Kim & Killer - 2000 Peachtree Challenge

The following is a synopsis of an interview with Kim Darnell.

Q: Tell us about skating at Worlds. What was it like?

Kim: The races were really rough. There was a lot of pushing and shoving and pulling on your uniform while skating. These kinds of things would get you DQ’d in the US, but in other parts of the world are allowed as long as you don’t blatantly violate the rules. Coming to compete in another country was a lot of fun. There are so many people at the World Championships, when you see their enthusiasm you get a rush of adrenalin. Even though the spectators were mostly Columbian, they cheered for us all.

Q: Tell me an interesting story about Worlds.

Kim: Well, a lot of fun things happened, but I guess an interesting story is that when the US team arrived, I was the only one who got all her suitcases. The other girls had one or the other of them missing. You know how small I am, it was hard to find some clothes for some of the girls to borrow until their cases arrived.

Q: Tell us what Columbia is like.

Kim: Well, everyone says it is such a dangerous place, but I spent a lot of time with the Columbians and they are so nice! Even with the language barrier, everyone was willing to help and the Columbians always have a smile on their face. The Columbians really look up to the US for helping them beat the drug war. I liked it so much, I’ve planned a private trip back to Columbia in October. I met a really nice boy there and decided to spend some more time with him and his family.

Q: I hear you're switching to ice--how did this happen?

Kim: At residency (training for Worlds at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs), the US National Ice Coach Burt Schoenlen came to me and asked if I’d like to try ice. I have no idea why he chose me, but it would be a chance of a lifetime to try for the Olympics! He told me that I would start by training with the Regional team and I like it, will train for the National team.

Q: Where are you going to train?

Kim: I am going first to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I’ll be staying with Chris Kallus for two weeks on the first trip. If I like it, I might relocate to Wisconsin. I understand that they also do some training in Canada, which I’d like to do.

Q: What’s the training going to be like?

Kim:We will train twice a day on skates and also do some cross training on bicycles. I think there is time in the weight room to develop the different muscles you need for ice. If I make it through this training alive, I’ll be in the best shape of my life. I have never trained this hard on wheels, so it will be an interesting step up for me.