Hamilton happy to end long program

Copyright 2000, Sun-Sentinel Co. & South Florida Interactive, Inc.

There are new mountains for Scott Hamilton to climb.

After what seems his umpteenth year on tour, the 42-year-old figure skater is leaving Target Stars On Ice after this season to pursue other interests. Hamilton's Farewell Tour comes to National Car Rental Center next Sunday.

Hamilton makes it clear he is not retiring. Down the road he probably will do a few special appearances on the tour, which he co-founded 15 years ago and co-produces. Right now he wants to have a life that doesn't include living out of a suitcase from November to April in 66 cities.

He plans to split time between his home base of Denver and Los Angeles, where he feels the most relaxed and can play golf every day.

"I am hungry for some balance in my life," Hamilton said. "The tour is a very significant part of my life, but it's not my entire life.

"My career has blinded me for so long. I just want to do personal and goofy things. A relationship outside of the tour is impossible. I have no chance of even having a pet. I want to buy a Great Dane. I want to buy a dog that's bigger than me."

The 5-foot-3 figure skater has always been larger than life. The adopted son of Bowling Green professors Ernest and Dorothy Hamilton overcame Schwachman Syndrome, an illness that prohibits growth in children. He was 2 when stricken. Mistakenly diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, he was placed on a special diet and exercises and eventually recovered. Though bedridden at times during the next six years, he was inspired by his older sister Susan and started ice skating.

His long list of accomplishments in the sport includes a gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games and four world titles.

Hamilton was faced with another serious health problem when diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1997. By design, it was well-publicized by Hamilton, and along with Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, they have helped raise awareness about the curable disease.

"For people with testicular cancer that are going through their treatments and challenges, feel fortunate that there is a treatment," Hamilton said. "Understand that it will be a hard episode in your life. Understand that the treatment will try to defeat you and damage your spirit. But you can fight back and win."

Hamilton was always "100 percent confident" he could beat cancer. With a great attitude, aggressive chemotherapy and surgery, Hamilton was back on the ice within months of his diagnosis.

He undergoes a check-up every six months that includes CT scans. "In another year my doctor expects to kick me out the door completely," Hamilton said. "Just by being in this competitive life, I think helped me."

Last year his "dumb ankle" finally gave out, and he underwent surgery.

"This year I am skating as well as any time in my life," Hamilton said. "The last three years have been painful, hard, frustrating and at times defeating. Some [show] nights are just beyond any expectations. I can't comprehend I have been this active, this long. I proved I could come back from cancer and that I could do another tour on a freshly rebuilt ankle. I overcame a lot of pressure and negativity.