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)

Sarah Hughes, Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek at Figure Skating in Harlem benefit

What an amazing evening last night at Wollman Rink in Central Park, NYC! Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH), a not-for-profit program that combines academics with ice skating for girls in the Harlem community, held their annual fundraiser benefit called Skating with the Stars. The honorees this year were 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes and Terry and Tina Lundgren. Terry is the CEO is Macy's and Tina is on the advisory board of FSH as well as a world skating judge. All three are long-time supporters of FSH and have helped FSH founder Sharon Cohen and her staff raise lots of money for the girls.

On hand to lend their support to this worthy organization -- Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen, Todd Eldredge, Joannie Rochette, Adam Rippon, Fumie Suguri, Jeremy Abbott, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, Timothy Goebel, Emily Hughes, Nastia Liukin, Lucinda Ruh, Vera Wang, Kenneth Cole, Ramona Singer (from Real Housewives of NYC), fashion designer Chris Benz, Donald and Melania Trump, and the list goes on. Interviews with skaters coming up! (Photo above, honoree Sarah Hughes with FSH girls, photo below, Johnny Weir)

Skating with the Stars in April to honor Sarah Hughes

SKATING WITH THE STARS GALA TO HONOR SARAH HUGHES AND TERRY AND TINA LUNDGREN

Star-studded event benefitting Figure Skating in Harlem features skating champions and celebrities on the ice with guests at Wollman Rink, Central Park in NYC

Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) is pleased to announce its Seventh Annual Skating with the Stars gala honoring Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes, Macy’s Chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren, and author and World Figure Skating Judge Tina Lundgren. This fun and unique benefit event will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011, from 6pm-9pm at Wollman Rink in Central Park, New York City. It will certainly be another fantastic evening to raise critically-needed funds for Figure Skating in Harlem’s (FSH) innovative and empowering youth development program. (Photo at right, Sarah Hughes, left, with sister Emily Hughes, at 2010 FSH gala)      

Melania and Donald Trump and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star (and FSH Board Chair Emerita) Tamara Tunie will serve as this year’s Honorary Chairs; Maria Cuomo Cole and Kenneth Cole and Ann and Andrew Tisch are Gala Co-Chairs. The Gala’s Celebrity Benefit Committee includes Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Rhonda Ross, Sherri Shepherd, and others.

Past celebrity guests at this always star-studded night include Kelly Ripa, Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Vera Wang, Carson Kressley, Kimberley Locke, Olympic Gold Medalist and Dancing with the Stars’ contestant Evan Lysacek, Star Jones, and Kelly Rowland.

Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to skate side by side with Sarah Hughes and many more Olympic champions including Evan Lysacek, Dorothy Hamill, Sasha Cohen, Johnny Weir, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, Meryl Davis and Charlie White (2010 Olympic Silver Medalists and 2011 US Champions), Todd Eldredge, Rachael Flatt (2010 US Women’s Figure Skating Champion), Emily Hughes, Mirai Nagasu, and Joannie Rochette.

Tickets to the gala, which include skating and dinner, start at $300 and are available by calling (212) 675-9474. Visit www.charitybuzz.com soon to find great auction items for bidding online.

Since its establishment in 1997, Figure Skating in Harlem has transformed the lives of over one thousand New York City girls, helping them to grow in confidence, leadership, and academic success. Through its unique programming, FSH empowers young girls by combining educational, artistic, and fitness opportunities through the discipline of skating. As always, the proceeds from this year’s gala are vital. FSH is constantly growing to meet the needs of the girls it serves and has set its sights on expanding to a new Leading Edge Skating and Education Center of their own.

(Photo below, Johnny Weir attends 2010 FSH gala with Donald and Melania Trump)