweet and natural. Her attitude,I know, was great! I saw that she was talking to everyone with respect. I saw that she was showing her love to everybody. I saw that she was not stuck up in any way. She did not brag or boast to the other Ice-Skaters when she won the Gold Medal. She is one gifted, talented and lively young lady. I did love the Ice-Skating performace she did after the Competition for the lost ones on September 11th. She put a bouquet of flowers on the Ice-Skating rink and did a lively performance. That number did really make me feel proud! I love the fact that Sarah is a New Yorker! "Yeah, Sarah!" I hope to live in Manhattan, New York City when I finish college. It's cool that she lives in Great Neck, Long Island, just 20 miles east from the Throggs Neck Bridge in Queens. I found it interesting to know that she attends Great Neck North High School and maintains a straight A average. Sarah is very smart! I know that she wants to be a doctor when she finishes college. I'm sure that she will make a good doctor! I hope that one day I will get a chance to meet her. I would love to talk to her and get a chance to know her as a person. I hope to continue to keep in touch with her. I will continue to write to her and send her some of my honor artistic drawings whenever I am not busy. I love Sarah Hughes! I do have a special place in my heart for her! I do wish her all the best now and forever on. She has a smart coach and a wonderful, loving family. I have never Ice-Skated before, but I will try and learn so I can be just like Sarah! I will give it my best effort. To say, I do love the study of Ice-Skating. It is a unique relaxing sport! To conclude, I hope to be a Sarah Hughes fan for the rest of my life!
(6-30-02) Robert
I just scanned through a lot of the email and I could really feel the emotion in each message.
Sarah is something special, way beyond her skills on the ice. She wants to contribute so
much to the world and it's a beautiful thing to see. I read recently that Sarah said she felt
like she "connects" with her fans. Oh, does she! She is greatly admired because of her
years of dedication to the sport of figure skating and her desire to do better and keep improving.
She does it with a flair but, she remains very much at home, so to speak. Although very
competitive with a keen desire to win, Sarah's heart is always on stage. We, her fans, read
her every smile; every frown; every wrinkle and every move. We move every move with her,
giving her 100% of our support. Yes, we want Sarah to win, but, we want Sarah to be Sarah,
more than anything else. I, personally, will follow the different chapters in Sarah's life and
wish her all the best. Another Olympics; a career in entertainment and the arts; a medical
career; a prominent spokesperson for a variety of charitable causes. You name it. And we'll
know one thing for sure, Sarah will give it all she has. And, that's where we "connect".
Some of us just haven't fulfilled our dreams, or accomplished all that we would have liked to
and, in Sarah, we see a way to get that done. In a way, man or woman, boy or girl, we see
Sarah as someone who can do things for us we just don't seem to be able to get done
ourselves. I can't read enough about her and will rearrange my hours to make sure I see
her on the tube. Recently, she was at The Meadowlands, in New Jersey, and I bought
16 tickets for the daytime and evening performances for her visit with the COI. How
old am I? I don't think that's important. But, if Sarah is looking for a grandfather figure,
just call me gramps!
(5-18-02) Clint
Hi, my name is Clint, and I have to come clean, I am not a figure skating fan. I love sports, but figure skating was never something I would sit down and watch regularly. But after the Olympics, I, like so many other Americans, am a Sarah Hughes fan. I know, bandwagon? No, it was just real. So many athletes know they're good and just go out and do their thing so monotonous, mechanical. But Sarah always has a big smile on her face, she's charismatic and beautiful, she has one of the greatest smiles I've ever seen. Which is why I started a campaign to get her to be my prom date. Yep, that was me. The guy in People Magazine. I also had a few tv and radio spots, as well as newspaper articles about my little campaign. But to no avail, she did not come, which I understood, she's a busy person. However, I was succesful in contacting her. I wrote her a letter and somehow, be it fate or something else, she read my letter. Out of the boxes of mail she receives, she read my letter. How do I know? She mentioned it in two different articles. That, and she wrote me back, thanking me for the invitation and apologizing that she could not make it. She sent a signed picture and signed a copy of the People Magazine for me. I've got them both framed and I cherish the fact that I was able to contact not only a truly great athlete, but a truly great and special human being. She may say that in a few years no one will want their picture taken with her, but for me, I'll always cherish my picture she sent me personally.
(5-15-02) Andrew
I've became a figure skating fan since 1992 winter olympics. up through 1997
when my life got too hectic and I couldn't keep up with all the happenings on
the ice. The first time I heard of Sarah was shortly before the 2002
Olympics. I seen her on the ice and immediately was greatly impressed by her
composure and serenity on the ice. In her Winning performance at the
Olympics, when she executed two triple-triples flawlessly, I freaked. When
she was finished I knew she had the gold. I was so happy. It was great.
Saw her at her Long Island Parade. She's a great Champion. Hope to see her
at 2003 World Championships.
(5-15-02) Skategurl0987
I am a figure skatera nd I am moving to the top quickly, but during the Olympics, I was watching the
interviews and Sarah happened to be the one that was the most down to earth and most like me.
She taught me that if I want something, if I work hard enough, I can get it. She is my motivation and I love to watch
her skate. She is so beautiful!
(5-10-02) Whitley
I became a Sarah Fan when I watched her skate to Fosse at the exhibition.
She was so graceful, but had some sass. When I watched her skate at the
Olympics, from my room on the tiny black and white portable TV we have, I
was so moved. Even though I only caught the very end I could tell how much
she had to offer. I watched her the next morning on the Today show and
watched her all weekend. I have started doing a project on Sarah and now I
can't get enough of her!! I'm also reading a book about her and I realize
how she has improved. She started in Seniors at 13, competed in Worlds and
again the next year. Didn't win 1st either time but worked her hardest and
beat Michelle and Irina out for the gold. I think Sarah has a lot of
potential and will not stop here. I hope to see her at the 2006 Olympics.
(5-1-02) Melinda
I have been a figure skating fan all my life. From the
first time I saw the Sonja Henie movie, to the time I
tried on my mom's size 7 ice skates on the scorching
hot gravel at age 3. I never got into figure skating,
for the same reasons as many others (money, time,
parents, & location). However, I was always athletic
and followed my other dreams (basketball, track, etc.)
and I continued to watch the other successful skaters
with envy and awe. I have never really enjoyed a
female figure skater, I always feel as if I should be
in their shoes (or skates for that matter). This was
especially true with Sarah. She came from a huge
family like me, I have 5 siblings as well. She was not
annoyingly beautiful and she wasn't loud either (just
like me). When she won the gold I wondered "Why
could'nt I have had the oppourtunities that she has, I
could have been just as succesful". However, after
reading a lot about her I just could'nt bring myself
to dislike her. She wants to be a doctor, a dream I
have always had. She works her butt off, and she goes
for her dreams. I was more like her in high school,
but since I graduated high school in 2000 I have been
in the dumps, and I no longer give 100% and go after
my crazy dreams. I was reading about her one day as I
skipped another college class, I was too depreessed
and busy feeling sorry for myself to go. I was on your
website reading about what others had to say about
her, how inspirational she was...
when it hit me. There are thousands of people who have
been handed the same opportunities as her. No one told
her "Here is a pair of skates, now go become an
olympic
gold medalist". She took the opportunities she DID
have and turned it into success. I cant imagine what I
would do if one of my parents had cancer, or if I had
to deal with more then one older brother! She is the
true definition of perseverance, hope, desire, and
triumph. I am only 19, and I have a HUGE life ahead of
me. It doesnt matter that I didnt become what others
did, I have so many opportunities right in my face. I
became a Sarah fan not during the olympics or any
other skating event, but during that moment I first
realized what a caring, determined, harworker she is.
She is truly an inspiration and I wish her all my
blessings and best wishes.
(4-30-02) Cara
I started liking Sarah at the 2001 Nationals. I liked the way she
persented herself and her skating. Though I was rooting for Michelle at
the Olympics I don't think that anyone other than Sarah desevered that
gold medal. If anyone else had won I would think that it was prejudged.
That night the best skater won the best skater was Sarah.
(4-26-02) Rebecca
Hi. My name is Rebecca and I am seven. I didn't know any skaters but
Michelle Kwan before the Olympics. After the short program at the Olympics,
I was wishing Sasha Cohen would win. After Sarah skated in the long program
I was rooting for Sarah instead. She is such a beautiful skater and
wonderful person. After that, I wanted to be able to be in the same stadium
as Sarah, so we ordered tickets for my mom and I to go see Champions on Ice
in Boston. We knew there was a chance Sarah wouldn't be there. When we saw
Lang and Tchernichev in the introduction, we had never been happier, but when
we saw Sarah skate out we were happier than ever.
I go onto your Sarah Hughes website almost every day. Congratulations Sarah;
you deserved the gold medal. Thank you Diane for a great site.
(4-26-02) Diane
I was quite busy bringing up seven profoundly handicapped adopted children and treading to practice three cities away 50 hours a week to practice school figures, freestyle and dance as an artistic roller skater. I was 52 years old at the time. I skated competitively nearly every weekend throughout the country and toured internationally. Kids stood in awe when an ole lady could still land a double!
My skating career came to an abrupt halt one icy morning when a semi-trailer truck "topped off" my car, taking a portion of my skull andbrain with it, which is in a constant atropying state. My 8 wheels were traded in for two on a wheelchair!
But skating is skating, so I became a certified judge, coach (from my wheelchair) and referee, and thrived on the televised figure skating competitons on ice. I studied them and tested as a figure skating judge.
I tuned in around 1999 and saw Sarah skate in the Keri Lotion USA vs World (team). I was amazed at the maturity of this very young skater! She had attitude; personality; and backed it up with outstanding technical ability far beyond her years. I was impressed!
Sarah literally saved my life--she gave me a reason to live; to care, even though my skating days were over. Her jumps and spins had EDGES and her stretch-power was fantastic! I felt I had grown whith her in my mind!
The night Sarah won the Gold at Salt Lake City at the Olympics, I will never, ever forget the most precious, pure look of surprise and accomplishment that she projected! As she lay the flowers on the ice in the 9/11 performance in exhibition, a true Golden Girl was born.
Thank you, Sarah, for give the USA a true winner of stature and quality! Good luck in your schooling and YOU GO GIRL!!
(4-24-02) BCanell
First of all, my mother is the one who watches the figure skating in my household, not me. I am a casual skating enthusiast, which means that I find it interesting but it is not at the top of my sports viewing list (I am more of a NASCAR and college basketball fan), but the first time I saw Sarah Hughes perform I think it was 2001 Skate America. I remember that she was quite talented at that point already, but what impressed me most was her eyes. Not just her eyes, mind you, but the fire that seemed to dwell in the darkness of their centers. It reflected to me a mind of quiet resolve and ambition, and it could not be quenched. At the Olympics in the Long Program, that fire exploded from her and lit the Salt Lake night. I fell in love with her skating and her determination. Her performance brought tears to my eyes (and hers as I saw). At first, I feared the worst . . . with the top 3 still to skate, that awesome performance might still not be enough for a medal. When Sasha Cohen collapsed, I admit (no offense to Sasha) that I was relieved that the pressure was off and that Sarah would at least be credited with a medal, even if it wasn't gold. But my jaw dropped when Kwan and then Slutskaya also collapsed, and Sarah's performance (and a complex scoring system which makes sense to me at least, even if it is bothersome) made her a gold medal winner! How awesome it must be for her, and what poise she has handled herself. Is there anything she can't do? I wouldn't even know what to say if I actually got a chance to meet her. So many people have dreams and see them crushed, or they despair and toss them to the wayside . . . I know because I've had dreams and they have died. But Sarah Hughes' awesome dream of glory has only just started. Congratulations to the most humble and wonderful Sarah Hughes!
(4-3-02) Phillip
My name is Phillip and I'm nineteen. I live in Utah about forty minutes from Salt Lake, and the first time I watched Sarah was at the short program at the olympics. I remember sitting in the stands and thinking, that girl is an incredible skater. I am no skating expert or anything, but I could tell as I watched her that she performed with something different than the others that I watched. She impressed me enough to watch for her in the long program as well. Watching her performance in the long program I was so impressed not only by her skating but by the person she seemed to be. She skated with something more than just skill and talent. She seemed to put her whole heart into her performance, and it made her shine. Her program was so beautiful and inspiring it seemed to me that she had the spirit of God pushing her along. I just remember that I went to bed that night wanting to be a better person. Since then I have read about her some and have found that she comes from a larger family that is rather close and her mom has suffered from cancer. I come from a family of eight children and my mom has cancer as well. so to see her rise about more than just the competition, and be such a cheerful and inspiring person in the publics eye is something remarkable. She has been and inpiration to me, as well as countless others. Sarah, thank you for bringing out the best in people with your wonderful example. congradulations on your gold, you deserve it!
(4-3-02) Katie
As a second year college student at Virginia Tech, I don't watch much
TV, but I was sure to tune into the Olympics in February and was hooked at
just about everything I saw...I guess I just needed an inspirational lift at
the time. Needless to say, I got behind in my reading...but anyway...
I hadn't seen Sarah skate before but had heard of her (both she and Sasha
were newcomers for me). I wasn't much of a fan of other skaters from the
past except for those such as Scott Hamilton, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Surya
Bonaly, and Philippe Candeloro...and then Michelle Kwan. BUT, my gosh, even
after Sarah's short program (although she wasn't on the podium then), I
thought she was an awesome skater. Watching her skate was breath-taking. I
wanted her to win...at least second (I felt bad for Michelle who had fallen
short to gold before). Then, watching her long performance, my sister and I
had big grins on our faces...we were in awe! I loved how she shrieked after
she landed her last jump just after the announcers said she didn't really
need the jump at all. Afterwards, watching Michelle and Sasha fall was so
painful...and we were holding our breaths throughout Irina's performance.
As bad as it might sound, we were relieved when she had to hold on to a
landing. I was ecstatic when it was announced Sarah had gotten the GOLD.
She is such a powerful skater...but at the same time...is mature enough to
have the grace and beauty of not only an Olympian...but the best skater I
have seen.
As if that wasn't enough, she's intelligent and portrays the perfect (well,
as close to perfect as you can get...since there's no such thing as perfect)
role model for everyone...not just teenagers. She makes me want to be, if
not back in middle school, then in high school again just so I could try
harder at all the things I did...school, track, cross country, basketball,
dance...so now, looking back, I could say that I truly did the best I could.
So, keep up the good work Sarah...you'll reach your dreams.
(4-3-02) Jon
Hi, I am 16 and I reside on the other side of the continent in Canada,
in the city Calgary. Alike many others, I became one of sarah's fan while
watching her perform in the the free program at the olympics. Her
presentation was absolutely virtuosic. Such grace and elegance truly
brightens the screen. Afterwards, I read several articles written about her.
It is significant how dedicated and hard-working she is to achieving her
goals not only in skating, but also in her education and her imminent future
as well. This has inspired me to do the same for myself. So without further
ado, I would like to say; Congraduations on your victory Sarah! Keep working
hard and tackle any challenges coming your way. I wish you the very best in
your future.
(4-2-02) Angie
I became a Sarah fan after watching her in the 1998 nationals exhibition. She was just cute then. Sarah made me even more of her fan, though, after I saw her in the Olympics this year. That was because she really performed. Sarah made me so very happy because of that.
(4-2-02) Sue
Hi, my name is Sue and I have always loved watching figure skating. Up until Sarah Hughes made the scene, I was a fan of Oksana Baiul and then, Tara Lipinski. Then, I got a look at Sarah, and became an instant admirer. She defines the word "natural" when she glides along the ice, but even more than that, she has the best attitude I've ever seen among the well-known ice skaters. I may have been screaming louder than she was when she won the Olympic Gold at Salt Lake! I guess you could say I've always been a figure-skating "Wanna-be," and if I had achieved that goal, I would have wanted to be just like Sarah Hughes.
(4-1-02) Noli
I must admit that I admire and respect Sarah for many reasons. The main reasons are: Seeing her grace and poise, which has been evident to me since her junior skating years; Learning about the close ties with, and her dedication to, her parents and siblings; And, that she reminds me so much of me in High School. I was estudious, dedicated to my studies and work, and pretty much a nerd, yet won numerous awards and even a couple of championships. Sarah Rules! You go girl!
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