Meld of grace, athletics, dreams keeps ice skating fans on edge

Dell Pellegrini turned 74 Thursday, alone and far from home, bundled up in a big black ski parka to keep warm.

But there would be no pity party for her, because the New York City native was planted in a great upper-row seat at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center, inhaling Day Five of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

She couldn't imagine a better present to give herself.

"The beauty, the athleticism, the wonderful music from pop to classical," said Pellegrini, a retired statistician who got hooked on the sport the first time she lay eyes on Michelle Kwan. "Campbell's Cup, Skate America, Marshalls [twice]. Nationals. Worlds." Pellegrini checks them off.

Pellegrini plans to attend the World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles in 2009, too. "If you follow the sport over the years, you can watch amazing progressions."

Pellegrini is one of a legion of skating fans who travel from coast to coast to watch their cherished sport. Many have never laced up skates. Others confess they know little about the technical aspects. So what? Skating, they say, offers even the rookie spectator so much that no other sport can. Athleticism and sensuality. Soul-stirring music and eye-popping costumes.

Many speak with near-parental pride of having watched wobbly young skaters mature over the years into superstars. With Kwan retired, Pellegrini has no real favorite, "but I'm definitely here to see [Minneapolis native] Rohene [Ward]. And Mirai [Nagasu]. I hope she places well. And, of course, Caroline [Zhang.]"

They haven't been disappointed. "It's very relaxing to watch people glide across the ice," said Karen, who said she's not much of an athlete herself.

"Even the novices are at such a high level," added Anji. "People here are at the top of their game. Everyone's chasing their dream. It's exciting."

"It's kinda magical," said Ketrah Schreifels, 32, of Minneapolis. She and her husband, Kevin, were thrilled to score tickets a few rows from the ice with their three little girls, Karley, 3 1/2; Kendall, 2 1/2 and 5-week-old Kinley. "The girls love princesses and anything sparkly," said Ketrah, who ooed and aahed through the junior level free dance, where sparkly costumes -- and plenty of sparks -- flew between the pairs.

Florence Davitch, 67, of San Diego, offers a rather unusual reason for why she regularly attends the National and World championships when she can afford it. Skating, she said, is a "compassionate" sport.

"Yes, there's the athleticism," said Davitch, who danced for 15 years with the New York City Ballet. "There's intense competition, but it's a very positive sports experience. There's no booing. Everyone's sad when they fall."

"Did you see them skate?" she asked. "That was hot."

Gail Rosenblum • 612-673-7350