Figure Skating Can Work on Very Smooth Ice, Too

After reading “On the Chin” (Jan. 25), I had to come to the rescue of my favorite sport and dispel the notion that the Chins’ experience represents the norm. I guess I should first say that I am Linda Fratianne’s mother. As you may remember, Linda was four times national champion, twice world champion and 1980 Olympic silver medalist.

I have been involved in skating for almost 20 years, and in all of my experience, I enjoyed it all and regret nothing. I’m sure that my positive feelings stem from Linda’s enthusiasm for, and dedication to, her sport. In skating, she found her gift and her talent, and she loved it. The day-to-day training was hard work and demanded a lot of a young girl. However, the competitions, the successes the entire decade, was a dream come true.

I believe that Tiffany Chin’s negative experience in skating was atypical. In and of itself, skating is a wonderful sport. It is the players behind the scenes who can bring it to the good or to the bad. The path to developing a world-class skater, as any other extraordinary path you venture upon, demands a parent’s sensitivity to the entire program and the child’s needs. Most of all, the parent should be able to distinguish between the parent’s vision and the child’s own dream. Finally, a parent committed to fairness and respect of others will find it easier for people to share in his or her joys and successes.

VIRGINIA FRATIANNE

Los Angeles