Joannie Rochette continues to inspire (video)

I caught up with Joannie Rochette, 2010 Olympic bronze medalist, in NYC at Figure Skating in Harlem's 2011 benefit gala in April. For those unaware, Joannie was the face of courage and inspiration at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. A few days before the ladies short program, her mother (and also best friend and confidante) died of a massive heart attack. Joannie continued to compete, put together two strong programs, and won the bronze. It's hard, actually it's impossible, for me to imagine what she was feeling on the podium, as her mother was the biggest supporter of her skating career and wasn't there to share in one of her biggest victories.

Since the Olympics, Joannie took time off from competition and has been involved in various charities, which include World Vision Canada and organizations that promote women's heart health. She also toured with the US and Canada Stars on Ice, is in high demand as a speaker, and continues to perform in ice shows. The next chapter in Joannie's life has just begun! (Photo at right, Joannie Rochette performs at Rockefeller Skating Rink for the Today Show)

Other attendees and supporters at Figure Skating in Harlem's annual gala included Sarah Hughes (she was also the honoree for her long-time support of the organization), Evan Lysacek, Johnny Weir, Jeremy Abbott, Adam Rippon, Tanith Belbin, Ben Agosto, Todd Eldredge, Timothy Goebel, Lucinda Ruh, Emily Hughes, and many more. See complete coverage of the gala here.

Johnny Weir launches Little Black Dress collection on eDressMe.com (video)

FINALLY! Johnny Weir is coming out with a dress line on April 30. Available exclusively on eDressMe.com starting April 30, the dresses will be revealed during a skating show called Ice Dreams in Bensenville, Illinois. Prices for the collection range from $198 - $298 - Johnny's initial collection consists of six “Little Black Dress” styles, boasting ostrich feathers, netting and sequin accents.

I say "finally" because it was only a matter of time, right people? First his song came out "Dirty Love," then his autobiography "Welcome to My World," so naturally the next project would be a clothing and jewelry line. And yes, he is also working on a jewelry line and his agent Tara Modlin often models the samples everywhere she goes. What, no bag line? I bet it's coming...Here's Johnny talking about all this, in addition to coming out of the closet, at the 2011 Figure Skating in Harlem benefit on April 4. (Photo above, Johnny Weir attends 2011 Figure Skating in Harlem benefit in NYC)

Jeremy Abbott sets sights on 2014 Sochi Olympics (video)

Here's my conversation with one of my favorite skaters -- Jeremy Abbott -- at Figure Skating in Harlem's 2011 benefit gala. The two-time US National champion and 2010 Olympian had a tough 2010-2011 season, finishing fourth at this past US Nationals, second and third in his Grand Prix events, and third at Four Continents. With his fourth place finish at Nationals, he didn't make it to the World Championships (which begin April 27 in Moscow, Russia) which was a huge disappointment for him. Apparently, his Reidell boots were a major part of the problem and he's working with the company to correct whatever issues hampered him this season. In addition, he's seriously thinking about the 2014 Sochi Olympics(!) but hasn't fully committed to the idea yet.

Figure Skating in Harlem's annual gala this year also featured Sarah Hughes (who was also an honoree for her long-time support of the organization), Evan Lysacek, Johnny Weir, Joannie Rochette, Sasha Cohen, Timothy Goebel, Tanith Belbin, Benjamin Agosto, Todd Eldredge, Emily Hughes, Lucinda Ruh, Adam Rippon, Fumie Suguri, Vera Wang, as well as Donald and Melania Trump, Kenneth Cole and the list goes on. The event raised over $500,000 for a new academic center that will open year-round. Currently, the program, which combines ice skating lessons with academics, runs for most of the year but founder Sharon Cohen wants the academic portion to run all the time. As she told me at the event, "Figure skating will teach the girls about discipline, hard work and perseverance, but the education factor will take them even farther."

Coming up next...Johnny Weir designs his first "little black dress"

Adam Rippon leaves Brian Orser to train with Ghislain Briand (video)

First Yu-Na Kim and now Adam Rippon!?! Last week, Adam, a two-time World junior champion and Japan Open winner, announced that he was leaving coach Brian Orser whom he had been with for over two years. Brian Orser coached Yu-Na to her Olympic gold medal in Vancouver and then they abruptly parted ways six months later (no reasons given, lots of innuendos on who did what to whom). Hopes were high that Brian would work his magic on Adam, who is a top US men's competitor. What happened? Adam decided that they were not "on the same page" and that a change was in order. Enter new coach Ghislain Briand, who is already on Adam's coaching team, so Ghislain will now be taking on a permanent full-time role as Adam's coach at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. Brian coaches at the club as well so will this be awkward? According to Adam, no, of course not.

Adam and I spoke about all of this in NYC on April 4 when he attended a benefit for Figure Skating in Harlem. This is a program that provides young girls in the Harlem community with free ice skating lessons as well as academic tutoring. Adam said he appreciates programs that provide great after-school activities as he and his five siblings have all benefited from participating in constructive extracurricular activities growing up in Scranton. Adam also reflected on the past season, including the highs (winning the Japan Open) and lows (his short program at US Nationals where he placed fifth overall).(Photo at right, Adam on the red carpet at Figure Skating in Harlem benefit)

Coming up next...my conversation with Jeremy Abbott and the curse of the boot problems that torpedoed his season.

Adam Rippon, Jeremy Abbott, Tanith Belbin and Sarah Hughes on rescheduling 2011 Worlds (video)

On Monday, I caught up with Adam Rippon, Jeremy Abbott, Tanith Belbin and Sarah Hughes in NYC to ask them what they thought about moving Worlds from Japan to Russia. The skaters were attending a benefit for Figure Skating in Harlem, an organization that combines academics with ice skating lessons for young girls in the Harlem community. More interviews to come with Adam, Jeremy, Sarah, as well as Joannie Rochette, Fumie Suguri, Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek! (Photo below, left to right, Jeremy Abbott, Fumie Suguri and Adam Rippon)