Michael Berg, 16, skates for the Utah FSC. He is coached by Akop Manoukian and Jozef Sabovcik. Doug Webster choreographs his programs. In the 2002-2003 season, he finished 4th in Novice Men at Central Pacific Regionals and 10th at Pacific Coast Sectionals.

When and how did you begin skating?
I started skating when I was four years old. One day my dad put me on the ice and saw that I loved it and was a natural for it, so he started putting me in skating programs.

What are your long-term goals in skating and off the ice?
One of my long-term goals is to make it to the Olympics. Off the ice is to become a good hip-hop break-dancer.

Will you be moving up to junior for the next season (2003-2004)?
Yes.

What are your goals for the next season?
To go to Regionals and make it to Sectionals and Nationals.

Are you planning to compete in any club competitions this summer?
No.

Would you share your most embarrassing skating moment?
I was in Canada doing a competition, and I didn't really have my double axel but everybody was doing one so I thought I should do it anyway. Well, I'm coming around and I go for it. I sprung really good into the air. Then I found out maybe too good for jumping right next to the wall. I came down right next to the wall and smacked into it.

What are the strongest and weakest aspects of your skating?
My strongest aspect is my ability to jump into the air and spin. My weakest is my spins.

Do you have a favorite jump, spin and connecting move?
My favorite jump is triple toe, favorite spin is butterfly, favorite connecting move is fast back-outside 3-turns.

Who is your favorite skater and why?
My favorite skater is Elvis Stojko. He has fast moves and is a very strong skater and fun to watch.

Who has had the greatest impact on your skating?
My parents.

How have your parents influenced your skating?
Well when I was child, I liked skating a little bit but not enough to really go out there and make it happen. I kept on wanting to get off the ice and my dad kept me going and kicked me right back on. It was hard for me to do this but I got through it. This happened for many years until I was about 15, then my dad started to wear off. I grew to like the sport of skating, to go to the ice rink and practice every day and learn many new things on the ice. My parents have always been there for me when I needed the money to go practice, been there for competitions, ice shows and supported me through the years of this. There were times when I had to pay for my skating, but my account went down so fast that I had to start asking my parents for money again. I love to skate and will try to do it as long as I can.

What are some of your off ice hobbies?
Go camping, biking, build things, ride motorcycles, fix many different things.

What is it about skating that makes you love it so much?
Jumping into the air and spinning really fast, landing again and taking off for another jump. I really love skating for what you are able to do on the ice and how you move around on the ice. It's a really hard sport and I look forward to skating for a long time and, hopefully, will be able to find a sponsor so I can skate more often.