A champion on ice
As a young boy, British figure-skating champion Steven Cousins never thought he'd be compete in the Olympics.
from the February 20, 2007 edition
Page 2 of 3
Even though audiences in Britain tended to be smaller than they were in North America, performing in his home country was daunting, he found, because the fans were less friendly toward him.
The reason for this was that he spent most of his time in the US and Canada, where the pool of skaters, competition, and general interest were greater than in Britain. He usually returned home only to compete in the national tournament.
The British fans didn't like that. "It doesn't sit too well with them if you go abroad," Cousins explains.
But even while performing for sometimes-hostile crowds, he didn't let himself be scared. "I knew I had to be unbelievably prepared," he says. The strategy worked: Cousins won first place in the British National Championshipseight times.
The largest audience that ever watched him perform was at the Olympics, where billions of people around the world can tune in on TV. Cousins couldn't see them, but he could sense the excitement. He skated in the Winter Olympics of 1992, 1994, and 1998, where he placed 12th, ninth, and sixth, respectively.
After that, Cousins maintained a busy schedule of competitions and performances around the world, on TV, and even before Queen Elizabeth for her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Seven years ago Cousins was invited to join the Stars on Ice tour. The opportunity is "amazing," he says. He considers his colleagues the "best skaters in the world."
They've included Scott Hamilton (four-time US men's champion and world champion, and first-place winner in the Winter Olympics of 1984); Todd Eldredge (world champion and six-time US national champion); Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman (world bronze medalists and three-time US national pair champions); and Michael Weiss (two-time world bronze medalist and three-time US national men's champion).
Despite their already high level of skills, the group still trains hard to wow their audiences. Cousins's sessions include a half-hour warm-up and 45 minutes to an hour on the ice practicing jumps and choreography. On most days, he spends additional time exercising or playing soccer.
Soccer is a favorite hobby, but Cousins enjoys playing golf and watching movies, too.
He also likes to spend time with friends and family, who, he says, have been "really supportive" of his career.
He firmly believes that the two key ingredients for success in any part of life – but especially in figure skating – are hard work and passion.
A love for skating allowed him to practice, train, and persevere as much as he has. "There is no shortcut to success," he says. "To become a good skater, you have to "work hard, play hard, and enjoy what you do."
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