Friday, July 10, 2009

Olympian Boitano to star in ice show

Gold medalist figure skater will launch food show next month


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Olympian Brian Boitano will skate at this weekend’s Sun Valley Ice Show. Photo by Willy Cook

Seeing the world's best figure skaters at the Sun Valley Ice Show is a summer ritual. And when one of the sport's most decorated and well-known skaters such as Brian Boitano comes to perform in Sun Valley, it's not only a treat—it's a sight to behold.

Boitano, a three-time Olympian, has won more than 50 titles, including 23 international gold medals, two World titles, two Pro/AM titles, 16 professional titles, four U.S. National titles, and the Olympic gold medal in 1988.

"I first came to Sun Valley when I was 13 to compete in a summer competition," Boitano said. "I performed in the Sun Valley Ice Show for 10 years, and I took a break and returned after the 1990 Olympics. The summers were very valuable to me."

A book author, commentator, ice skating show producer and much more, Boitano is now entering a new career on television. His show "What Would Brian Botiano Make?" will debut on the Food Network on Aug. 23.

"It's a new adventure, and I am very excited," Boitano said. "I prepare food with friends and people I meet and at the end of the show I have an event with the food I make."

Boitano said the show is akin to a roller derby match—anything can happen. One of the episodes is about his handyman, who never works, and he catches him in the kitchen, and they decide to cook. Another show is entirely about bacon.

"I have always been passionate about cooking and never really could eat what I want until after the Olympics," Boitano said.

The show's title has much to do with the "South Park" movie, an animated comedy that included a song called "What Would Brian Boitano Do?"

"[The writers] were nice to me," Boitano said. "I may be the only celebrity they never skewered. I want the shows creators, Matt [Stone] and Trey [Parker], to be in an episode."

The show is an opportunity for Boitano to reveal his light-hearted real personality, which hasn't always come through because he takes skating so seriously.

Boitano will skate in the Sun Valley Ice Show on Saturday, July 11. The 2009 U.S. gold medalist, Alyssa Czinsey, will also perform.

The ice shows begin at dusk. Tickets for the dessert buffet and ice show cost $62 and reserved bleacher seats for the ice show only cost $32, $47 and $52. Tickets for the Sun Room Terrace for the ice show only are $52. To purchase tickets, call 622-2135 or visit seats.sunvalley.com.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com




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