With both the 2006 U.S. Championships and Olympic Winter Games rapidly approaching, Cohen knows this is her time to shine. After overcoming an injury which left her sidelined for most of the fall 2005 season, Cohen says she’s back, she’s healthy, and she’s hungry for gold.  

Q1: You’re the reigning World silver medalist. Do you feel any additional pressure going into both Nationals and potentially the Olympics?

SASHA COHEN: I don’t feel any additional pressure about that. I feel like I still have something to prove. I want to win, and I’m really focused on my preparation now. I feel like when I get to competition, I can just let it happen and I’ll be ready. So, it’s almost like everyday at home now is where the pressure is to get the most out of myself every practice.

Q2: After winning the silver at World Championships, how hungry are you for another medal at this point in time?

SASHA COHEN: I’d love the gold. I have a lot of goals that I want to accomplish this year and National and Olympic gold would make it an amazing year. I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, and I’m really just kind of taking it one step at a time.

Q3: Michelle (Kwan) has just always sort of been there throughout your career. How are you dealing now with the question of whether she will compete in the Olympics or not?

SASHA COHEN: It’s something that I don’t dwell on. I know that she’s a very strong skater, but there are many more strong skaters at the Olympics. The best way that I can prepare is to just to build up and be my best. That’s always been my goal. Over the past few years or so, I’ve realized that the only thing I can control is my skating and my preparation. If I can skate my best, which I haven’t really done too much in the past, I know I’ll be happy and I’m pretty sure I’ll be happy with the results as well.

Q4: How would you describe yourself as a skater? What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are at this point in your career?

SASHA COHEN: I would say that my strengths are some of the unique things that I do, the fact that I love what I do, and I’m always eager to learn more. Also, the fact that I’m not satisfied with where I am. Weaknesses would have to be a lack of preparation, lack of knowledge, not enough confidence, and afraid of mistakes. I think I’ve always tried to be perfect, and I need to stop trying to be perfect and just worry about skating better.

Q5: With all of your traveling and training, it seems like you are on the road all of the time. How do you stay focused?

SASHA COHEN: It kind of comes from within. You know what you need to do. You know when you need to rest. You have to have your ultimate goal in mind. Just talk to other people and try to make the best decisions that you can.

Q6: What don’t people know about figure skating?

SASHA COHEN: I guess maybe they don’t realize we’re not just skating. We’re doing weights at the gym, we’re running and we’re doing a lot off of the ice. I don’t think they realize how precise and delicate our equipment is. You are not just putting on tennis shoes and running. There are so many specific things that have to go into the blades and the boots, and the sharpening, and the costume. There’s a lot.

Q7: Is it ever surreal to open up a magazine and see yourself?

SASHA COHEN: Yeah, whenever I see myself in a magazine I’m like, “Oh that’s so cool.” It’s a lot of fun to see that something like that and think, “Wow, the whole country is seeing this.”

 Q8: Are there any figure skaters or past Olympians that you admire?

SASHA COHEN: I do…I admire Tara Lipinski a lot. She has an amazing fire and drive. She was one of my role models growing up.

Q9: Did you manage to have any fun over the holidays? What did you do for New Year’s Eve?

SASHA COHEN: I did…I spent a lot of time with family, neighbors and friends. I just went out to dinner with some friends on New Year’s Eve and watched the ball drop on T.V. Then I went to bed. You know, Nationals is coming up and I want to make sure that I have all the rest that I can, so nothing too exciting this year.

Q10: What are your plans after the Olympics? Are you considering fashion or modeling?

SASHA COHEN: A little bit of both. I’d love to do stuff with T.V., and I know acting could be fun. I definitely love to travel. I don’t know. I’ll have to see what opportunities I have.