U.S. Champion to skate at Ice Den

Professional figure skater Ryan Bradley left the ice in 2011 on his own terms — with a U.S. Figure Skating Championship gold medal in hand.

The physical wear and tear of the sport nearly ended his career short.

Leading up to the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010, Bradley, 29, was considered a veteran in the twilight years of his career. He finished fourth at the U.S. Championships that season, just missing out on the Olympics — the top three men made the U.S. Olympic team.

Later that spring at the World Championships in Torino, Italy, he injured a foot and finished in 18th place.

He was ready to hang up the skates and let his body heal.

“At the time I was the oldest skater on the U.S. team,” Bradley told the Pilot in a recent interview. “Training is hard on your body. I made that push for the Olympic team, then was ready to retire.”

Following a short break in 2011, he decided he wasn’t finished with the sport he’s dedicated most of his life to.

A dominating short program at the U.S. Championships that year — including a quadruple jump — vaulted him to the top spot as the overnight leader. He did just enough the next day in the free skate to secure the national title.

“I got hot at the right time,” Bradley said about his final run to the top of the podium. “It’s a very nice feeling to be able to retire as a champion, to go out on my terms.

“It also opens a lot of doors when you win a title.”

Life has been good to Bradley since retiring from competitve skating.

He now travels the world, performs on cruise ships, hosts ice camps and seminars and was recently asked to join the prestigious Stars On Ice cast.

“It’s a lot of fun performing for a living,” he said. “And I love working with the kids.”

This December Bradley will visit Whitefish for two days. A clinic for local figure skaters is set for Dec. 14 at the Stumptown Ice Den. He will perform two solo routines later that evening during the Sugar, Spice, Glitter and Ice holiday show set for 7 p.m. He will also take on private lessons while in town.

It will be the second time Bradley has visited the Ice Den.

“I’m really excited about it,” Bradley said. “Last time I was only here 24 hours. I didn’t get to spend enough time on the ice with the kids.”

“When I was pretty young my coach brought in some top skaters and I remember thinking that was the coolest thing,” Bradley said. “If I can be that motivation to others, that’s great. It’s important to give back a little bit.”

His solo performances at the Whitefish show will include some new routines.

“I’ve got some fun programs for the holidays and a new show to debut in Whitefish,” Bradley said.

This season he hopes to work in a few big tricks.

“Maybe we’ll see a quad, definitely a triple.”