SkateCast #48: my interview with Randy Gardner (of Tai/Randy)

[manleywoman]

The latest SkateCast interview is with Randy Gardner, 1979 World Champion in Pairs with Tai Babilonia, two time Olympian (1976 and 1980), choreographer, star of Ice Follies and head of Randy G Productions. We talk about his experiences as a student of Mabel Fairbanks and John Nicks, his injury during the Lake Placid Olympics that caused them to withdraw , and who he’d love to do choreography for next. The interview lasts 59 minutes, 21 seconds.

Listen on my site or go to the iTunes Store.

I also have another giveaway with this podcast: you can win a DVD/Booklet for Moves in the Field from the PSA (Professional Skaters Association).
One lucky winner can win both the DVD (5th Edition) and the booklet (Edition 5.1) explaining the current Moves in the Field, worth $55. These are invaluable to coaches and students who are looking for guidance from the top coaches and judges in skating on how to properly execute the MIF. They cover Pre-Preliminary to Senior plus Adult Moves. Contest info here.

Hope you all enjoy the interview, and have a great weekend!

[aftershocks]

Thank you so much, manleywoman! I love Randy Gardner, and I can't wait to listen to the podcast. I recall your wonderful podcast with Tai Babilonia, which was so revealing, and should be required listening for pairs teams.

Enjoy your weekend too!

ETA: Episode #48 doesn't appear to be up in I-Tunes yet.

[Lurking Skater]

It's up in iTunes now! This is one person I was looking forward to especially. It was nice to hear Randy's perspective on things, since I have heard Tai's several times.

[manleywoman]

Sometimes it takes a while for the iTunes feed to pick up. Glad it's uP now!!

I just love the porn story.

[aftershocks]

Yes, thanks, manleywoman. I listened to the podcast on your site instead. And then later caught up with a few of the podcasts I've missed.

Wow, re that "porn star" related story. I'd never heard that. Dare we guess who the journalist was? I love how Randy said, "I know who the journalist was ... I just didn't know who 'Holmes' was until years later." Thankfully!

Randy is a very kind person. I met him in person once, and he was so gracious. It's so wonderful to meet someone you've enjoyed watching for many years (practically seeing them grow up -- in this case, kind of growing up while they did and learning more and more about figure skating through watching them and listening to Dick Button's commentary!) And then meeting the skater you watched and supported for so long, and finding out what a truly special person he is inside as well. It was a joy hearing Randy's voice and listening to all of his remembrances. Thanks to you and Randy, manleywoman! BTW, I remember that instructional tape that Randy and Tai did together. I bought a copy, and should still have it somewhere. It was great, and as I recall, after watching it years ago, I decided to take some figure skating lessons.

I get the feeling from listening to Randy's reflections on his career and partnership with Tai, that he is much more laid back, and Tai is a bit more intense. So great how their personalities meshed and they stayed together and developed such a unique bond. Great hearing the important impact of John Nicks' coaching on their development and iconic symmetry -- I learned something new!

The Rodnina story and her straightforward quip was quite funny to hear about. And those stories about Mabel Fairbanks, and her many skateboots, and the parties she loved to give for her students and their parents. That was fantastic stuff.