The 2010 Winter Olympics may be more than three years away, but Colorado native Jeremy Abbott knows that now is the time to start planning.

“I am working toward the 2010 Olympics, but I also have daily, monthly and yearly goals,” said Abbott, the 21-year-old figure skater whose father lives in Grand Junction.
In January, Abbott will make his senior debut at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. He won the Junior Men’s title in 2005.

Abbott, who started skating at age 2 after seeing 1980 Olympic Men’s Champion Robin Cousins perform at the Winter Garden in Aspen, has earned more than 300 medals in his illustrious skating career.

The latest gold came at the Midwestern Sectionals in Birmingham, Ala., which earned him a berth at the upcoming U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash. In October, he won the Finlandia Trophy in Vantaa, Finland, a prestigious international competition.
“Jeremy took to skating right away,” said his mother, Allison Scott. “After that show with Robin Cousins, he turned to me and said, ‘I want to do that.’”

After not qualifying for the U.S. Championships last season, Abbott has been determined to improve.

“This year, I have learned so much,” he said. “I’m really excited about my first Senior Nationals. I’ve been working hard. Whether I place first or sixth, I’ll be completely happy. The TV coverage changes the whole feeling of the competition.”
The men’s free skate will be shown live on ESPN2 on Jan. 27.

Preparing Abbott, who trains at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, to do his best is a team of coaches including former U.S. competitors Damon Allen and Tom Zakrajsek. He also works with Kathy Johnson, a Juilliard School dance graduate, to develop his artistry. Allen and Tom Dickson handle choreography, with Abbott also contributing his input. His memories of Cousins’ elegance and commanding presence on the ice are always in his mind.

Training at high altitude has helped Abbott build stamina. He’s developed consistency on the all-important triple axel jump and he’s starting to land the quadruple toe loop and quadruple salchow. He will probably not attempt the quads at Nationals. He is hoping for a good placement. “Even if I don’t make the World team (there are three spots), the Four Continents Championship in Colorado Springs (Feb. 5-11) would be incredible,” he said.

He found performing at the Glacier Ice Arena in Grand Junction quite incredible. “I was honored to be invited,” he said. “The rink did an amazing job as well as seeing the whole community pull together after only being open for five months.” The show included several skaters who’d only been skating for a few months.

After the final show, Abbott was presented with a check for the foundation he created for male skaters, which helps offset costs for Aspen Skating Club members for costumes, coaching and travel. He surprised the audience by saying, “I’m giving this check to the Grand Valley Figure Skating Club so they can help other skaters in Grand Junction.” The club has 25 members and is the only figure skating club on the Western Slope of Colorado.

While Abbott has many nonskating interests, he is currently forgoing his beloved snowboarding so as not to risk injury. “It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make,” he said with a smile.