Just announced the details of a contest to win an official Anna and Evan bracelet. Check out my Twitter page (http://www.twitter.com/evanlysacek) for the info.
Go and start Tweeting! Tomorrow, and you may win a bracelet!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
April 18, 2010
Ok, so finally instead of Evan posts from his own blog, this is what is upcoming for Dancing with the Stars! So far, Evan is doing a Rumba, and its noted that 'more skin will be showing...' Ooh, does this mean some more of Evan we get to see? Lets find out! And, there is a Team Evanna contest, so all you Tweeters out there,
August 3, 2008
August 3, 2008
Before busy season, a charity show in the works
I know that it has been a while since I have written in my journal but since the last time I wrote, I have been keeping busy. I have tried to keep my site up to date with all of the latest news even though I might not have been writing often.
One of the things that I am working on now is "An Evening of Hope," a benefit show that I am organizing in memory of my friend Stephanie Joseph. Stephanie passed away earlier this year after a long battle with soft tissue sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that she was diagnosed with at 8 years old. She was just three months from receiving her journalism degree when she passed away.
When I was younger, Stephanie and I trained together at the All Seasons Ice Rink in our hometown of Naperville. We both also went to Neuqua Valley High School before going our separate ways. She went to the the University of Missouri for college while I headed to Los Angeles to work with Frank but we of course stayed friends.
The show is Sept. 27 at the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Ill. I am very fortunate that my friends and Olympic silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, World Champion Kimmie Meissner, U.S. Pairs Champions Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski, U.S. Pairs Champions Rena Inoue and John Baldwin, World Champion ice dancer Shae-Lynn Borne, Canadian National Champion Jennifer Robinson, U.S. Bronze Medalist Ryan Bradley and others are joining me in raising money for the Stephanie Joseph Foundation in collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Illinois Chapter.
I am hoping that the money raised by "An Evening of Hope" will help the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant the wishes of five children in the Chicagoland area. After Stephanie was diagnosed with cancer, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted her wish of skating with four-time World Champion Kurt Browning. It definitely was such a cool experience for her and with your help, I really want to help other kids to have their wishes granted.
For ticket information or to make a donation, visit www.stephaniejoseph.com. Each ticket comes with admission to the autograph signing after the show. I would love to thank each of you personally for coming out to support the Stephanie Joseph Foundation.
Let me tell you a little bit about what else I have been up to.
I was happy with how I performed on the Grand Prix last season but I really hope to improve my performances this coming season. After a good outing on the Grand Prix circuit, I came away from the U.S. Championships with my second national title. It's a little nerve-wracking to try to defend a title so I am definitely satisfied with how I skated in that tough situation.
The support that I received in St. Paul absolutely helped me through the event. Thank you to the girls with the Evan signs, especially above the kiss and cry and in the skyboxes. And thank you also to everyone who wore the cool Evan shirts.
It was rough outing for me at Four Continents, falling on my quad, but I felt confident having that experience going into the World Championships. Training was going well heading into Worlds. However, I just could not get used to my new blades. It was really frustrating to have equipment problems but it's something that every skater goes through from time to time so I was just trying to make it work.
Right before leaving for Sweden, my blade snapped while I was doing a jump. I knew something wasn't right as soon as I hit the ice so I headed over to the emergency room to get checked out. The doctors found that I had a sprained rotator cuff and sprained ligaments in my left forearm, elbow and shoulder – not good. It was one of the worst things that could have happened but thankfully, I didn't break anything. I always hate having to be off the ice though.
I knew that I could not perform to the best of my ability at Worlds with those injuries so I made the difficult decision to withdraw. Honestly, I was disappointed because I felt that before the injury, my skating was almost where it needed to be. I think that I could have done well at the competition but things happen— and at least I was able to end my season on a high note at the Japan Open.
The summer has been another hectic one for me. Besides performing in a ton of shows in Japan, which has some awesome skating fans, I also had the chance to work with Tatiana Tarasova in Russia. I really like the fresh and new perspective that she brought to my skating. I think my new programs, to "Bolero" for the short and "Rhapsody in Blue" for the long, are awesome.
I'm getting ready for the new season right now but I'm looking forward to golfing in Sun Valley, Idaho, at the end of the month. Then I am really getting down to business with Frank so I can rock this upcoming season. I hope that you will all be along for the ride to the Worlds in my adoptive hometown of Los Angeles.
Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes this year. I am just now getting to all of my mail and my e-mail but some of the things that I have already gotten to are so awesome. Although I really appreciate everything, a special thanks goes to my friends at the Evan Lysacek Fan Forum for the care package they put together for me. It was so cool to come home to a giant box of messages and presents from people Canada, China, Czech Republic, Japan, Mexico and across the United States.
I am so fortunate to have such caring fans. Like I said, it takes me a while to get back to all of the e-mails but I am doing my best to respond to everything that comes my way because every letter really does mean a lot to me. It's nice to know that I have people behind me. Thanks for all the continued support.
I'm sorry that it has taken me such a long time to write since the last time. I think this is probably the longest journal entry ever written so thanks for reading. Now go out and enjoy the last days of summer.
October 21, 2008; October 2, 2008; September 28, 2008
October 21, 2008
Are you ready for some skating?I was sitting on a patio when I realized that fall is here. That means it's time for Angelenos to pull out their coats and scarves to brave the brisk L.A. evenings, but it also signals the start of the skating season.
Fall has special relevance this year because Los Angeles is set to host the World Championships in March at Staples Center. And, with just 16 months until the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, the excitement in the sport is building.
The 2009 season will kick off this weekend in Everett, Wash., with Skate America, the first of a six-event Grand Prix series. Skate America is always the most watched event of the Grand Prix series because everyone is debuting their new routines.
I always try to stay busy before a big competition, as it keeps me from "over-thinking" my skating. One of the side projects I've been working on is scoping out a new designer to create an outfit for me to wear at the Olympics. Lucky for me, it's Fashion Week here, and I got a backstage look at what top designers have to offer.
I was really impressed with the Lauren Conrad collection. Her designs have an ease about them that easily could transfer to skating. Some designers that I've worn in the past include Gianfranco Ferre, Heatherette, Hedi Slimane, Issey Miyake and Alexander McQueen. I've appreciated each of their styles and learned a little bit about fashion from all of them.
On Sunday night, I cheered on the Lakers (my training mates). Their win over Toronto was great motivation for me to start off this week with a really positive attitude. Training went really well on Monday as last-minute preparations and adjustments were made to my routine and my technique. On to my friend Hannah Knowlton at John Frieda Salon for a haircut.
I feel like a million bucks, ready to take on the world's best this weekend. I will travel to Everett on Wednesday. Thursday will be spent practicing and getting used to the ice rink size and condition.
Friday night is the short program, a two-minute, 45-second sprint to incorporate eight required elements, set to the music of our choice. Saturday is the free skate, a grueling four-minute, 45-second routine that incorporates eight jump elements, three combination jumps, three spins and two footwork step sequences.
What to watch for: the quad jump. This risky four-rotation jump is usually a make-or-break in the men's event.
Written for the Los Angeles Times' The Fabulous Forum blog.
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Inspired by McDonalds House kids
Yesterday, the cast of our McDonald's Family Tribute on Ice was lucky enough to spend some time at the new Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles. We decorated cookies, participated in arts-and-crafts projects with the residents, and took a thorough tour of the property.
However, our favorite part of the visit was getting to know the kids and their families who spend anywhere from a day to a year at the Ronald McDonald House.
The facility itself is state-of-the-art, fully equipped with a screening room, game room, computer center, kitchen, cafes, parents' room, library and a beautiful aquarium. McDonald's has thought of everything to make their important guests feel at home.
The house provides a safe and comforting environment for the families to let loose, bond and forget about medical treatments for a little while.
We were able to see the kids' real personalities (kids ranged from toddlers to age 18) since they feel so at home at the House. We were so impressed with their perspective and positive attitude that we, as Olympic athletes, were inspired by their courage.
Evan Lysacek The kids really opened up and welcomes us into their in-House "family." We even got to witness some of their hidden talents: Eminarri Barber, one of the House's residents, treated us to a freestyle rap and invited us all to join in.
It was really cool to experience the vibrant personalities that live within the Ronald McDonald House (it's not just sick kids). It was a true honor to be a part of the Ronald McDonald House family, and we look forward to seeing them at the show on Friday.
Written for the Los Angeles Times' The Fabulous Forum blog.
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'An Evening of Hope' among career highlights
I'm still on such a high from yesterday's "An Evening of Hope" show.
I just wanted to quickly say thank you to everyone who helped make the event such a tremendous success. The show turned out to be more successful than I ever could have imagined when I first started putting it together. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the kind people who took part.
I have had a lot of special moments throughout my skating career but this show is truly one of the highlights. Knowing that some awesome wishes will be granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation because of the money the show raised in my friend Stephanie Joseph's name is an indescribable feeling.
Stephanie had such a contagious personality. Even when we were no longer skating together, and life had taken us different places, she was always there for me. I feel like I am a better person because of her. And I think everyone who had a part in the show can say the same thing even if they never met her.
The show could not have been possible without the generous donations of the sponsors: J. M. Smuckers Co., Pheasant Run Resort, Fox Valley Ice Arena, Paul Mitchell, Coca-Cola, The Skate School, Tiffany & Co., DuPage Figure Skating Club, Disson Skating, Total Gym, Skokie Park District, Fusion Marketing Power, Eli's Cheesecake, Standard Register, IMG, Heineken, BP, NorthStar Credit Union and Bob Anderson of "The Pioneer Fund of Denver".
Thank you again (I really can never say that enough) to everyone who came out to "An Evening of Hope" and everyone who supported the show from home, making a donation or just spreading the word. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to share a little bit about Stephanie with all of you.
It was fun to meet everyone after the show too. I still have a bunch of events on my plate this season so hopefully "An Evening of Hope" is not the last time that I will run into you guys.
Now that the show is over, and I have had a little bit of fun at home in Chicago, I am heading back to Los Angeles to get in some more training before Skate America and Skate Canada. I will also be performing at McDonald's® Family Tribute On Ice on Saturday in L.A.
Enjoy the rest of the off-season.
I am excited to show you what I have been up to.
March 6, 2009, and December 23, 2008
March 6, 2009
Yoga a new part of the regime with Worlds looming
With the World Championships, the premier event of the skating season, right around the corner, all of the world's elite skaters are in their last couple weeks of preparation.
For me, this year holds heightened importance as it is the year before the 2010 Olympic season. All eyes will be on this 2009 Championships, looking for the faces and favorites of the Vancouver Olympics.
The more personal reason that this Championship is so exciting for me is because it is in Los Angeles, my hometown. I always love performing at Staples Center, and the opportunity to have my friends and family cheering me on will make it an unforgettable experience.
After competing at the Four Continents Championship in February, and a couple weeks of touring with Smuckers Stars on Ice, I decided to find the quietest place I could to prepare for the Worlds: Richmond Hill, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. I have spent this week training and fine tuning with Lori Nichol. It has been an extremely productive week of training, and adding some yoga to my training day has helped me stay centered.
I've been through so much diversity in my skating career, and I've always found that staying calm is the best way to stay confident. I still have two weeks to drill my technique, but as I return to my home training base, Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, I have a strong sense of mental preparedness.
I am going to spend the next couple weeks slipping back into my L.A. groove. Morning bike rides to Joan's on Third for breakfast, training all day, Yoga at sunset, and relaxing dinner with friends. I love Los Angeles!
Written for the Los Angeles Times' The Fabulous Forum blog.
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Spectacular blends Beijing stars, Vancouver hopefuls
As we get closer to the start of the 2009 skating season, all sights are set on the biggest skating event of the skating year, the U.S. championships.
It is an especially pertinent event, as we are just about one year away from the Olympic flame being passed to Vancouver for the XXI Winter Games. The competition in Cleveland will set the United States' 2009 World Team. And the 2009 World Championships to be held in Los Angeles will determine the number of entries each country will get for the Vancouver Games.
And, for me, as a proud Angeleno, the 2009 World Championships is particularly relevant because it will be held at my favorite building in the world, Staples Center.
In preparation for these events, I've intensified my training considerably. I have added an hour to my daily regimen and started more dance training to enhance my on-ice presentation. Coming into this event as the two-time and defending champion, I know what it will take to battle the eager challengers. I am pushing myself to my physical limit to gain strength and confidence.
Before leaving for Rapid City, I was running through my program at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo for about seven hours a day. I'm practicing my routine with and without a quadruple jump, and will make the call during the competition on whether or not to incorporate the jump.
As intense as my training has been, I find it's important to break up the daily grind. I found time for a very fun and special charity event for The Make a Difference Network hosted by Jessica Biel. I also participated in the Live Positively Holiday Parade presented by Coca-Cola held in downtown Los Angeles. I got to ride in a car with up-and-coming vocalist Paula DeAnda. I'm also very excited to be performing in the Progressive Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular. The show features amazing Olympic star power along with live music performed by Raven Symone.
The show combines Olympic figure skaters Joannie Rochette, Todd Eldredge, Tanith Belbin and myself with Beijing Olympics stars Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin. And a live musical act makes this one of the most unique shows of the year. We have all become good friends and are eager for audiences to see our collaboration on this project.
We cheered on the gymnasts in Beijing as they walked away with several gold, silver, and bronze medals. They are talking about coming to Cleveland to cheer us on at the U.S. Championships, and to Los Angeles to support us at the World Championships. The gymnasts have brought to our attention how cold our training conditions are, and suggested that we try switching sports so we can train in shorts, or at least only one layer!
Written for the Los Angeles Times' The Fabulous Forum blog.
June 19, 2009
June 19, 2009
After World gold, it's a whirlwind of opportunity
I still have to pinch myself sometimes… Like right now, as I sit in the back of a beautiful black Mercedes-Benz sedan en route from JFK to New York City to shoot with a huge fashion label. I will be part of their upcoming campaign alongside seven other Winter Olympic athletes.
I have been really fortunate to do some awesome things in the past few months — mostly things that I could have never even dreamed of before. Let me tell you about what I've been up to.
Since winning the World Championship, my life has been going at a speed like never before. After a hectic media tour in LA, I went right on the road with Smuckers Stars on Ice, and got to celebrate my win every night on the ice with my "skating family" and all my fans – who I also consider part of my "skating family."
I then went on to Tokyo, where I was the proud captain of the first ever USA Figure Skating Team. Together, as a true Team USA, with the men, ladies, a dance and pair team competing all together, we won the inaugural World Team Trophy. It was such an inspirational way for us to end this season, and kick start the Olympic season.
Next, I was on my way to Mount Hood, Ore., to shoot the first print ads, web promos, and special product displays for Coca-Cola, as part of the "6 Pack" of Winter Olympic athletes. Being with my friends Apolo, Gretchen, Angela, Rock and Kiks made the shoot feel more like a party than work. It was really a lot of fun to be in that atmosphere.
From there, I flew to Chicago to work with 100 talented, young skaters at a skating seminar in Rockford. It was a blast. I always love interacting with young skaters — they are so enthusiastic and determined — but having them from my home region made it even more special for me. Because Chicago is where I got my start in skating, I feel like I could really relate to the kids and they could really relate to me. It was great. I did my best to teach them some things I think are important for young skaters to know. Hopefully they learned something.
Next on the agenda was the U.S. Olympic Committee/NBC Olympics Media Day at Smashbox Studios in LA. It was a full 12 hours of interviews, headshots, publicity stills and promos for 2010 Olympic hopefuls. I was having so much fun just thinking about possibly being on the Vancouver team and talking about the Olympics, both 2006 and 2010, that time really flew by. It's also times like the media day that you realize how close Vancouver is. It got me really pumped.
The next day, I was fortunate enough to be chosen by NBC to participate in one of their commercials for Vancouver. I got to skate on the most beautiful set while Sarah McLachlan played a song she had written just for the Games. It gave me chills to hear her beautiful song echo in the spot lit arena, in harmony with the sound of my blade on the ice. It was one of the coolest days of my life! I can't wait to see the finished product on T.V.
After that, I had to get a walking cast on my left foot to start the healing process from the injury I had before the World Championships. But don't worry, I wasn't just sitting around waiting for the cast to come off..
I got to do some amazing photo shoots off the ice, my favorite being one for DNA Models with celebrity photographer Tony Duran. He's taken amazing pictures of Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and a lot of others so I was definitely honored to work with him. He's so passionate about his work.
I was also so honored to be an attendee of my good friend Kristi Yamaguchi's charity event in San Francisco. It was an awesome event, benefiting her Always Dream Foundation, with performances from "Dancing with the Stars" cast members. I'm always amazed by how great some of the celebrities are at dancing.
I then went back to LA for a couple days to celebrate my birthday with some of my best friends, at my favorite place in the world, Chateau Marmont. I love being on the go but it was nice to be able to just relax for a little bit.
That reminds me: A big thank you to everyone who took the time to wish me a happy birthday. Not only did I get hundreds of e-mails through my site but when I signed on to my Facebook, I had a ton of messages there too. Reading everything really reminded me of how much I appreciate having such an amazing group of fans. Thank you! I promise that I am going to get back to everyone when I have the chance.
Next I was off to Chicago for some checkups on my foot and another MRI. While I was there I surprised my lifelong skating club, DuPage FSC, at their annual awards brunch to say “thank you” for all the support and backing they've given me. It was so nice to share my World gold medal with a lot of the people that helped me get there. I'm so grateful for everything that DuPage has done for me.
Next, I flew to Nevada for some business meetings. The best part was that I got to spend some time with my mom. Though it was a busy trip, we still had some amazing meals and a little time in the sun. I love hanging out with her.
From there, I flew to Champs Camp in Colorado Springs. It was packed with informational meetings about the upcoming season and a lot of Olympic logistics. I also did some of the fun things like interviews too. I missed the first day and half of camp so the day I was there was extremely full.
Even though it was really busy, it was still fun to see everyone on the skating team again. We really don't get to spend that much time together so Champs Camp is a good place to catch up and hang out. I really think that Team USA is going to have a great team for Vancouver and Sochi.
From there, I went back to LA and got my walking cast off just in time for the start of summer training camp. Of course I was rusty after several weeks off, but I got to skate for two days. I don't remember ever being so excited to be on the ice. My left foot is just about the only part of my body that isn't sore. I had the whole flight from LA to NY to rest and hydrate though so I'm feeling better already.
That brings us pretty much up to date.
Coming up, I have an exciting meeting with Vera Wang to discuss my costumes for the Olympic year. Vera has been a great friend and mentor to me, and I'm so excited to have her as part of my creative team. I'm also heading to Toronto to work with my longtime choreographer Lori Nichol on my new programs for the Olympic season season.
In July and August, I have some exciting shows in Japan and Korea. I always love performing in Seoul, Nagoya, Tokyo, and Shin-Yokohama because the fans are so amazing. I really feel like a rock star when I'm in Asia. I'll be doing a few U.S. shows then it's time for competition again.
Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support throughout the years. I truly appreciate everything. And I really hope the coming months are happy, heathly and successful time for everyone.
I'm really looking forward to this busy year ahead with the Olympics getting closer everyday.
January 14, 2010
Since I made this a little bit late, here are more of Evan's blogs, on his site, but just wanted to share them over here. :)
January 14, 2010
Ready for the competition in Spokane
Hi everyone.
I meant to check in earlier to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year but as you can imagine, things have been busy for me. Hope that everyone had a good holiday and 2010 is treating you well. Thank you all, especially the ELFFs, for all of the cards and packages. It's was nice of you to remember me.
I am writing to you from my hotel Spokane, Wash., where I am competing this weekend at the 2010 AT&T U.S. Championships, which will help decide the U.S. Olympic Team. I just wrapped up my second official practice at Spokane Arena, which went really well like the first one Wednesday, and the short program draw. I'm skating in a good position tomorrow, last in the third of four warm ups.
I have made a few changes to my programs since winning the Grand Prix Final in December. Although I have performed well without the quad, I decided to put it back in to the free skate because if I make the Olympic team, I know I'll need the quad in Vancouver. I'm pretty confident with the changes but if they don't work out the way that Frank, Lori and I wanted, I'd rather find out in Spokane than later on.
So far, Spokane has been just as amazing as it was when nationals was here in 2007. The city has really rolled out the red carpet again for nationals. Everyone is so friendly. Everywhere I go, people are wishing me "good luck" and asking about my skating. It's really nice to be someplace where people are so interested in our sport.
I can't wait to meet everyone that has come out to support me in Spokane. If you're going to the pairs short program at the Spokane Arena on Saturday morning, stop by the AT&T booth before it starts. I'll be doing an autograph signing from 10-11 a.m.
If you weren't able to make it out to Spokane, I hope that you'll watch on NBC and Universal Sports. (A nationals TV schedule is posted on the front page of my Web site.) I promise, you're not going to want to miss this one. There are so many talented men here, anything can happen.
I probably won't have a chance to write another blog while I am here but I'll be using my Facebook pageto keep all of you updated with what's going on here. Hopefully I'll have some good news to share in the next few days. Stay tuned.
Thank you for all of your support this season. It's been so hectic for me but your encouragement has definitely made everything a lot easier. All of the letters and e-mails are great. I don't always have the time to write back but I just want you to know, I really appreciate you reaching out to me. I am so thankful for everything that you guys do for me.
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