Rachael Flatt, 2009 U.S. silver medalist, looks to the future

Ahhh, to be sixteen again. The future is bright, wide-open, the possibilities are endless, and life is to be enjoyed. That's definitely the vibe I got from Rachael Flatt, the two-time U.S. silver medalist and who came in fifth at the recent World championships. Rachael was in New York City to support Figure Skating in Harlem's benefit gala and this is her second time in the Big Apple. When she told me that the last time she was in NYC was when she was nine, I thought, "Nine? You remember that far back?" Then I quickly realized, "Oh wait, you're only sixteen, you would remember when you were nine." Boy, I feel old.

Anyway, Rachael is looking forward to next season, working on new programs, preparing for a possible trip to the Olympics and having Dorothy Hamill as her mentor, while continuing to attend high school. In the meantime, her immediate plans include a one week vacation in Hawaii. So to come full circle, ahhh...to be sixteen again. But not for long -- on Tuesday, she turns 17!