Community Corner

Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes Meets with Young Skaters

'These girls have a lot of talent and it's great to just spend time with them and watch them become great skaters,' Hughes said.

Some young figure skaters met one of the sport’s legends Wednesday.

Sarah Hughes, a gold medal-winning Olympian, met with skaters at the Ice Vault in Wayne. Hughes skated and talked with the girls from local skating clubs and their parents.

Children from A Free Bird Organization, a non-profit that helps kids affected by cancer through the arts, were also there.

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“These girls have a lot of talent and it’s great to just spend time with them and watch them become great skaters,” said Hughes, 28. She won the gold medal in the singles competition at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The kids were excited to meet Hughes.

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“I just watched some videos of her,” said Valerie Woodside. “She’s great and it was great to meet her.”

Woodside is only 10 and just began skating two years ago, but has won five medals in the four competitions she’s entered.

‘It’s a great sport to be part of,” said Michelle Woodside, Valerie’s mother. “It’s great to see these kids have a goal and preparing for their next event. It can be competitive but the Ice Vault really is a great family rink.”

Hughes also announced the line up for the Tribute to American Legends of the Ice. The show will feature seven Olympic silver medalists, including Brian Boitano, Scott Hamilton, and Nancy Kerrigan. The show will be held at the Izod Center Dec. 11. Hughes will host the special.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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