tai babilonia

Episode #66: Ricky Harris

June 2013 An interview with Ricky Harris, the first dedicated figure skating choreographer, and author of three books on figure skating and choreography. Ricky Harris skated with the Sonia Henie show, and created a series of successful workshops that are being continued by American Ice Theater with Jodi Porter. She did choreography for Evan Lysacek,…

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Episode #50: David Kirby

OCTOBER 2011 An interview with David Kirby, who knows everything there is to know about figure skating. His father show skated with Sonia Henie. His parents were Canadian champions. He’s been a Novice champion. He skated in Ice Capades. He owns ice rinks. He coaches. He was PSA President. He’s one of the first members…

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Episode #48: Randy Gardner

MAY 2011 An interview with Randy Gardner, 1979 World Champion in Pairs with Tai Babilonia, two time Olympian (1976 and 1980), choreographer, star of Ice Follies and head of Randy G Productions. We talk about his experiences with Mabel Fairbanks, his injury during the Lake Placid Olympics that caused them to withdraw, and who he’d…

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Episode #44: Jojo Starbuck

DECEMBER 2010 An interview with Jojo Starbuck. With partner Ken Shelley, she won three US titles, two World Bronze medals and was in both the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. We discuss her career on and off the ice, her love for performing, and her incredible story of why the Japanese Federation made her miss a…

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Episode #28: Tai Babilonia

JUNE 2009 An interview with Tai Babilonia, who with her Pairs partner Randy Gardner was a two-time Olympian, World Champion, and star of Ice Capades. 1 hour, 30 minutes, 46 seconds. Thanks to Fiona McQuarrie for transcribing these interview highlights: On her most embarrassing skating moment:  I don’t know what year this was, but Randy…

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Episode #15: John Nicks

MAY 2008 An interview with John Nicks, world class coach of many top-notch skaters, including Tai Babilonia/Randy Gardner, Sasha Cohen, and Jojo Starbuck/Ken Shelley. And don’t think of calling him anything but “Mr. Nicks.” 48 minutes long. Thanks to Fiona McQuarrie for transcribing these interview highlights: On his most embarrassing skating moment: It’s very clear….

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