Spotlight on Tiffany Vise

Tiffany Vise, 15, skates for the Broadmoor Skating Club in Colorado. As a junior, she skates both singles and pairs, and has previously finished 6th at the 2000 Novice Nationals as a single skater.

When, where, and why did you start skating?
I started skating when I was 4 years old and I'm 15 now! I started skating at the old Broadmoor skating rink before they tore it down, in Colorado Springs, CO. My parents took me for public skating and I have liked it ever since!

Is it difficult for you to skate both pairs and singles?
It's not difficult to skate both pairs and singles!! I think it actually helps me! I really enjoy the pairs because I am competing with someone, and in singles, I really like to jump! Doing both is hard work, but it also is not as hard as people think! One discipline doesn't take away from the other discipline.

What is a short term goal you would like to accomplish this season? Long term goal?
My short term goal is to make Junior Worlds or to make it to Nationals in both singles and pairs. My long term goal is to go to Worlds!

Your younger sister, Brittany, also skates. Can you describe what it is like to be a member of a "figure skating family"?
Being in a skating family is tough, well at least for my mom! She is at the rink 24/7 for either for me or my sister! Both Brittany and I do both disciplines. Skating is really expensive, especially for 2 skaters, but my mom said it's all worth it! It's nice to have someone at the rink that you know you will get along with.

What can the fans look forward to in your short and long programs?
Singles - Long program: double axel, 2 triple salchows, triple flip, triple lutz, triple toe! Short program: triple lutz-double toe, double axel. Pairs - Long program: side by side triple salchows and double axels, throw triple salchow, also an inverted star lift, no-handed, with a pretty position on the landing instead of a traditional landing. We are going to start working on throw triple loop and triple twist in the next month for our Junior Grand Prix events! [Editor's Note: On September 18, 2001, the USFSA withdrew all of its skaters from the remaining Junior Grand Prix competitions because of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The USFSA's official statement can be read at: http://www.usfsa.org/news/2001-02/jgp-wdrawal.htm.] Short Program: side by side double axel, tap overhead into a star lift, then flip out.

What is your best/favorite skating element and why?
My best/favorite skating elements are triple salchow because that jump I can do in my sleep!! I have had this element for so long. And also throw triple salchow because it is so consistent I rarely fall on it! I like throw triples also because I feel like I fly in it, and it is huge!

Which female and male figure skaters do you look up to the most?
Female skater - Michelle Kwan because under pressure she still can do an awesome program. Male skater - Todd Eldredge because he skates my way (clockwise) and also he has an awesome 2nd mark and can jump great.

What is it about skating that you love so much?
The thing that I love most about skating is getting the reaction from the crowd on my skating!! I love competing. It is so much fun to meet new kids and be friends with them! Also, skating at a competition and feeling like it is all worth working hard for!!

Interview compiled by Hadas for Unseen Skaters; September 2001