United States Olympic Committee - Emily Hughes discusses skating, skates on Rockefeller rink

Athletes

Events

Sports

Features

Shopping

Torino 2006


	latest news \| getting started \| bios \| photos \| tips \| q & a

Emily Hughes discusses skating, skates on Rockefeller rink

// January 21, 2006

Visit USA Figure Skating

KATIE COURIC, co-host:

And this morning on our COUNTDOWN TO TORINO, a young skating star in a bit of a delicate spot. The US Olympic Women's Figure Skating Team has been named with 16-year-old Emily Hughes as an alternate. But that means she's watching and waiting to see if she'll be able to live her Olympic dream.

Olympic hopeful Emily Hughes is displaying a special kind of grace off the ice these days. Despite a third-place finish at the US National Figure Skating Championship last weekend, which in most years would mean she's made the Olympic team, Hughes was instead named as an alternate. In her place, nine-time national champion and two-time Olympic medalist, Michelle Kwan. Kwan could not compete in the nationals because of an injury, and Olympic officials thought she deserved a chance to skate in her third Olympics, a decision Hughes says was a good one. Hughes may still get the chance to match her older sister Sarah's Olympic gold if Kwan doesn't prove she's fully recovered from her injury at the end of the month.

And Emily Hughes is here.

Emily, good morning. So nice to see you.

Ms. EMILY HUGHES (2006 Olympic Team Alternate): Good morning.

COURIC: So you must have a lot of mixed feelings about the situation you're in, because you've worked so hard and yet, you're an alternate so it's really unclear if you'll actually be able to compete, right? How are you handling it?

Ms. HUGHES: Well, I--you know, I feel really good. I skated at the nationals really well. I improved my performance from the last time a total of 40 points, so I'm really looking forward to the next competition.

COURIC: Michelle Kwan, of course, was injured, so she couldn't compete in the nationals. But she has been selected to be a member of the team. Some people might feel that that's not really fair. How--how do you feel about it?

Ms. HUGHES: Well, I feel like, you know, I've been working really hard and I'm looking forward to the next competition and you know representing the United States at worlds, and maybe I'll see you in Torino. Who knows?

COURIC: Well you never--you never know. Meanwhile, has Sarah, your older sister, who of course won the gold medal, has she been a huge help and a huge support system for you?

Ms. HUGHES: Oh, she's been great. She told me just to have fun and you know, take memories away. And she jokes that now I have to be nervous and she can sit on the sidelines.

COURIC: And I think you guys are in great shape. You have--you have six kids in the family, is that right?

Ms. HUGHES: Yeah, I'm one of six.

COURIC: And I know that your parents are here, and I always say how nice they are on national television. And there they are. And--and I know that having two skaters in one family is pretty unique. What did you--what did you--they feed you growing up? I mean, how did the two of you...

Ms. HUGHES: Must have been in the water.

COURIC: ...end up being so--so athletic? Amy and John, they did something right, right?

Ms. HUGHES: Yeah, my family's so supportive. And, you know, Sarah's so supportive. Her special's going to be on Sunday on NBC.

COURIC: Right.

Ms. HUGHES: And her special has three out of the four Olympic champions and the men's world champion. And it's just a great show.

COURIC: She had a good time doing it; plus, she's in college, right?

Ms. HUGHES: Oh yeah, she goes to Yale.

COURIC: Yeah, so very impressive family. And you're going to skate for us this morning as well, Emily.

Ms. HUGHES: Yes.

COURIC: Very appropriately to the Simon and Garfunkel called "For Emily, Where--Whenever I May Find Her." I should have known that, because...

Ms. HUGHES: Well actually my parents named me after the song.

COURIC: Oh really?

Ms. HUGHES: They were big fans of Simon and Garfunkel.

COURIC: That's so cute. Anyway, well, Emily Hughes, thanks so much for talking with us.

Ms. HUGHES: Thank you.

COURIC: And I'll take your jacket.

Ms. HUGHES: There you go.

COURIC: Wow, pretty.

Ms. HUGHES: Well, thanks to Sarah for letting me borrow her dress.

COURIC: Well, it looks really nice, so take it away. Thanks, Emily.

(Emily Hughes skates on Rockefeller Plaza skating rink)

COURIC: Emily Hughes. Emily, thank you so much.

And we want to remind you, Sarah and her--"Sarah Hughes and Friends," the name of the special, airs Sunday at 4 PM Eastern time right here, of course, on NBC. I wish I had a bouquet of roses to throw out.

Up next, though, the musician who has her fans going bonkers in Britain. But first, this is TODAY on NBC.

Visit USA Figure Skating



		Let the Games Begin! There's still time to purchase all the items you need to show your team spirit during the Games! Buy Your Scarf Now! Get ready for Torino 2006! Shop Now to Show your Support for Our Nation's Athletes! Torino 2006 Torino Apparel Torino Headwear Torino Pins Torino Gifts and Collectibles Request a Catalog It's never to late to support the team at U.S. Olympic Shop.