Like many young girls, I also had dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete. A figure skater, one of the most coveted sports in the winter games. I always want to stand on the podium and hear the thunderous roar of the crowd clapping and cheering for my accomplishment. Alas, the sport is highly competitive, and I did not have the drive of a true Olympic athlete. But when Smucker’s Uncrustables invited me on a trip to Lake Placid to visit the Olympic Training Center, I {literally} jumped at the chance.
Boarding a small puddle jumper from Logan Airport, the adventure began. If you’re wondering who the gal is sitting next to the pilot, that’s Nicole from Good Golly Miss Blondie. She was a great co-pilot, and a great partner on this Olympic adventure.
Our first night in Lake Placid we were treated to an experience of a lifetime. Figure Skating with a Gold Medalist. And, not just any Gold Medalist. But Kristi Yamaguchi. It’s okay to scream a little, I did. On the inside.
She was gracious and patient. Funny and kind. Friendly and encouraging. Kristi is a true girls girl. She poked fun at our rental skates, while encouraging everyone to #HaveFunWithIt.
Our skating lesson was on the ice where the TeamUSA won Gold in Hockey at the 1980 Olympics. THE ICE! I still cannot get over that. The Miracle on Ice happened right where I was standing.
You can learn more about the commitment that J.M. Smucker’s has made to support our amazing Olympic athletes by watching this short video:
Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing more about our amazing Olympic experience – think bobsledding and ski jumping! Tune into your local NBC affiliate tonight, February 6 for an early start to what promises to be an amazing Winter Olympic Games and don’t miss the opening ceremonies on Friday, February 7! GO TeamUSA!
How cool! I met Kristi at a Motorola event last year… such a sweet woman!
She was so friendly! It was great to skate with her – one of my childhood dreams coming true.
What an awesome experience! I cannot wait for it all to start today!
The opening ceremonies should be beautiful – they always are! I love the Olympics!
WOW! That’s awesome that you got to meet Kristi Yamaguchi! I wanted to be a figure skater too when I was younger. I always looked forward to watching it on TV. Sadly to this day I still don’t know how to skate though… lol What a chance of a lifetime! Very exciting 🙂
I seriously wanted to jump out of my skin! It was so exciting. I still cannot believe it really happened!
Wow, how awesome and such a great opportunity! We love Kristi Yamaguchi, she is a phenomenal skater! I’m sure this will go down in your books as one of your “Priceless Memories”!
It certainly is one of my “Priceless Memories”! She is an amazing person – and her skating is so beautiful to watch!
That is so cool, what an amazing experience!! I was always fascinated with figure skaters and loved watching Kristi Yamaguchi skate!
She is so graceful on the ice – and off. It was a true dream come true!
That is so awesome! I am pretty sure I would have jumped up and down and screamed in excitement for that email.
My Husband is so jealous you got to skate in the hockey arena.
I have to tell you, the hockey arena was amazing. To skate where it all happened was truly magical – I went in the locker rooms too!
this is so neat, I bet you were screaming with excitement. Can’t wait to read all the other stuff you got to do. So cool!
Eliza – inside I was screaming! Such an awesome experience, I savored every second of it.
What an amazing experience that must have been. When I was younger, I used to follow figure skating religiously, but life happened and I lost track. I have really enjoyed watching some of the skaters this year in the Olympics.
It was awesome! I still can’t believe that it happened to me!! EEEK!
Well how much fun and exciting that had to have been. I would love to get to meet Kristi Yamaguchi one day. Lucky You!!
Oh wow! What a cool experience! I used to figure skate as a kid so I would love something like this.
What a cool event to attend! I’ve always wanted to go to Lake Placid, mostly because I really like the name of the town. Looks like you had so much fun!
The town is beautiful! Despite the bone chilling temperatures, there were a lot of activities going on – ice skating on the pond, dog sled rides, a pond hockey tournament, and mountains to ski nearby. I’d recommend it for a fun weekend getaway!
Awesome, I’ll definitely get up there one day. It’s not terribly far from me. A 5-hour drive. Doable for a long weekend trip.
This sounds so fun. And it’s cool too that you got to go along with another blogger! Hurrah for Smuckers! 🙂
I was big on figure skating when I was younger, and Kristi is a huge inspiration for figure skaters everywhere. It’s so awesome that you got to meet her and skate with her!
Wow, what an amazing experience! Kristi Yamaguchi was always my favorite! I am so jealous!
What fun! And how lucky you were to be able to skate with a Olympic champ! I didn’t realize that Smuckers was involved with the Olympics-it is good to know that family friendly brands are finally getting involved!
I would have literately jumped at the chance too! That sounds like so much fun and such an honor!
Wow! How cool you got to meet Kristi! I remember always watching her routines and just admiring her graceful skills.
how cool i’ve never met any sport figures but have met several musicians. that’s way cool
Figure skating is so cool! I am always on edge while watching the figure skating competitions on TV fearing for the safety of the athlete and also the excitement that entails 🙂
Awesome to have to be able to meet a great role model. Looks like the two of you enjoyed each other company.
I am jealous. I would love to meet Kristi, I loved watching her in the Olympics back in the day.
Lucky you! I have always wanted to meet an Olympic skater. I would love to skate with them but they would probably laugh at my ability. It’s not that good. 🙂
She was so gracious. There whereafter less experienced skaters, Kristi was very encouraging with them.
Oh wow what an amazing experience that must have been. They sound like a fantastic role model. x
If this isn’t an exciting experience, I don’t know what is! How fun to go to Lake Placid and even get to meet a star olympic!
It was a once in a lifetime experience!
Ok that is CRAZY exciting!! How surreal was that experience?? How amazing – thanks so much for sharing it!!
I’m still pinching myself!
What an amazing trip that must have been. I love watching the figure skating, sadly it is about the only part that I do watch because it is just so beautiful – I think every little girl wanted to be one at some point.
What the crap! That is the coolest thing, you lucky girl. She’s so talented!
That is so awesome! I love watching the Olympics!
That is so cool! What a great experience. Can’t wait to see more
Your photos are awesome. I had to turn down attending this event due to work obligations but I am so glad that you had such a wonderful experience.
Wow, I would love to make that trip and to ice skate on that rink with Kristi. Sounds like so much fun and good memories in the making.
omg omg omg jumping up and down for your, what a great experience. So exciting. I would be flipping out to be at that arena. Meeting such a wonderful professional athelte has to be amazing. So glad you wre invited on this wonderful adventure
I would be thirlled on the plane too!
This is totally an awesome and lifetime experience that anyone wouldn’t forget – good for you!
WOW, Kristi Yamaguchi… what a privilege to meet her and get lessons from her. That would blow my mind! * so jealous*
Girl, you are so lucky! Ice skating is my favorite of all the sports in the Olympics. How cool to meet such a legend!
OMG!! Now that is what I call an awesome experience. I squealed a little for you. I know this is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
What a great experience! I have never been coordinated enough to be a figure skater but it would be so great to watch them in person!
How lucky you are getting to meet Kristi. I don’t know how to figure skate but I love watching them do it and she was one of the best.
WoW! what an amazing opportunity. I would love to be able to skate like that!
Oh my goodness! I would totally scream if I met Kristi Yamaguchi! I visited Lake Placid as a kid, but we didn’t go in any of the Olympic buildings. It’s a beautiful little town though. (and side note…I love Smuckers Uncrustables…I ate a box at a time while pregnant.)
I was speechless at first! She was so nice though, very down to earth – we really had a blast!
That’s so awesome!!! Looks like you had a blast!
It was indescribable! Wicked awesome! So much fun, it’s really hard to put into words.
Oh wow Emily, what a fantastic experience!! I used to want to be a figure skater when I was little even though I have on been on ice twice . Love watching on the TV.