Figure skating icon Nancy Kerrigan offers local tutorial, talks Alysa Liu

On an unusually rainy day in the Coachella Valley, two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan offered insights to local skaters during a tutorial at the Berger Foundation Iceplex at Acrisure Arena.

The clinic held Sunday, Sept. 6, was open to skaters of all ages and skill levels, and it cost $275 to participate, or $250 for members of the Desert Figure Skating Club . Some came from as far as Ontario and Pasadena to spend time with the famous figure skater, who won a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics and a silver in 1994.

Kerrigan was also at the center of a bizarre, infamous incident in January 1994, when she was struck on her knee by an assailant with a police baton who later turned out to be the ex-husband of her rival, Tonya Harding. Kerrigan quickly recovered and still competed in the Olympics weeks later.

Before putting on her skates and showing some moves to those gathered at the Berger Foundation Iceplex, Kerrigan sat down with The Desert Sun to briefly talk about her passion for the sport, her perspective on today's Olympic stars like Alysa Liu and her impressions of the valley. Here is what the figure skating Hall of Famer had to say.

Olympian Nancy Kerrigan hosts figure skating workshop at Iceplex

Q: Why do you think it's important to hold events like this and put on these kinds of tutorials?

A: I love doing the camps because it just brings these communities of skaters together and it is a strong community. No matter what rink I go in, it feels like home kind of. They're just people doing the same thing I love to do, so it's a nice opportunity to share my too many years (laughs) of practice and knowledge. I feel honored that I get asked to share that and help in some way. It's fun. Skating's fun. It's a great time to come together with people who also love it.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about your book (titled "Stronger Than She Thinks")? When did that come out?

A: It came out about two and a half years ago. That was my latest book and first children's book I did. "Stronger Than She Thinks" is sort of a motto that I live by. After going through everything I went through, it's made me realize I'm stronger than I think, and I'm not special. We're all people. We all have this reservoir of strength just in case we need it, and hopefully people don't need it, to dig deep, but we have the capability to do so much more than we even typically tap into. So, it's good to know we have it. A belief in yourself is something very helpful, I think, when you're doing any sport or anything that you love — remembering why you do it, because you love it. That helps to make it easier, so if you can find passion in what you're doing, it definitely makes it not work. It was so fun to write a children's book and come down, having to narrow down an idea. That was the hardest part (to figure out) — what was a turning point so that kids and skaters could relate? It was a fun process.

Q: I'm wondering what you think of the state of figure skating today, like if you had any skaters you really enjoyed watching in the Winter Olympics? (held earlier this year in Milan, Italy)

A: The whole U.S. team was amazing, working together and having some camaraderie, not just with their own team, but with other teams across the world. It was so nice to see. I think we had that way back when I was competing, but it wasn't as shown by the press. I definitely was friends with people from all over and still am friends with them today. It's nice that that's being shown, and I think there's a reason for it. Like, you're competitors, but at the same time, you see someone doing something good, you should be able to have respect for that. This is hard and we know how hard it is, so if someone else is doing something great, celebrate that. Let it not get you afraid or nervous, let it inspire you to make your own skating better. Instead of being more at each other, it's nice to see that camaraderie with the whole team at the Olympics. It was so fun, and just the joy they brought to everyone watching was amazing.

Q: What did you think of Alysa Liu's gold medal performance?

A: Exactly that — it was joyful. She just made people smile, like I just smiled the whole time. It was fun to watch her, and you don't always feel like that in a competition. It was great.

Q: Have you been to Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley in the past? Or is this a first?

A: No, I've come here before. My husband's been in the tennis business forever, so I've come to watch the tennis before. It's amazing — the views with the mountains. It's so beautiful. I'd love to come back and hike some of them. It looks gorgeous. And the sky last night was unbelievable. It was crazy. The clouds were so interesting, stuff I've never seen. It's a beautiful place. I'm glad to be here.

Tom Coulter is a reporter for The Desert Sun. Reach him at thomas.coulter@desertsun.com.