Youth no barrier for skating star
| Source: |
Albuquerque Journal |
| Date: |
January 18, 2002 |
| Author: |
Tracy Dingmann |
Copyright 2002 Albuquerque Journal
Golden Tara Lipinski has grown up in spotlight
Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski is used to being the youngest
in everything she does.
She was only 15 when she became the youngest winter Olympian to
win a gold medal in an individual sport. Now 19, she is the youngest
skater on the Target Stars on Ice tour, which also features Olympic
champions Kristi Yamaguchi, Katerina Witt and Ilia Kulik and world
champion Kurt Browning.
"I've always been the youngest in everything I do," said the
bubbly performer in a telephone interview from the road. "It doesn't
bother me. It keeps me striving and keeps me who I am."
This is Lipinski's fourth year with the Target tour, and this time
around she does something really special on the ice, she says.
"I do two solo numbers, and one of my solos is a tribute to
Sept. 11. It's kind of emotional."
Lipinski's other solo is a devotion to St. Therese Little Flower
to "The Color of Roses," by Beth Neilson Chapman.
"I became fascinated with her when I was younger," said Lipinski
of the French saint. "I liked the story about how you pray to her for
five days and on the fifth day you receive a shower of roses."
Lipinski said she also admires the fact that Therese, as a feisty
young girl, appealed to the pope to enter the convent at age 15 after
being told she was too young.
"It sort of related to what I struggled for," she said. "And, she
didn't seem perfect, so I could relate to her."
In Stars on Ice, Lipinski also performs with the rest of the
female skaters in a high-energy, showgirl-type number.
"We do some talking on the mike and really interact with the
audience," she said.
Lipinski vows she will never give up skating, but she has been
branching out into acting lately. She has appeared on several
television shows and recently appeared in the movie "Vanilla Sky." And
she has a co-starring role in the upcoming independent feature "The
Metro Chase."
"I wouldn't leave skating behind, because that is part of my
life. It was the Stars on Ice tour that made me realize how much fun I
have with the acting part of performing."
Target Stars on Ice
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22
WHERE: Tingley Coliseum, New Mexico State Fairgrounds
HOW MUCH: $56, $43 and $33 through Ticketmaster at 883-7800 or
online at ticketmaster.com
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