Sun Valley Ice Show

Much excitement drove me to Sun Valley, Idaho to see Jumpin' Joe, Hartshorn & Sweiding, and Alexei Yagudin skate on the famed outdoor rink during the 68th-year run of the Sun Valley Ice Show. What I didn't know was that the "Headliner" announced on the Ice Show website only announced the biggest name performing. To my very pleasant surprise, 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist and four-time World and European Champion Alexei Yagudin was joined by 2006 Canadian silver medalists Meagan Wing & Aaron Lowe.

The rest of the line-up did not suffer either. A thoroughly enjoyable evening ensued as the skaters performed on an American Bandstand set under an incredible Southern Idaho sunset. Many patrons enjoyed a rink-side open-air buffet as part of the "Dinner and a Show."

While waiting for the event to begin, I snuck backstage to the practice rink. There I witnessed two amazing sights: Joe and Alexei trading jumps as they warmed up, and Anita Hartshorn with her hair in curlers as she soared through the air during a pairs lift. I had black-mail pictures, and I wasn't afraid to use them. I taunted her with an agreement not to post the pics if she would give me a brief interview.

"What is the secret to longevity in this sport?" I asked her. She replied without hesitation: "Use it or lose it! We go to the gym and skate every day, so we stay in shape." Then she laughed, "I think Joe's secret is in his drinking 'cause he's never gone to the gym." We'll keep that joke our little secret.

By that time, the sunset had deepened to a warm fuscia color lined with silver clouds. I pointed it out to the little muscular guy standing next to me (I didn't recognize him as one of the principal Holiday on Ice acrobats, Koroly "Charlie" Gaspar.) His humongous partner, Oliver Pekar, walked over to him and effortlessly hoisted Charlie into an inverted lift high above my head. They steadied and exchanged a few Russian words before dismounting and heading for the practice rink. I hollered: "You just wanted a closer look at that sunset, didn't you." I was hoping Oliver would offer to give me a better view. Maybe next time.

When the spotlight and colored gels lit up the ice, the moon and the bleachers were nearly full. American Bandstand music welcomed each of the skaters during energetic introductions. The cast included US Open Bronze Medalist Darlin Baker, Lithuanian Champion Aidas Reklys, and several extremely cute little girls from the local figure skating club. These tiny skaters nearly stole the show when they shimmied and spiraled in yellow and rainbow feathered costumes to a Macarena mix of "The Tiki Room."

After numerous Elvi in black wigs skated out "Jail House Rock," World Professions and US Open champs Anita Harshorn and Frank Sweiding performed a lively "Mustang Sally" for their home town crowd.

Jozef Sabovcik (better known as Olympic Bronze Medalist and two-time European Champion Jumpin' Joe) skated to "Forever Young." Later, fans would be treated to a compulsory Springsteen routine, this time to "Mary's Place." During the interlude, he stood for a phrase in the middle of the rink, doing nothing but tapping his blade while looking down at the ice. Without looking up, he pointed sharply at the stands to his right when his idle singer belted: "Waiting for a shout from the crowd!" Joe's fans obliged, as did the bleachers to his left and the downstage audience when he coolly commanded them the same way. The audience was hooked, thrilled to be more than just spectators but rather an important part of the show.

Joe's skill for gripping the crowed by their shirt collars and making them feel as if they're a part of the show is something I wish Alexei Yagudin would have mastered by now. With all of his touring, he still has yet to harness the power of engaging an audience in his performances. We know we are watching something from afar - almost uninvited. I also felt I was watching a rerun. While his champion's presence made it obvious we were in the presence of someone who'd accomplished something truly great, I was left a little disappointed.

I noticed during the practice session that some Johnny Cash music was skipping and, therefore, cut from the program. I don't know if that was his, so it's possible he intended to show us a more dynamic side of his skating. Nevertheless, his techno routine footwork included familiar popular (and cheesy) dance moves, including one repeat where he pretends to drive his car after taking a drag off a joint and tossing it to the crowd. My suspicion of repeat was confirmed as his last solo performance was announced as his Olympic short program. Despite the monotony, it surly was a treat to watch this champion perform moves I can only dream about doing.

Ice Dancing Champs Margartia Drobiazko & Povilas Vanagas took the crowds breath away as they performed to the Pirates of the Caribbean sound track. When their music broke, she headed back to change from a pirate to a maiden. Upon her return, their choreography weakened when she grabbed both their sword blades in her hands during a lift. Until that time, the audience was in awe at the clinking and clashing during their very intricate sword-fighting footwork. The little kid in all of us was breathless with anticipation that one of them might get hurt with their "real" blades. When she palmed both swords, it made it no longer believable that we had, in fact, witnessed a dual on the high seas. I am still in awe of her beauty and their athleticism displayed before their music changed.

Jumpin' Joe carried a torch onto the ice The Doors rang out "God of Fire." He lit a circle on the ice where US Open and World Professional pairs champions Anita Hartshorn and Frank Sweiding appeared in medieval masks. Their performance experience showed through as they thrilled the crowds with flying lifts and fast spins.

After a "Born to Be Wild" cast performance that included insane Mohawk wigs and a skating polar bear, Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe's pleasant personalities showed through during a fun ice dance to "Good Golly Miss Molly."

The "Happy Days" theme song gave way to a Charlie and Oliver tango - a routine skated by Charlie with only one skate on. Earlier in the show, as Jozef lead a sexy group of ladies in their performance to "California Girls," Oliver came out dressed in a straw hat over long braids and an over-alls denim dress. His cue was: "Midwest farmer's daughters". Joe acted (rightfully) scared when Oliver sidled up to him suggestively.

US National Team Member Ashley Clark did a spirited semi-striptease to "Big Spender." Unfortunately, the split in her dress up to her thigh wasn't much cushioning when she fell out of her jumps and onto her hip.

Craig Heath was awesome. This two-time American Open Silver Medalist and World Professional Bronze Medalist tried to match the hat-as-a-prop routines we've been thrilled with be figure skating greats. Lack of novelty was easy to forgive because of Chad's amazing technique. He displayed the highest arched spiral I've seen a man perform. His spins were quick and high jumps secure. He invited the crowd into his performance, and I gladly accepted the invitation.

I wish I'd received a similar invitation to the buffet. The menu included salad and potato stations, turkey breast and prime rib, seafood (Mahi Mahi, oysters, shrimp, crab claws, salmon, trout lox and mussels), grilled duck, antipasti and decadent desserts. Tickets for dinner and a show are $88, while bleacher seats alone start at $24.

For more information on the Sun Valley Ice Show, check out the lineup for the rest of the year in my recent article. If you have to miss this season's shows, mark them in your calendar for next summer. The planning commission is already solidifying an equally amazing lineup for the 2007 season.

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