Multi-Sport Athlete Tan Skates for the Philippines

Gracielle Jeanne Tan

April 12, 2006
Article & Photo © J. Barry Mittan 

Gracielle Jeanne Tan, who made history at the 2006 World Junior Figure Skating Championships by being the first lady from the Philippines to compete at an ISU championship, didn't start out as a skater. "I didn't go skating until I was ten," she said. "I was too busy doing other things from when I was five I learned to play the piano, was on a swimming squad, took dance classes, did gymnastics and learned tae kwan do."

She did gymnastics from five until ten. "I was good on the beam and the floor," she recalled, "but they changed the rules for who could compete and I didn't like it anymore. I was in swimming with my brother from five to 12. I liked the backstroke best but we never competed. I also did tae kwon do starting when I was five. My brother signed up for it and got this really cool sparring kit so I wanted to do it too. I quit after I got my second dan black belt when I was 12."

"Performing in a modern dance troupe was my favorite thing," she continued. "I danced from when I was seven until 13. My best was jazz and tap. Our team competed at the National Showcase in Las Vegas from 1997 to 1999 and won first in tap and fifth overall one year. Then in 1998, my aunt was watching the Olympics on television and told me that would be a really good sport for me. I watched Tara Lipinski and it was really inspiring."

"My mom called Disney Ice and asked about lessons but they said they only had hockey classes," she continued. "But my other aunt said they had ice skating lessons in Irvine so I went there to learn. We traveled back and forth from Chino Hills for two years so I could skate." In addition to ladies singles, Tan competed on a synchro team, the ICE 'Kateers, for two and a half years. The team finished fourth in intermediates during her last season.

"Several times I considered ice dancing when I was frustrated with my freestyle," Tan said. "My choreographer asked me to try dance but after two weeks, I decided I really liked singles. I like the challenge of learning new jumps and spins. It's so exciting. I like the rush on my face when I'm jumping." She landed her first triple salchow at 15, then a triple toe loop, but was injured right after that. "I got a bad bone bruise on my ankle in February 2005 and couldn't take off for my jumps," she said. "I had to take five months off, then started back in artistic competitions and couldn't do any jumps until August. Now I'm just trying to get my double axel clean. I got it at a Junior Worlds practice. I want to work on the triple salchow this summer and my double-double combinations."

The 17-year-old trains with John Saitta and Sondra Holmes in Anaheim, California where she practices for 2-3 hours a day, six days a week. Off ice she does an hour-long workout three times a week plus stretching and jump training on the trampoline. She also goes cycling every week with her uncle. "We did the Santa Anna Trail," she said. "That's 22 miles. And we did the Santa Monica trail that's 28 miles. I really love cycling.

Tan selects her own music together with her mother. "I really like music that's not used a lot but it takes a long time to find it," she said. "I like slow and strong music, dramatic music than you can put emotion to. My coach usually cuts my music, but I did the short myself. I used it for a second year because I didn't get to use it much in 2005, but the long program I got new just a month before Junior Worlds." She used "Somewhere in Time" for the short and "Memoirs of a Geisha" by John Williams for the long.

"The short program music was something my mom loved," Tan continued. She was always humming it in the car. The long program music was something we heard first in the trailer for the movie, Memoirs. We watched the movie and got the album. Next season, I'll probably keep both programs." Off ice, she listens to pop music, but is not a huge fan of rap. She used to play the piano but quit when she was 14. "I regret it now," she said. "I wish I'd stayed with it."

Off ice, she enjoys reading, mostly science fiction and mystery novels, especially Mary Higgins Clark. She also likes to chat online and go out with friends to movies or to teach them skating on public sessions. "I also like to dance in random places when the music is on," she said. "Dancing is my passion." Tan also collects spoons.

Tan is in her final year of high school, doing directed individual studies. "I love math," she said. "I'm in advanced placement math classes. I plan to study biomedical sciences in college. My parents are both doctors and I'm headed towards being a doctor too. I'll probably work in my dad's company in occupational medicine."

For next season, she wants to improve on her personal best scores and go to Junior Worlds again. She also hopes to land her triple salchow in competition. "I want to keep skating as long as I can," she said. "I love playing a role when the music plays and I love learning new elements."