Emily Samuelson American figure skater Date of Birth: 23.02.1989 Country: USA

1. Childhood and Early Accomplishments
2. Ice Skating Inspiration
3. Partnership with Evan Bates
4. Junior World Champion Title
5. Transition to Senior Competition
6. Current Stardom and Future Aspirations

Childhood and Early Accomplishments

Emily Samuelson, born on February 23, 1989, in Southfield, Michigan, demonstrated her unwavering determination from a young age. She excelled academically, earning the Presidential Honor Roll in high school. Additionally, she showcased her poise and charisma by finishing as a finalist in the 2007 Miss Michigan Teen pageant.

Ice Skating Inspiration

Samuelson's passion for figure skating ignited during a family vacation to Switzerland when she was five years old. The graceful movements of a young skater she witnessed on a hotel rink captivated her, inspiring her to pursue the sport with unwavering resolve.

Partnership with Evan Bates

In 2000, Samuelson turned her focus to ice dancing, partnering with Evan Bates, a collaboration that continues to date. Coached by former Russian skaters Yuri Chesnichenko and Yaroslava Nechaeva, the pair made their junior grand prix debut in 2005, securing eighth place in Slovakia. They went on to capture gold at the Junior Grand Prix in Mexico and Taiwan the following year, along with a second-place finish at the Junior Grand Prix Final.

Junior World Champion Title

Samuelson and Bates faced a setback in 2007 when they had to withdraw from the World Junior Championships due to an injury sustained during a fall. However, they persevered and claimed the coveted Junior World Champion title the following year in 2008.

Transition to Senior Competition

The 2008-2009 season marked the duo's transition to senior competitions. They debuted at Skate America, finishing fourth overall, and secured a bronze medal at the NHK Trophy. At the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, they placed second, followed by a fourth-place finish at the Four Continents Championships.

Current Stardom and Future Aspirations

Samuelson and Bates have established themselves as one of the most captivating pairs in figure skating. They harbor dreams of claiming the World Cup and achieving stardom. Despite their professional accomplishments, Samuelson remains grounded, finding solace in her family's cottage in New Hampshire and indulging in the works of Jane Austen. Her quirky personality shines through in her admission of being slightly clumsy in everyday life.

Samuelson's aspirations extend beyond the ice. She dreams of sharing a meal with Oprah Winfrey and participating in the reality show "Survivor" to test her limits and experience life outside of modern conveniences. Her guiding principle, inspired by William Purkey, is to "dance as though no one is watching, love as though you've never been hurt, sing as though no one can hear you, live as though heaven is on earth."