New Muscles and Pounds Boost an American Ice Dancer’s Outlook

An interesting article about weight and figure skating featuring U.S. ice dancer Tanith Belbin. 

"As it turned out, Linichuk also ended up saving Belbin from a problem that has long plagued figure skaters: disordered eating. Often not as severe as eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, disordered eating involves irregular eating habits that can be fueled by a distorted body image. Belbin said she had struggled with those issues since puberty.


"When she was 16 or 17, Belbin grew several inches and gained weight, which threw off her skating technique. As her body matured, she tried to fight it. As an ice dancer who wears tiny outfits and is often lifted by her partner, Belbin said that every extra pound seemed like 20."

Jenny Kirk on Figure Skating's Eating Disorder Epidemic (Part I & II)

Both parts of National Chamption figure skater Jenny Kirk's interview with the Huffington Post are now online!  Click the title above to view the interview.

"The National Championship for Ladies Figure Skating kicks off Thursday night, and by Saturday judges will have selected the U.S. Olympic team for 2010.


"Yet beyond the bright lights of the competition, judges, coaches, competitors, and commentators are hiding a dirty secret few dare discuss or acknowledge.

"In this exclusive two-part interview, figure skater Jenny Kirk offers a rare, brave and compassionate insider perspective on an eating disorder crisis threatening the future of the sport."