Elite skaters and holiday season

[skateboy]

Apologies if this has come up before and I just happened to miss it...

But I was just thinking about how (or if) skaters celebrate during the holiday season. Thanksgiving (in the US), Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's (etc.) all happen smack dab in the middle of the competitive season and often right about when various Nationals are happening.

I'm wondering if skaters train on these days, as I would almost think they have to (on and/or off ice). And, let's face it, most holidays involve food, and in higher amounts and calories than most of of would normally eat. Do skaters stick to their "training" diets on these holidays? I would imagine it varies from person to person, but I'm curious to know if any skaters have mentioned it.

When I competed as a (roller) skater back in the day (I made it to the Senior level), I stuck to my dietary and training regimen during peak season no matter what... but our regionals/nationals were in the summer, not during winter holiday season.

 

[farahfan]

I follow alot of skaters on Instagram and it seems they take a day off and are back to training. Not everyone can go home for a traditional celebration. Several have posted training pics the day after Christmas. So I'd think that the only "break" they have is not having competitions on the calender but everything else is the same. However I've never been a competitive skater so don't know more than that...

 

[The Accordion]

I remember reading an interview with Jeff Buttle when he retired - saying he had not stayed up past 9 PM on New Years when he was training.

 

[Aceon6]

I know of two elite skaters who are really working through the holidays, doing their own training and assisting at youth camps.