Ask Todd!
Ever had a quetion you were just dying to ask Todd? Well here's your chance! Todd has graciously agreed to answer one fan question per month here on toddeldredge.net. We'll try to post a new question every month. If you'd like to submit a question for Todd please use the submission form.
If you'd like to send Todd a fanmail letter or request an autograph please use the below address. Todd does not have a email address for fanmail
Todd Eldredge
Germain Arena
11000 Everblades Parkway
Estero, FL 33928
Germain Arena
11000 Everblades Parkway
Estero, FL 33928
Todd Answers
July 2010 What are the first few days like when you finish a touring season with SOI? Is it an adjustment getting back into your own routine?Todd's Answer: When the Tour finishes every year it is a bit of an adjustment in getting back into the swing of normal life at home. Of course the first few days usually include unpacking, laundry, going through the mail and unfortunately paying the bills and just trying to adjust to a normal day. It's also hard splitting up as a cast because you see each other every day for the better part of 4 months so you really miss everyone and can't wait to see them all either at a show during the summer or in the fall or back at rehearsals the next year.
April 2010 During Stars On Ice shows, what do you do while other cast members are on the ice?
Todd's Answer: During the Stars shows all the skaters are usually pretty busy as you are always involved in many of the various group numbers or transitions, so there is a lot of time changing costumes, taking skates on and off and warming up. If there is ever a long enough break for someone to sneak out and take a peek and watch someone else that's a bonus.
February 2010 If you could give other rising Oympians advice on skating, what would you
tell them?Todd's Answer: The best advice I would give other Olympic hopeful skaters is work hard, be committed and always try to keep a positive attitude. If you want to be a champion someday you have to live like a champion, but always remain humble.
September 2009 If you were skating in a competition for the last time in your career tomorrow, what program from the past would you choose to skate? Why?Todd's Answer: Looking back on my competitive career and thinking of all the numbers that I have done, I would have to choose the program I skated to Lord of the Rings in 2002. I really liked that music a lot and the program as well.
July 2009 I know you guys have the "quick change" at Stars On Ice. Have any of the cast members ever had a near-fiasco from delays getting on costume?? Todd's Answer: There have been several times that there might be a costume malfunction or a skate issue or something that might delay getting back on the ice when you're suppose to. Most of the time though when the show is planned out they work a little bit of a buffer into the changing between numbers so it doesn't happen that frequently.
April 2009 You are the best spinner there is. Do you feel people clap when you do easier moves and not when you really do the hard moves? Todd's Answer: It is kind of funny that people love it when someone does a really great fast spin or even a great spiral or spread eagle and then when someone goes out and does a Triple Axel they clap but nowhere near as loud. I think since a Triple Axel takes about 1 second to do and a fast spin last for a long time people are more excited at the fact that someone can still stand up after spinning that long without falling over or getting sick.
March 2009 Before you became "famous", did you ever go to a Stars On Ice show (or some other pro exhibition) and just sit there there entire time with your mouth gaping open, totally enthralled... because there's one thing that all famous skaters have in common - when you see them skate, the one thing you get out of that experience most is your own love for the sport?Todd's Answer: I did attend a Stars on Ice show many years before I was in it and at the time I could remember thinking how great it would be to be a part of a show like that in the future. Of course I was enthralled by the skaters because they were all my predecessors like Scott Hamilton and Brian Orser and they were the best of the best at that time so I was just excited to see them performing live.
January 2009 Hi Todd, I've seen you skate many group numbers in Stars On Ice that have included props...everything from brooms to suitcases to baseball bats. I'm wondering how hard is it to sk ate with a prop and not drop it or bump into your fellow skaters? Which one was your favorite? Which one was the hardest to work with?
Todd's Answer: Skating with props always presents a challenge since it is something different than what we're used to. The hardest thing to master I would have to say was probably the suitcase number mostly because of the bulkiness of it and the awkward way in which we used them on the ice throughout the number. My favorite would probably have to be the brooms. We had a lot of fun putting that number together and there were a lot of funny mishaps throughout the Tour with those as well.
November 2008 Where (and How) do you display the medals and trophies you won over your career? Which one is your favorite award/medal?Todd's Answer: I have some of my medals and trophies in a case in my office at my house and some are in a closet in the house until I figure out a way to eventually display them all properly. I would have to say that my favorite is of course the World Championship medal.
October 2008 Have you ever thought about releasing a DVD of your past performaces? Maybe there's a copyright issue that would prevent you from being able to do that, but I for one would love to be able to purchase a DVD like that. Thanks for any information you can give me on that subject.Todd's Answer: I've never thought about releasing a DVD of my performances and I do think I would have to get permission from all the different Networks for the to release the footage to me for sale. I'm guessing that would be very difficult to get also.
September 2008 What do you miss the most when you are on the road with SOI?Todd's Answer: The one thing I miss the most is being in one place for more than a day or two.
August 2008 Given that the two most important pieces of equipment for a skater are their
boots and blades, what kind of boots and blades do you use?Todd's Answer: I use Graf - Edmonton Boots and Pattern 99 Blades.
July 2008 Can you tell us why skaters say that competing at Nationals is more difficult than competing at Grand Prix events or even Worlds? And was that true for you? Todd's Answer: The biggest difference between competing at the Nationals compared to Grand Prix events or even Worlds is the fact that you are still trying to qualify to move on to the premier level of competition in our sport, the World Championships or Olympics. A Grand Prix event is a qualifying event for the Final, but you have 2 different events to earn points to reach the Final not just one like at Nationals and if you've made it to the Worlds you've already achieved the top level of competition and that's as high as you can go so you're just trying to achieve your best placement in the World.
April 2008 Congratulations on your recent induction into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame! What are your thoughts on being selected to the Hall of Fame?Todd's Answer: It is a tremendous honor to have been inducted. I think of all the other athletes in skating as well as other sports who have been inducted into their respective Hall of Fames, and it gives me a great feeling to know that what I have done in the sport has been respected by my peers. For me to be mentioned in the same company as Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, Dick Button, and all the other inductees is a really great honor.
February 2008 Todd, you were wonderful in the US "Double Exposure" tour. According to Jen Robinson's tour diary, you and your castmates on the Canadian tour got to see "Blades of Glory." What did you think of the movie?
Todd's Answer: I thought it was hilarious.
January 2008 Looking back on your career so far, is there one program or one costume that you look at now and think "What was I thinking?"
Todd's Answer:As far as costume I think it would have to be the 13th warrior costume that I wore at Nationals and I can't think of any program off hand.
December 2007 When on tour do you get to see anything in the cities you visit or is it just hotel rooms and arenas?
Todd's Answer: With the schedule that we are on there are only a select few cities where we actually get a chance to do anything besides sleep, eat, and skate. I have been to most of these cities many, many times and there are still some that I have never had a chance to actually see the sights.
November 2007 I was wondering if you have complete feedom over the music you use for the SOI tour, or if the producers have certain guide lines for you to follow??
Todd's Answer: I can choose whatever I like. However, I usually have at least 3 or 4 things in mind, and then I will present them to the creative team and they can decide what pieces fit best within the theme of the show.
September 2007 You are a left-handed skater in ice-staking, is it a little bit difficult to play the performances with other skaters?Todd's Answer: Sometimes on practice it can be more difficult because they don't expect you to be jumping in a certain place on the ice. So sometimes it can be a bit of a conflict but usually after a few minutes everyone figures it out.
August 2007 What is the best (thing) that you've seen/read/heard recently:Todd's Answer:
Book: Driving with the Devil by Neal Thompson
Movie: Blades of Glory
CD/MP3: I usually just download stuff on itunes, but last song would be "Show Me Your Glory" by Third Day
TV Show: Grey's Anatomy or CSI:NY
Movie: Blades of Glory
CD/MP3: I usually just download stuff on itunes, but last song would be "Show Me Your Glory" by Third Day
TV Show: Grey's Anatomy or CSI:NY
June 2007: What did you think about your first time competing under Code of Points? Anything you wished you had done differently?Todd's Answer: There isn't anything I wished I had done differently. I thought it was interesting to compete under this system and try to figure out what the best possible formula would be for the elements I was able to do at the time. I don't agree with various things within the system as far as what they are making the skaters do to earn points, but nonetheless it was interesting.
May 2007: If you could live anywhere in the world (other than where you live now) where would it be, and why?Todd's Answer:If I could live anywhere in the world other than where I live now, I would have a hard time deciding on one place. I have been to so many great places and there are so many that I haven't been to yet, it would be unfair for me to choose just one. But if I had a to pick from the places that I have been so far I would have to say right here in the USA, because this is where I'm from and I love it here.
April 2007: Todd, I loved your number "1492" will you ever perform it again? Will you ever do any of your numbers from the past again?Todd's Answer: I probably won't do the 1492 number again and as for bringing back any other numbers, you never know but I always like to try to come up with something new every year, it keep things fresh for me.
March 2007: What is the earliest childhood memory of skating in Orleans, MA do you remember?Todd's Answer: I remember when I landed my waltz jump for the first time and I wanted my Mom to see it I called her over to show her and I went up in the air and came down on my chin splitting it open and having to go to the doctors to get it stitched up. Ouch!!!
February 2007: Do I remember correctly in that you attended Mt. Carmel High School? Did you graduate from there or just attend for a couple years? I myself graduated from MCHS in 1991. How did you like living here?Todd's Answer: First off I loved living in San Diego it is such a beautiful place and the weather is unbeatable. As for school I tried to attend Mt. Carmel when I lived in San Diego, but they weren't willing to work my school schedule around my skating schedule so unfortunately I didn't end up going there, I did correspondence courses instead so I could train.
January 2007: What is the most inspirational advice you've ever received?Todd's Answer: The most inspirational advice I think I've ever received, outside of what my coach would tell me before I would go out to compete, came from Barb Underhill at the 1998 World Championships. After I had skated my short program I was in 4th place and I had just come off a disappointing result at the Olympics, she wrote me a note and told me about her and Paul's disappointing result at the '84 Olympics and how they came back to win the Worlds in their home country right after that. It was really great to have someone who had been through the exact same situation give me a little pep talk to help me relax and go out and skate one of the best performances I have done and win the Free Skate portion of the event and a Silver Medal. Thanks Barb.
November 2006: You have performed in so many places, in front of so many fans. Your most recent appearences have been on Stars On Ice. When you hear someone shout to you as you go by, can you hear them? If so, have any shouts affected your performances in a good or bad way?Todd's Answer: When I hear someone scream something in the front row or anywhere in the audience for that matter it doesn't bother me although sometimes if I skate by the same person and they make some strange noises everytime I go by I might laugh a little bit.
August 2006: Any chance Stars on Ice will come to Honolulu? The tour used to come here but it stopped a few years agoTodd's Answer: I'm not sure if the Tour will go to Hawaii again, but I sure hope so. I love it there
July 2006: What do you do while on tour to keep the routine from getting boring, both on an off the ice?Todd's Answer: It's hard because every day is similar, but you try to figure out things to do in each city. If we get a chance sometimes we'll try to play golf or something like that.
June 2006: I heard that you worked with Michael Weiss last summer. What is it like after having been an Olympic-eligible skater yourself, to work with Olympic eligible skaters now?Todd's Answer: I enjoyed the time that I had to work with Mike Weiss. It's fun to work with someone who understands what you mean when you tell them how to do something and how it should feel, because they probably already know how to do it anyway.
May 2006: Are there any other sports you enjoy playing and/or watching? If so, what are your favorite teams?Todd's Answer: I like watching all sports. My favorites are golf, basketball, football, auto racing & soccer. As for my favorite teams they would be; Basketball-Detroit Pistons; Football - New England Patriots; Soccer - Arsenal; Golf - Tiger Woods; Auto Racing - Michael Schumacher
March 2006: What do you think the sport of figure skating will be like in 10 years? and Where do you see yourself doing in 10 years?Todd's Answer: I think in 10 years there won't be much change in the sport. There may be some changes in the judging system, but as far as the athletic abilities of skaters, i don't think we'll see too much change. As for me I hope to be a good father and maybe a sports commentator.
February 2006: As an avid fan of yours for many many years, I'm wondering how the healing progress is going with your ankle, and when you project you will be able to peform triples and triple axels again?Todd's Answer: My ankle is a work in progress. I am hoping that the Olympic break from the tour will help the healing process. As for doing triples and triple axels again, I hope that once the Tour is done this season and I can give my ankle the proper rest it needs, that I will be back doing them next season.
February 2006: Since you've joined SOI, which is your favorite of the group numbers?Todd's Answer: I would have to say my favorite group number in SOI would be Brooms.
January 2006: When you were learning a new jump, were your eyes open or closed? Which way is better for skaters?Todd's Answer: Open. You don't have any balance or awareness of where you are when they're closed.
December 2005: What is Christmas like in the Eldredge home?Todd's Answer: When I wasx competing it was always a very short gathering. It still is somewhat because I usually leave to go on the road straight away after New Year's. We wake up and open gifts and then we usually have a ham for dinner.
October 2005: What is the one thing you cannot live without while you're touring?Todd's Answer: The things that I absolutely need on the road are my cell phone, my computer and my skates. I need to have a way to communicate with home and to keep track of all my business on my computer. I think the skates are a given though!
September 2005: What is the normal length of time it takes for you to choreograph a new number? What is the process like?Todd's Answer: It usually takes me anywhere from 1-3 weeks to choreograph a number depending on the music. The process is fairly simple, you figure out where certain elements are going to go and then you work with trying to connect them together with steps.
July 2005: What is your favorite, non-skating, memory from childhood?Todd's Answer: My favorite memory as a child would have to be whenever I came home from wherever I was training in the summer I would go out fishing with my Dad. We would wake up realy early in the morning and go to get breakfast together and then off to the boat to go out for the day. It was really hard work, but I loved being out there and experiencing what my Dad did all the time.
May 2005: You have had the same coach for your entire career, and worked with him for over 20 years. Now that you have turned pro, how has your relationship with your coach changed? How do you work/train differently in terms of the relationship now that you are no longer competing?Todd's Answer: The only thing that's really changed is the number of hours that we work together, because I do a lot more travelling throughout the season.
April 2005: Most pros drop their technical content once they start to tour, but you have kept up all your triples. Will you be able to continue to keep your technical ability without the rigorous training that you did as a competitor, and if so how? Will we ever see you do triple/triple combinations again? Also, what areas of style and artistry do you think you need to expand/explore now that you don't have the eligible competitor restrictions?Todd's Answer: I should be able to keep up most of everything that I use to be able to do unless I have some injuries, which I am currently battling with my ankle, but I don't see why anything should change for now. Maybe down the road i might hae to scale back a bit. You can't go on forever. I can still do triple/triple combinations and I'll probably start putting them back into my routines next season. As far as expanding or exploring other styles, I guess that's more of a trial and error thing. You try a new one and if the fans like then you know you did the right thing, but we'll see what might be next.
March 2005: Who do you think is the greatest music screener/editor for figure skating purposes, and why?Todd's Answer: There are several great ones like James Horner, Michael Kamen, Frank Wildhorn, Jerry Goldsmith, Randy Edelman and Hanz Zimmer. They all compose
great music for epic movies and those soundtracks almost always seem to fit really well with skating.
February 2005: What do you think were your best and worst performances ever, and why do you characterize them that way? Will you write an autobiography? What would you want people to take away from the story of your career and your life?Todd's Answer: Best Performance - Stars on Ice last year at Madison Square Garden. It was one of the best performances I have done and the crowd went crazy as well. Worst Performance - Lalique Trophy in the 1998 Olympic season. It was after I dislocated my shoulder at Skate America, and I couldn't use my right arm properly so I couldn't do my jumps or pretty much anything right. I am in the process of writing an autobiography, but I'm not sure when it'll be finished or if any publishers will pick it up. I would like people to take away from my career the fact that over the span of 12 years I was consistently one of the Top skaters in the World, and that even after turning pro I have continued to entertain the fans and make myself an even better perfomer.
January 2005: When you are on tour, what do you like to do on your off days? Also, who is/are your best friend(s) in skating? What is it about them that you value most?Todd's Answer: Of course, on my days off I like to play golf, but if we're not in a warm enough city then usually I try to find something in that city of interest or just hang out in the room and catch up on email and business. My best friends in skating are Todd & Jenni, Steven Cousins, John Zimmerman, David Pelletier, Scott Hamilton and Kristi Yamaguchi. I value each and everyone's friendship tremendously.
December 2004: How does it make you feel to have so many people look up to you , and care so much about your life?Todd's Answer: It's great to know that I have a lot of people who look up to me for the type of person I am and for the things that I have accomplished in my career. It makes me feel good to know that people can recognize me not just for being a good skater.
November 2004: What type of program have you never attempted (either musical or choreographic style) that you think would challenge and stretch you, and why?Todd's Answer: I think maybe a comedic character, something like Scott Hamilton has done or even Dan Hollander, but I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that yet and I'm not sure the fans are ready to see me do that yet either.
October 2004: Hello, Todd. I am a Figure Skating fan from Beijing of China. I have seen your performance since 1996. I adore you so much. My question is If you have a chance, do you want to go to China to have a performance? And how do you think of China and Beijing?Todd's Answer: I've never been to China, but I would love the opportunity to travel there and to do a show over there as well. China is producing some of the best skater in the World these days, so it would be fun to see where they all train and to do a show with them as well.
September 2004: How do you choose the charities you are involved with? What draws you to a project? Have you ever considered starting your own foundation?Todd's Answer: I like to be involved with charities that seem to be ambitious in their efforts for whatever the cause they represent. I have, in fact thought of creating a foundation, but I haven't talked with anyone about it recently. Maybe I'll have to start that thinking up again and see if I can get something going and who knows, maybe have my own golf outing someday.
August 2004: Have you ever considered attending PGA Q-School? Are you interested in professional golf as a career? How long is your average drive and driving accuracy - and putting stats?Todd's Answer: I would love to have a good enough game to even think of trying out for Q-School. Who knows maybe it's something to look forward to once I am completely finished with skating and Touring. My average drive distance is approx. 275 yards and I have no idea what my putting accuracy would be.
July 2004: Hi If you could skate with a female (pairs or dance) who would it be, and why?Todd's Answer: I have absolutely no idea, I've never really thought about that. If I have to pick I would probably say Elena Berezhnaya because she's great and she's not too tall for me.
June 2004: Hi Todd. I just wanted to ask you if you ever plan to skate to your exhibition number from the Salt Lake games while you are on tour with Stars on Ice? I love that program and would love to see you perform that in person. Also I would like to say thank you for making figure skating so enjoyable to watch.Todd's Answer: I regret to inform you, but the Bocelli song that I skated to will more than likely not be skated by me on the Stars on Ice Tour. It is an older number and unless the choreographers ask for it to be in the show, I will be doing only new number each year.
May 2004: Given that you are such an avid golfer, with such a low
handicap, have you ever made a hole in one? And if so, where? Who's your favorite golfer? What makes them your favorite?Todd's Answer: Unfortunately I have never had a hole in one on the golf course, but I am looking forward to the day when that may happen. Who knows? Fred Couples has always been my favorite golfer mostly because I love his easy swing and he always seems to be a very nice guy in interviews that I've seen with him.
April 2004: If you could meet anyone from any time period and any part of
the world, who would that person be, and why?Todd's Answer: I would have loved to have met my Grandfather on my Dad's side of our family. I would've loved to have heard all about living and growing up on the Cape back when he was a boy and about all the amazing and different stories of his fishing trips.
March 2004: Hi Todd, I'm curious to know what was your favorite memory from
your competitive career, and why?Todd's Answer: Winning the World Championship in 1996 would have to be the highlight of my career. Standing on top of the podium, I realized that all the hard work and dedication I've put into my sport had finally paid off and I had accomplished one goal I had set out to achieve for myself in skating.
February 2004: What is your favorite country to skate in, and why?Todd's Answer: My favorite country to skate in is most definitely the U.S., but outside of that I would have to say Canada, because they have some of the loudest fans and that makes our performances even more exciting.
Janaury 2004: Why did you decide to tour with Stars on Ice?Todd's Answer: I always loved the show when I watched it on TV or went to it live. I felt it was the greatest show on ice. Also Scott Hamilton has been my biggest idol in skating and to be a part of his show is a dream come true.
December 2003: How would you describe yourself, outside of skating?Todd's Answer: Outside of skating I would describe myself as a sports junkie. I love to play and watch many sports, most of all - golf, tennis and auto racing. If I'm not in the rink usually I'm on the golf course.
November 2003: Five Quick Favorites:Todd's Answer: Costume: My Charlie Chaplin costume back in 1994.
Animal: Dog, hard to pick one kind, 'cuz I like many different types
Drink: Gatorade, usually either Orange, Strawberry or Fruit Punch
Meal: Thanksgiving - turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc.
Room in my house: My lower level, because it has all the fun stuff - movie theater, bar, pool table & ping pong table combined, shuffleboard table and a Golden Tee golf video game.
Animal: Dog, hard to pick one kind, 'cuz I like many different types
Drink: Gatorade, usually either Orange, Strawberry or Fruit Punch
Meal: Thanksgiving - turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc.
Room in my house: My lower level, because it has all the fun stuff - movie theater, bar, pool table & ping pong table combined, shuffleboard table and a Golden Tee golf video game.
October 2003: In all the years you've been on tour, do you have a favorite tour memory or moment?Todd's Answer: On the Champions on Ice Tour, it was going to Kohler, WI with Marty Collins and playing golf at Whistling Straits Golf Course. On Stars, so far, it is playing in the Annual Hershey Open Golf Tournament.
September 2003: How did you start playing golf, or who got you into the sport?Todd's Answer: I actually started playing golf when I lived in Colorado, and it was Richard who got me interested in the game.
August 2003: Where would you like to go on a vacation that you haven't been to yet and why?Todd's Answer: I would like to go to Scotland, England & Ireland to play all the old golf courses that I've read about and seen on TV for so many years.
July 2003: What would be your ideal day away from the rink?Todd's Answer: "My ideal day away from the rink would go something like this: Wake up... take a long hot shower... go to The Original Pancake House for breakfast... drive my Ferrari to the golf course - top down of course... play 18 holes with 3 of my friends... settle up all our bets on the golf course over a couple beers... watch the sun set on Lake St. Clair from the deck of my boat... then have a great
dinner at The Townsend Hotel with family & friends... then relax in my house watching either TV or a movie and go to sleep."
June 2003: In all the places you've traveled for competitions and shows, is there one that is your favorite, and what about it (non-skating related) was memorable?Todd's Answer: "My favorite place to visit when I am traveling would have to be Florida. Great golf, great beaches and tons of sun."
