My third exclusive interview is with Lucas Broussard.
Lucas is a U.S. national team member.
I met him the first time when he came to visit Japan to see the World Team Trophy in 2023 with his mother.
My first impression of him was that he is a cheerful and pleasant person with a beautiful smile.
(I posted some of his photos in the portfolio section on this web site.)
I told Lucas that Taira Shinohara recommended him for my next interview and he willingly accepted the offer.
In mid-July, a remote interview was held between Canada and Japan while he was staying in Canada for training.
Thank you very much to Lucas for providing this photo taken in Kyoto, for publication.
The first of all, here is a Q&A with him.
1.Can we start by you telling us about yourself first?
My name is Lucas Broussard. It’s pronounced Lu-Cah (the S is silent because the name is French). I was born on June 15th, 2006 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. My mother is Chilean (but was born in England), and my father is French. I also have two older brothers, Sebastian and Julian. My family moved to Seattle, Washington, when I was 6 for my father’s work. I’m talkative and love socializing with friends!
2.Please tell us how you started figure skating.
I started skating in December of 2015 in Sun Valley, Idaho. I was there because I used to ski race but stopped once I tried skating. When I returned to Seattle, I continued skating because I loved it. Since then, skating has been a large part of my life.
3.Is there a figure skater you are longing for?
I’ve never had the chance to meet my favorite skater, Yuzuru Hanyu, and I would love to see him skate in real life. I’d also love to meet Yuna Kim, whom I’m a massive fan of. I’ve had the chance to meet and skate with Jason Brown, and I’m constantly in awe of his fantastic skating and personality. Any time I watch him, I become deeply inspired.
4. I was very sad to withdraw from the US Nationals this year.
How is your health these days?
Unfortunately, I had a SI joint injury that caused me to withdraw from nationals. On the whole, I’m pretty healthy physically and mentally. It takes much work to prevent injuries from coming back, but I’m doing my best to keep myself healthy.
5.Your programs for this season.
Corrie Martin choreographs all of my programs. My free skate has been kept the same as last year (The Four Seasons). Corrie and I rarely choose a story for my programs since we feel it’s less about a story and more about my movements. This year, my short program music is from a French movie about peace found during WWII.
6.Goals for this season.
One of my goals this season is to put together two clean performances in one competition. I couldn’t do even one clean program last season, so this is a big goal, but I think it’s possible.
7. Please tell us your schedule for one day of practice.
During the school year, my schedule varies from day to day. Typically, I wake up at 5:30 and get on the ice at 6:45, where I skate until 7:30. I’ll then be at school by 8:15 and have classes until 2:30. I leave school half an hour early to be at the rink at 3 p.m. I’ll then skate from 3:30 to 5:30 when I have either stretch class, strength and conditioning, gyrotonics, or ballet. When I get home, I do my homework and study.
8. What do you do on holidays?
During the holidays, I usually don’t do much. Sometimes I go to see a movie with friends. I’m able to skate at more convenient hours, however. If I travel during the holidays, I usually don’t skate, but sometimes I do for fun.
9.If you could swap places with someone for a day, who would it be?
If I could switch places with someone, I’d choose Lisa Simpson from “The Simpsons” because she’s super intelligent and funny.
10.Have you ever learned any other sports?
I used to ski race competitively. It was fun, and I was reasonably good at it.
11.Are you good at studying? What subject are you good at?
I really enjoy school, even though it’s challenging to balance it with skating. My favorite subject this year was definitely chemistry! I plan on taking an engineering class next year since I think I’m interested in becoming an engineer when I’m older. I like almost every class at school aside from history…
12. Have you traveled recently? Please tell us what kind of trip it was.
I recently traveled to Japan for vacation and skated there. I was there for about a week and had lots of fun training with Japanese skaters (at MF Academy). I also went to Hakone while I was there―it was beautiful.
13.Please tell us your dreams and goals for the future.
A goal of mine is to enjoy skating no matter what happens. There would be no point in succeeding in the sport if I didn’t love it.
14.Message to skating fans.
A message I have for skating fans: your support makes the world turn!
※Lucas Broussard
18 years old, born on June 15, 2006
Main Results
2021 JGP debut
2022 JGPF 2nd
2023 US Figure Skating Championships (Junior) 1st
2023 World Junior Figure Skating Championships 7th
2023-2024 season
Cranberry Cup 14th
Nebelhorn Trophy 4th
Cup of China 12th
Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the 2024 US Figure Skating Championships due to injury.
His graceful performance was outstanding even when he was still in the junior category; his gorgeous skating attracted attention during the competition.
When I saw his performance the first time with my own eyes at the competition, I felt he was such a beautiful skater, like a delicate piece of glass and would break when you touch.
However, off-ice he was a young man with a soft high-pitch voice tone and a cheerful smile.
He hasn’t participated at the competition held in Japan yet, but he visited Japan several times in private.
I think he might have a chance to visit Japan again in the near future to see an ice show of Yuzuru Hanyu, whom he admires so much.
When that happens, I would like to interview him again.
He is the one of the skaters I want you to keep eye on during this season.
Translator : Mayumi.H
Interviewer: Kasumi.N
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