Meet U.S. Olympic figure skaters: Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig

ELLENTON -- After a public performance at Ellenton Ice and Sports on Friday, Jan. 29, U.S. Olympic figure skaters Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig went to a two-hour fitness training to pump up for their Winter Olympic performance on Feb. 14 and 15.

Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig joke that people ask them to play the "newly wed" game because of the amount of time they have to spend together on the ice each week. Ladwig and his wife went to Vancouver together.

They left on Monday, Feb. 8, for Vancouver, but every moment leading up to their departure was timed and carefully meditated.

But, still, Evora’s energy was bubbling over that day and her childlike sparkle was contagious, while both skaters rested outside the facility’s gym.

”It’s an inspiring and amazing experience to go through,“ she said. ”You learn something new about being in the position that you are in every day.“

Ladwig, who tried to keep his cool, was more focused on his personal to-do checklist.

”I just finalized my airplane tickets with my wife,“ he said. ”It’s just one more hurdle down. We just have our checklist and we are running through it each day.“

He’s not worried about missing one or two items on that list, whether it’s throws, jumps or lifts.

”You just go back and retune and do the basics that got you so far,“ he added.

This pair is eight years into their figure skating partnership, and one can sense a strong connection on and off the ice.

But Ladwig is quick to add that they are very respectful of each other’s time off the ice.

He’s a new dad to a four-month-old son, and that day he was on ”daddy“ duty, too. 

Evora is also busy wearing several ”hats“ during her week.

”Other than skating I also coach here and work in the accounting department,“ she said. ”I also go to school, but I have this semester off.“

It’s a good thing that she’s not in class right now, as the two prepare for their performance of a lifetime.

However, Evora is enrolled in a business program at the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee campus as a part-time student. She has been taking classes for eight years, while figure skating, coaching and working at the facility.

”I have been really proud of her,“ Ladwig said. ”She started at MCC (State College of Florida) and transferred over to USF (University of South Florida).“

He joked to Evora that he did have two credits from the University of Minnesota.

”I used my parents’ college savings for my skating,“ he said. ”It dried up in 2001.“

He’s 29 and she’s 25, and their paths crossed eight years ago when he practiced once with Evora on the ice.

”This girl was willing to be gutsy with the new guy,“ Ladwig said. ”You have to trust your partner.“

Evora quickly interrupted her partner and said that he made it easy for her to trust him.

She explained that Ladwig was very thorough when he explained what he wanted to try on the ice with her, and she said he made sure to walk through each move before they would actually try it in motion.

Ladwig, from left, and Evora performed for people at Ellenton Ice and Sports during their final practice week in Florida.

These jumps and lifts are Olympic-level moves and this pair has aced some of the most complicated lifts, as both agree on their favorite one.

”I like doing the middle lift in our long,“ Ladwig said getting a little confident smirk on his face. ”There’s a sucking of air from the audience.“

He said when the audience realizes that he is holding her up on one hand, while skating on one foot, then when Evora falls into the splits the people gasp in awe.

”It’s a reverse overhead,“ she said. ”I love this move – it’s a crowd pleaser. I get to see the audience and really enjoy the moment.“

Evora smiles dreamily and said at that moment she feels like she’s flying through the air.

Ladwig tilted his head a bit, as if to see that audience in slow motion through the eyes of his U.S. Olympic partner.

”A lot of my big moments are captured in her smile,“ he said.

 "Meet U.S. Olympic figure skaters: Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett" on The Bradenton Times.

Evora and Ladwig will perform at the Olympics Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.

Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address.  She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers.

Please use this e-mail address for Ask Erica:  ask.erica@thebradentontimes.com.