CRAIG HEATH
Craig Heath competed on the Senior Level at the US Nationals from 1988 to 1993.
"1993 was my last Nationals, in Phoenix," remembers Craig. "In 1992, I was 6th in Senior Men and that was a great accomplishment for me, especially after overcoming a very serious knee surgery that kept me off the ice and in recovery for five months. That could have ended my career entirely. I knew in my heart that 6th was probably the highest I was ever going to be. I loved skating, but I didn't love all the jumping. I wanted to skate, but in a different way. I was not sure how that was going to happen, but a very memorable conversation between my father and my choreographer, Cindy Stuart, prompted me to search for another way to continue to skate and perform."
Craig did leave the amateur scene with one major title, the 1991 Men’s Figure Champion. But the title he claims means the most to him, is one that came in 1998.
Says Craig, "It’s the World Professional Bronze Medal. Winning this title was so unexpected to me, and it gave me incredible confidence in the Pro skating world. I had been working very hard to make a good career in the pro world. I did everything that I could do to improve my performances. This title was the icing on the cake that I needed to continue to excel in a world filled with World and Olympic champions. This title allowed me to launch a very successful career in the pro skating industry, without any ISU World or Olympic medals. And my pro skating career has really been wonderful. I am going on my 12th year as a pro. I have had some absolutely incredible jobs in this business. I have performed all over the world and back again. When I turned pro, I wanted to work just as hard as I had as an amateur. I thought to myself, "What do I need to do to get people to hire me?" I toured with "Disney on Ice" for six years as Andy and Sid from "Toy Story." I performed in shows all over the world and for the past three years, I have been starring in "Holiday on Ice-Hollywood." For the past 3 years, I have spent the winters in Europe and the summers in Sun Valley, Idaho where I perform in the Saturday night show and teach during the week.
"I have been very smart with my money since I started in this business. In 1996, I bought a beautiful condominium in Mill Valley, CA (just outside of San Francisco) and then in 1998, I bought another one in Sun Valley, Idaho. I was elected as the president of the Professional Figure Skaters Cooperative four years ago, so that has really kept me busy whenever I am off the ice. The PFSC is the only organization that is there for the performing skaters. We strive to promote pro skating worldwide and to make this industry a positive one that we can all be proud of.
"Growing up as a skater gave me the drive and determination to know that I can do whatever it is that I set my mind to. If I can jump in the air and do triples at six in the morning, before school, what can't I do? The only aspect in my life that has suffered my crazy lifestyle is my love life! But, I would not take anything or any experience back, if I could. I have had an incredible career that continues to bring me to fun and exotic places all over the world. I still giggle to myself every time I receive money for performing. Yes, I love getting the money, but getting paid to do exactly what it is that I want to do and love to do, seems funny."
"1993 was my last Nationals, in Phoenix," remembers Craig. "In 1992, I was 6th in Senior Men and that was a great accomplishment for me, especially after overcoming a very serious knee surgery that kept me off the ice and in recovery for five months. That could have ended my career entirely. I knew in my heart that 6th was probably the highest I was ever going to be. I loved skating, but I didn't love all the jumping. I wanted to skate, but in a different way. I was not sure how that was going to happen, but a very memorable conversation between my father and my choreographer, Cindy Stuart, prompted me to search for another way to continue to skate and perform."
Craig did leave the amateur scene with one major title, the 1991 Men’s Figure Champion. But the title he claims means the most to him, is one that came in 1998.
Says Craig, "It’s the World Professional Bronze Medal. Winning this title was so unexpected to me, and it gave me incredible confidence in the Pro skating world. I had been working very hard to make a good career in the pro world. I did everything that I could do to improve my performances. This title was the icing on the cake that I needed to continue to excel in a world filled with World and Olympic champions. This title allowed me to launch a very successful career in the pro skating industry, without any ISU World or Olympic medals. And my pro skating career has really been wonderful. I am going on my 12th year as a pro. I have had some absolutely incredible jobs in this business. I have performed all over the world and back again. When I turned pro, I wanted to work just as hard as I had as an amateur. I thought to myself, "What do I need to do to get people to hire me?" I toured with "Disney on Ice" for six years as Andy and Sid from "Toy Story." I performed in shows all over the world and for the past three years, I have been starring in "Holiday on Ice-Hollywood." For the past 3 years, I have spent the winters in Europe and the summers in Sun Valley, Idaho where I perform in the Saturday night show and teach during the week.
"I have been very smart with my money since I started in this business. In 1996, I bought a beautiful condominium in Mill Valley, CA (just outside of San Francisco) and then in 1998, I bought another one in Sun Valley, Idaho. I was elected as the president of the Professional Figure Skaters Cooperative four years ago, so that has really kept me busy whenever I am off the ice. The PFSC is the only organization that is there for the performing skaters. We strive to promote pro skating worldwide and to make this industry a positive one that we can all be proud of.
"Growing up as a skater gave me the drive and determination to know that I can do whatever it is that I set my mind to. If I can jump in the air and do triples at six in the morning, before school, what can't I do? The only aspect in my life that has suffered my crazy lifestyle is my love life! But, I would not take anything or any experience back, if I could. I have had an incredible career that continues to bring me to fun and exotic places all over the world. I still giggle to myself every time I receive money for performing. Yes, I love getting the money, but getting paid to do exactly what it is that I want to do and love to do, seems funny."
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