Inspired to Not Hang Up Her Skates

I want to commend your paper and author Alan Abrahamson for writing “Figure Skaters Jump Through Hoops to Pursue an Icy Passion” (Dec. 29). It accurately portrayed the level of commitment necessary to be a skater. The article also articulated the passion that skaters have: “ . . . and that sheet of ice is just sitting there.” I can picture exactly how that skater felt. Ice is so enticing to us. Ice skating is weightlessness. Ice skating allows you to fly .

Also happily surprising was that the article featured the saga of two older skaters! Most of the attention in figure skating (and in most sports) is on the young.

At 27 I am far from being a senior citizen and show promise in my skating, and it is truly disheartening how little encouragement and accolades we adult competitors receive.

It is absolutely achievable to become a great, perhaps even Olympic skater in your 20s or 30s. But unless you started at 5 years old, no one seems to take you seriously. My coaches regularly miss my scheduled lessons. I have to tell them when I want to compete; they don’t keep me apprised of competition dates. And they don’t encourage me to try new jumps and spins or to add more lessons; I have to ask them to teach me.

I live with my best friend and her 5-year-old future Olympian and know these things do not occur with her.

Anyway, Mr. Abrahamson’s article will inspire me through my first competition.

KIMBERLY KIRKBRIDE

Pasadena