By Andrea Thompson

I just got back from the SOI in Roanoke. Leslie, Kara, Kara's friend Angie
and my mother were with me. It was so great because Ilia was awesome.

I don't now how he did in the other two shows, but he stole this show. Everybody that was there agreed. I have never seen him skate with such charisma and showmanship and he didn't missed a jump. The 3 axel and 3 lutz were done perfectly. You have got to see his program, Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk. The crowd went wild over it. The quartet number is even better to see live, also. Ilia did 2 pair lifts with Katia, and seeing Katia do pair moves and lifts with Denis Petrov brought back wonderful memories. The choreograhy of this program was beautifully put together. It just gave me such a high watching Katia, Ilia, Denis and Elena interchanged with their routines on the ice.

My daughter and her girlfriend were so star struck and so happy to met Ilia in
person. Angie said that he is even better looking in person and he smelled good. We had passes, but they kept us away from the backstage area saying that someone was going to come out and get us.

While we were waiting, Ilia came to the door and talk to some people first. As he turned away to leave and we called his name. He came right out to us. He asked me what was I doing out here. I didn't understand the question, but he said you are suppose to be backstage. LOL I realized that Ilia came looking for us because we weren't back stage. They wouldn't let us go back there. We
didn't know why until later. We got to talk with him briefly and take pictures. Then Ilia got swamped by others wanting autographs and pictures. Ilia and Elena Bechke were the only skaters that came out to talk with the fans. I missed Elena because I didn't know she was behind me until later. Leslie and I realized that Ilia came out looking for us and we really appreciate that. We found out later that they were not going to let anybody back stage because the skaters had to get ready to leave Roanoke that night. We felt so sorry for
all those other fans that had passes to see their favorite skater and they
weren't given the opportunity to meet and talk with the skaters. This was an exciting night and Ilia as always looks after his fans.

(Info about other skaters) Tara skated well and I enjoyed watching her
programs. She has developed very nicely as an artist. She gave alot of eye contact. Elena Bechke and Denis Petrov were very impressive. I got some great pics (I hope) of them in unique pair moves. Steve Cousins is so cute
and funny in the show. He had some great moments in between most performances and he also skates with excitement in his program. Kristi had problems in the Violin Concerto. She fell badly once on jump and fell to land another one. Her hair came down right before the Tango Number, but as a true performer, Kristi didn't let it rattle her. It was such a pleasure to see Scottie Hamilton skate again since his recovery from cancer treasments. Although he didn't have the usual technical quality in his skating, he was still entertaining. The audience gave him a standing orvation at the end of his last program.

Andrea