During the past two weeks, figure skaters at the Winter Olympics in Milan have been landing triple axels and quad lutzes as millions of viewers watched. A slight under-rotation or stumble could mean the difference between celebrating on the podium and going home empty-handed.
But at the University of Virginia, a growing community of students is nurturing their love for the sport without the elite-level pressure. Club Figure Skating at UVA’s membership has nearly tripled in the past four years, from around 15 students a few years ago to nearly 45 today. The club welcomes anyone, from complete beginners to lifelong skaters, and emphasizes support and enjoyment over cutthroat competition.
That welcoming culture drew Hemanth Saravanan to the ice. The third-year computer science and music major transferred to UVA from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and had been looking for a club to help him find his place on Grounds. Scrolling through a list of student organizations, he came across Club Figure Skating.
Hemanth Saravanan, a third-year computer science and music major at UVA, prepares to compete in his first figure skating competition at Case Western Reserve University at the end of February. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
With no prior ice-skating experience, he thought, “That sounds cool. I’ll join it.”
At his second practice in October 2024, Saravanan lost his balance and fell flat on his face, breaking his glasses and cutting his eyebrows. He was escorted off the ice and examined for a concussion.
“I remember I called my parents the day after, and they were freaking out,” he said. “They were like, ‘What are you doing? You shouldn’t be doing this sport anymore.’”
But Saravanan didn’t quit. The fall became a turning point. “After that fall, I was like, ‘You know what? It can’t get worse than that,’” he said.
A year and a half later, Saravanan now works with a private coach in Fairfax and is gearing up to compete for the first time at Case Western Reserve University at the end of February.
“Everyone in the club has been really supportive,” he said. “I always have people helping me improve and telling me what to work on next.”
[♪ “No One” by Ally and Aj ♪]
Co-presidents Mai Friedman and Elizabeth Chuang, competition chair Olivia Smith and social chair Allison Ip are among the experienced skaters on the team who have helped coach beginners like Saravanan. Smith even choreographed Saravanan’s upcoming program, helping him cut his music to the required 100 seconds and connecting his jumps, spins and footwork into a cohesive routine set to “Don’t Think Twice” by Hikaru Utada, a song Saravanan selected.
The club practices at SkateNation Plus in Richmond, about an hour from Grounds. While official team practices happen once or twice a month, members organize carpools for additional sessions throughout the week, especially leading up to competitions.
“Two weeks before competition, a lot of us start going every day,” Friedman said.
Olivia Smith
Olivia Smith, a third-year environmental science major, is Club Figure Skating at UVA’s competition chair. She has skated for 16 years and competed as a child. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
It’s not just beginners who find community in the club. Smith, a third-year environmental science major, has been skating for 16 years and competed throughout her childhood. When she arrived at UVA, she wasn’t sure she wanted to continue.
“Skating can be a really individual sport,” she said. “When you’re competing in high school, you’re representing yourself. It doesn’t feel like there’s a big team aspect.”
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