Starr Andrews, competing in her ninth U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the senior level, is focused on enjoying her performances and leaving a lasting impression. This is her final season as a singles skater as she plans to switch to pairs skating. Throughout the past few months, she has focused on gratitude and appreciating the process, which led to an incredible free skate at Skate America in November.
“For Skate America, it felt amazing to be able to go out there and enjoy it because there are not many times that I go out and really enjoy competing because I’m so stressed about wanting to do well,” she said. “This time, I really did go out there and have fun. It was honestly one of my figure skating highlights.”
Given that this is an Olympic year — the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina begin on Feb. 6 — the U.S. Championships are earlier than usual. The senior women skated their short program on Wednesday night and have the free skate on Friday, Jan. 9. Interviewed days before heading to St. Louis for the championships, Andrews, 24, said her preparations were going well.
“It’s a little bittersweet,” she said. “I love skating; I’ve been doing it for so long. I’m super excited for Nationals. It’s going to be so fun. I’m having some more family there, which is always so nice. I’ve been training hard. … Honestly, I just feel really excited.”
Her mother, aunts, and grandmother will attend. Instead of staying at the competitors’ hotel, Andrews prefers an Airbnb, where she can cook for herself and have some peace and quiet.
In addition to naming the Olympic team, after the championships, U.S. Figure Skating will name the competitors who will represent the U.S. at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, which will be held in Beijing, China, later this month. Andrews is hoping to be selected.
“Let’s enjoy this year,” Andrews said. “It’s a big year for a lot of people. … I’ve never been to China. I’m going to some new places this season. This year has been an adventure.”
There have been times over Andrews’ career when she has been the lone African American skater at a competition. “[I hope I] inspired people to want to try to put boots on and step onto the ice,” she said.
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