Skating stars create artistry on ice

You haven't seen figure skating until you've seen it live, one of the legends in the sport implies.

As exciting as it may be on television, it's always more so in person, promises Katarina Witt, the only living two-time Olympic champion singles figure skater.

"People always tell us there is so much more to it when you see it live. The jumps also are bigger," says Witt, who also is a four-time world champion and six-time European champion. "It's such an entertaining sport. They come into a little fantasy land. They see great lighting and hear great music. They see the skaters live they have seen on TV."

Witt plans to offer another lesson in the magic of live with her return to the "Smucker's Stars On Ice" tour of skaters, which will make its annual Pittsburgh stop Friday in Mellon Arena.

The tour will feature the debuts of 2002 Olympic pair champions Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada and Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze of Russia, all four of whom emerged with gold medals from an unprecedented Olympic controversy that made world headlines.

Also making his tour debut will be Alexei Yagudin, 2002 Olympic men's champion, who received the highest marks received by a single skater in Olympic history.

A few months later, he captured his fourth world championship, again making history in receiving six out of six perfect scores for his competitive short program.

Another debut will feature Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman, three-time U.S. national pair champions and world bronze medalists.

Among skaters back with the tour, in addition to Witt, are:

Todd Eldredge, world champion and six-time U.S. national champion. He made his Stars debut after the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Kurt Browning, four-time world champion.

Jenni Meno and Todd Sand, three-time U.S. national pair champions.

Rene Roco and Gorsha Sur, two-time U.S. national dance champions.

"It's a very strong cast, a very energetic cast" Witt says.

"This year's show is back more to pure skating. It's been very theatrical the last few years. Because of all the new members, it's very energetic and powerful. There are a lot of tricks by the pairs and incredible jumps. It's a fun show."

Witt says that after all these years, it remains fun for her, too.

"I love being in front of a live audience and getting their reaction. Skating has been my passion for so many years. I'm grateful I'm still able to do it and enjoy it," she says.

A tour such as "Stars On Ice" is presented in such a good way, she says, including lighting, costumes and staging, that it adds to the appeal for performers and audience.

"And this year, skating with Jamie and David and the others, and all the new people coming in, it's bringing so much energy." She feels it, she says, and she also hopes the youngsters gain from the experience of the veterans. "It's a great combination," she says.

Witt says that Sale and Pelletier have been receiving an "amazing" response. "They are doing a wonderful job in how they skate and how they are involved in the show and getting along with everybody. They are fun to be around."

Does she offer advice from someone who has "been there, done that"?

"No, no, no," Witt replies, laughing. "You have to be careful with something like this. Everyone makes their own experience and goes through their own career. You don't try to be in each other's face."

She forecasts a bright career for Sale and Pelletier. "They do really love what they are doing, and they are definitely crowd pleasers. If they want, they can go as long as they want."

Witt suggests that she may have a singular role in this year's production.

"Since I'm the only single (skater), maybe my role is to bring some softness to it," she says. "I do a really beautiful solo to a Streisand song ('What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?'), and having a solo with two guys (Zimmerman and Sur). It's a more sexy blues. And I'm involved in the open and closing."

Many times, she says, she chooses her music according to her mood. "Sometimes, it's a personal feeling at the moment. A lot of time, it's sort of a reflection, and I always try to find something different from the year before." This year, she says she thought people would want to smile. "I'm constantly trying to do something different which goes with the show."

The off-ice production team is headed by producer/director/choreographer Sandra Bezic. Music ranges from Elvis to Ozzy Osbourne, Leonard Cohen to Bon Jovi and Tony Bennett to Will Smith.

The focus on the new edition of the ice show is more on pairs, Witt says. "Last year, the women shared more. We sort of let others go ahead this year."

It is the combination of athleticism and artistry that remain at the heart of figure skating's appeal, she believes. "People know how difficult it is and, sometimes, they sit on the edge of their seats and hope a skater doesn't fall. At the same time, it's so beautiful."

"Beautiful" long has been the description of Witt's artistry on ice.

"I hope I've been able to bring in a broader audience to skating, more people who may not have been that interested. I hope I was able to draw them in and they stayed with it, because they fell in love with the sport," she says.

Witt says that with her, "What you see is what you get."

"In the past, my competitive side and staying cool and being really competitive, and having enough discipline to go for my goals has been my strength," she says. "I seem to have kept that up."

If there is something that young skaters can learn from her career, Witt says it may be this: