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Skaters

Nicholas LaRoche

Born:

July 29, 1983

Birthplace:

Gardner, MA

Height:

5' 10"

Level:

Senior

Hometown:

Gardner, MA

Training Town:

El Segundo, CA

Club:

All Year FSC

Coach:

Burt Lancon

Choreographer:

Burt Lancon, Eric Stretch

LaRoche retired from competitive skating after his short program at the 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

LaRoche began skating at age 9 after watching Kristi Yamaguchi win the Olympic Winter Games ... He participated in the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills program from 1992-94 ... He was awarded the "State Award" from the Massachusetts State Senate in recognition of being one of the state's top athletes ... Full-time skating teacher ... Hobbies include shopping, traveling and going to the beach ... He is the youngest of five children ... Says not many people know that he is working on a nonprofit organization to help struggling athletes ... Biggest life-defining moment were winning the U.S. Championships junior title in 2002 and losing his brother in 2003 ... If he could be on a reality show it would be "The Real World" ... Says he's always wanted to be on the show and that it would be fun to have the life of a skater mixed with the "normal" people ... After his skating career, he would like to continue teaching and helping children achieve their dreams ... Cousin Paul Martin was successful in paraplegic triathlon ... Would like to meet Oprah Winfrey because he's amazed with how she has taken her life to such a degree where every person respects her ... Has a passion for teaching, traveling and helping children ... Favorite foreign city to travel to is Zagreb, Croatia, because "I found that Zagreb's downtown area reminded me a lot of New York City."

Favorite TV show: Lost
Favorite movie: Something's Gotta Give
Favorite celebrity: Oprah Winfrey
Favorite book: P.S. I Love You
Favorite web site: usfigureskating.org, myspace.com
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite drink: Iced tea

2008 Season Notes
SP Music: "Fiesta Flamenca" by Monty Kelly
FS Music: Piano version of "Unchained Melody"

Costumes designed by Lindy Z

Goal is to skate a personal best at the U.S. Championships.
2007 Season Notes
SP Music: "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven
FS Music: "Unchained Melody" and "Unforgettable"

Goals are to beat his top score from last season and finish in the top six at the U.S. Championships.
2005 Season Notes
SP Music: Kodo Drums
Free Skate Music: "Fiesta Flamenco"

Goals are to earn an international medal and to finish in the top 6 at the U.S. Championships.
2004 Season Notes
SP Music: "Time to Say Goodbye"
FS Music: Music from Brahma, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov
2003 Season Notes
LaRoche competed in his first senior international event at the 2003 Nebelhorn Trophy where he finished third under the new judging system ... He was eighth at the Golden Spin of Zagreb.

SP Music: "Songs from a Secret Garden"
FS Music: music from the soundtracks of Dragonheart and Jurassic Park.

Nicholas LaRoche's short program at the 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships 400K | 700K