Ice Castles Page #3

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Whenever a skater disappears

you hear she got hurt.

But you never really know what happened.

-I bet she can't do a triple.

-Who can?

Besides, she doesn't think she has to.

And you know what's really rotten?

She doesn't.

Yeah, Lexie!

Next time you pull a stunt like that,

it's over. You hear me?

You can get hurt really easily

and then where are we?

Stupid showoff thing with a triple.

But I did it.

I've worked on it

and I wanted to surprise you.

It was a lousy triple.

-You didn't even see it.

-You're not good enough for a triple.

You're not good enough.

Let me tell you something.

Triples may be big crowd pleasers, but

to judges it's a piece of showoff acrobatics.

You can't win at this game

with that kind of crap.

You know what they want, and you do it

better than the others. That's what wins.

Annette knows that.

Every goddamn coach here does.

I'm a goddamn laughingstock.

Make a fool out of yourself, not me.

Now, which is it?

My way?

Or do I drive you to the airport right now?

Control yourself, you're not a baby.

Which is it?

I want to stay.

Please.

Did you see his face

when they missed that film cue?

-You look terrific! When did you get in?

-Just now.

Take off your coat. It's so hot in here.

Take off your shirt if you're hot.

Speaking of that, perhaps later.

Raven, we've got to pick up the cue

after that third spot, thank you.

-How good is she?

-I've never seen such a gift.

It's something natural in her.

You see her and you know what it's about.

She's a bit rough and old fashioned,

but she has it.

I cannot read that. How rough?

-I'll be ready by the '80 Olympics.

-They won't let you.

-Brian, sorry--

-Forget it.

Am I going to have that cue right

for tonight?

Skating is one place

where they don't like upstarts.

We can build up enough media interest

that can't stop it.

-We?

-Yes.

It's what you like to do.

It's what's gotten you where you are...

...and it's going to get you out

of the Midwest affiliate to a network.

And because you're a darling.

-Does she know what's about to happen?

-She wants it.

She may not know, but when she heard

that little crowd in Cedar Rapids...

...it knocked her right on her ass.

She wants it.

I see this as a kind of an Olga Korbut thing.

Everybody's darling.

Hell, we all ended up liking the Russians.

It'll be good for both of us.

No more "One of the best women coaches

in the country"?

That's right.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mary Ellen.

Alexis?

-Am I late?

-No, it's all right.

-I've got a surprise for you.

-Surprise?

Yes. Act natural.

Act natural?

Come here.

Are you out in TV land?

Stretch your arms.

Center, center, and in...

...up, and out.

Good.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

This is Brian Dockett

with another sports essay.

Better, better. Do that ending now.

What does it take to become

a world-class skater in six months?

And one, two, stretch the arms.

Press, up, check.

You're about to find out

as we follow the training...

...and preparation of Alexis Winston,

a skater who appeared from nowhere.

Electrifying the audience of the central

Midwest regionals last month.

Come on, spin, spin! Come on, pull!

That's it, go and into the jump.

Come on, move. Good, push, push.

Into the knee. Come on, jump up, Alexis.

Our cameras will follow the transformation

of an exceptional raw talent...

...into a world-class skater,

under the guidance of American coach...

...Deborah Machland.

It is only fitting that her training

is taking place here...

...at the famous Broadmoor World Arena,

where such skaters as Peggy Fleming...

...Amanda Smith

and Dorothy Hamill trained...

...as well as the current favorite

for the 1980 Olympics, Annette Brashlout...

...runner-up in last year's

world competitions.

The sensation from Waverly

has yet to win a major competition...

...but has already won the heart

of everyone she has met.

Attack it!

And attack!

Better. Whip. Again.

Faster.

Again. Right now.

Get your left arm and shoulder down.

And whip!

Okay, cut it. That's good.

We're all a little bit tired.

-We got a lot of good stuff today.

-You don't have to shoot it.

There are 15 girls in the country

that do that move twice as well as you.

Now, let's get to work.

Okay, shoot it.

And snap!

Here she comes.

Where's your TV crew?

Snubbing everybody or is there a list?

Oh, God, I've got a disease.

Yeah. Success.

It's all right. It isn't catching.

Just irritating.

Thanks a lot.

Look, I'm easy.

It's hard for some of the girls.

They've been doing this for a long time.

You come along, take their ice time.

It's fantastic. Nobody ever got anything

like that before. Sure they're pissed.

Screw them.

So much for the dumb bozo

from the sticks.

I mean, after a while it gets a little old.

-I mean, I'm working my tail off.

-What's worse is they know you're good.

I can't believe it. It's set?

An expanded version of the essay series

to be made part of Christmas in America.

-And Alexis is in?

-They bought it all.

-And only one turndown from the top five.

-Annette?

The only one that doesn't think

she needs exposure.

Bobbie Braker, Sally Richards,

the Canadian champion...

...Wen-An Sun from Taiwan, and the best...

...the French have been heard from.

Ceceil Monchet, number two in the world.

I thought she was bonkers.

Talked to Thimitch myself.

Apparently she's fine.

He wouldn't say what went wrong...

...but he's anxious to get her back

in the minds of the American judges.

In a nice, non-competitive exhibition,

no pressure.

No pressure.

-Hello.

-Hi.

Hi.

How's it going?

Did you see the cover?

Yeah, it's great.

Sports lllustrated.

You're doing all right.

They were so nice. They had

two photographers and everything.

Well, you're a star.

-I'm sorry.

-Thanks for the clipping on your game.

Lex?

Two goals, that's pretty good.

Lex, I want to--

Sioux Falls is a hard team.

I quit today.

I'm just kidding myself here.

I don't want to play hockey.

-Oh, baby.

-Don't worry about it.

I don't even think I give a damn.

I don't know what I want.

I mean, what I'm telling you,

I don't know what I want to do.

I don't--

Look, what difference does it make?

Can you come here...

...for the TV special around Christmas?

I don't think so, okay? Not right now.

I love you.

Yeah, I love you, too.

Okay, very nice, girls.

Come on in, very quickly, please.

You all looked good.

These are the competitors

for the 1980 World Olympics.

This is Brian Dockett presenting,

as part of Christmas in America...

...A Winter-Olympic Preview.

We are happy to be a part

of your Christmas morning...

...and proud to present six, young,

international skating competitors...

...heading for the 1980 Olympics.

From France, and currently favored to be

the next world champion, Ceceil Monchet.

From California, and second

in the senior ladies nationals last year...

...Bobbie Braker.

Canadian champion, Sally Richards.

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