August 2001
Name: Mel
Question: Are you working on any new jumps or spins?
Lately, I've been spending most of my time working on the triple flip and triple lutz. I also hope to work on a triple-triple this year, but my main focus is on the flip and lutz. I'm hoping to have both jumps consistent by the time regionals roll around. I am always trying to make my spins faster and have nicer positions, but I haven't invented my own spin or anything.

Name: Lynn
Question: What was the most satisfying competition so far?
I think my most satisfying competition was 2000 Midwesterns in Detroit. I don't think I could have skated much better than I did that week, and I wound up winning and qualifying for my first trip to Nationals! It's one of my most vivid skating memories, and probably the biggest accomplishment so far in my career.

Name: Toni--An Official Katie Lee Cheerleader ;)
Question: What's your favorite song to skate to?
I really enjoyed using "Smooth" by Santana and Rob Thomas as my exhibition number last spring. Rob Thomas is the lead singer of Matchbox 20, which just so happens to be my favorite music group! My friend Tessa helped me choreograph the program, and we had a lot of fun putting it together, and it was a real hit with the audiences at my shows.

Name: Beatrice
Question: Dear Katie, do you sew you beautiful dresses for competition
by yourself or could you tell me your taylor ? They are so manifique.
Sincerly your Beatrice Lambert
I design my own competition dresses, and my mom sews all of them(one exception: my SP dress last year was a Del Arbour that I beaded). It's much less expensive than a professional tailor, and Mom and I can adjust the pattern or fit as many times as we need to. We go shopping for the fabric and crystals together, and once the dress is assembled, I do all the beading myself. It's time consuming, but it's something I enjoy doing, and I'm assured it will turn out the way I want it to.

Name: Nguyen
Question: What is your dance training besides skating, and how much? Can you describe a typical week of training? 
I've taken about 4 years of ballet and 1 year of jazz. I'm not taking any dance classes currently, but I take time every day to go through the stretching exercises I learned in those classes to help with my flexibility. On ice, I practice 12-16 hours a week, depending on the season and the things I need to accomplish.

Name: Jenni
Question: As a skater, I get extremely upset when I can't land a jump, feel like I'm not as good as everyone else, etc. It's almost more than I can take. Do you get frusterated like this? If so, how do you handle it?
I am a perfectionist, so I tend to get frustrated with myself when I make mistakes, because I know I can do better. Usually, if I can't land a triple, I'll go back and work on the double or single, but if that doesn't help, sometimes I'll just leave that jump alone for the time being, and practice something else. What's important is not to let things get out of proportion. It's easy to get upset and let your emotions take over, but bad days are part of life, and life goes on. "Courage does not always shout from the tops of mountains. Sometimes it is the little voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow'." 

Jacob asks,
Dear Katie, It's really nice to see an excellent skater who really
enjoys what she does and works hard at it! What do you think are your weaknesses? I'm hope to see you skate again soon! 
I have no weaknesses! I'm Katie Lee! :-) Just kidding! Seriously, I think my main weakness right now is that I don't have as much difficulty as some of the other girls. But it's something my coach and I are aware of, and it's certainly not due to a lack of effort. I always try to come back each year with a new jump, so hopefully I will continue to improve in that aspect.

Caty asks,
Question: Dear Katie, Hi my name is Caty too. I'm 9 yrs old and have been skating for 4 yrs. I also wear Riedell boots I have my axel and double salchow. I am working on my double toe and loop. how come when I practice by myself I can't do all my jumps but in my lessons I can do them GREAT? how old were you when you landed a triple and where do you skate? I skate in Nashville TN, and I am going to my first USFSA competition in august. what is it like to go to nationals? do you know Jeb gerth or Molly Quigley?
Gee, I always have the opposite problem...as soon as my coach shows up, I can't land anything! I am sure you'll become more consistent in time, so I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep working, and you'll have those jumps down before you know it. To answer some of your other questions: the first time I landed a triple was right before my 13th birthday...what a great birthday present! Also, I got to meet Molly Quigley at Mids this year. I don't know her very well, but she is really nice. I train in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I represent the St. Paul FSC. And regarding Nationals... it's a very big honor to be competing there. I like to travel, and it's exciting to see so many famous skaters!

Ashley asks,
What would you say to people who would want to try and skate but don't have the money or the family support to do so?
If I was in that situation, I would have a talk with my family and try to work out an arrangement. For example, they would pay for skating lessons once a week if I babysat for free, helped wash the dishes or did my own laundry. It would depend on the situation, but my parents (and most adults) are very reasonable, and would probably be willing to work out a compromise. If money is a problem, most clubs have used skate and dress sales a few times a year, where you can find skates, equipment, and that offers an alternative to paying top-dollar for brand new things.

Chrissy asks,
I was wondering where I could obtain autographs from you do you do any signings? I have two daughters and would love to get your autograph for them...
I do get occasional requests for autographs, and I'm always flattered when people want me to sign something for them. You can send a SASE to the address on my "Fan Mail" page, or send me an e-mail requesting a photo, and include your street address, and I'll drop a signed photo in the mail as soon as I get the chance!

Hadas asks,
Hi Katie!
Do you have a superstition when you step on the ice, or do you have some type of a ritual like wearing a certain necklace? 
I don't really have any superstitions before I compete. I just try to remember to breathe and stay focused on what I have to do.