Ryan Bradley
U.S. Champion
Biography
Ryan Bradley thought his competitive skating career had come to a close back in March, 2010 when an injured foot landed him in 18th place at the World Championships in Torino, Italy. A longtime competitor and a natural showman, Ryan decided maybe it was time to entertain audiences instead of judges.
So he took some time off from competitive training, performed in several shows around the country and overall, he felt pretty good.
But inside, he knew he wasn’t finished. Not yet.
He didn’t reach his ultimate goal of competing in the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, finishing fourth at the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships --- the top three men made the U.S. Olympic team --- but that didn’t mean he was finished.
His fans encouraged him to continue competing, too, sending him emails and messages on Twitter on Facebook pleading with him to give his competitive skating career one more shot.
Eventually, he decided to come back.
And, man, is he ever happy he did.
When he arrived at the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro, N.C., many were surprised by his presence. Once he started skating, however, he provided more surprises. His short program was dominating, including an incredible quadruple jump and he became the overnight leader. Ryan wasn’t nearly as sharp in the free skate, but scored enough points to secure his first U.S. title in 11 trips to the national championships.
"I need to go home and make sure this really happened,’’ Ryan said after his victory. “We were on the podium with our flowers and I thought, `I don't think you can smell in dreams.’ So I smelled the flowers to make sure I was awake."
Since his retirement from competitive skating in March, 2012, Ryan can be found entertaining vacationers in skating shows aboard the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas cruise ship. “I really enjoy the lifestyle,” says Ryan. “The small rink makes it really personal. You can look into their eyes; it’s like they’re all sitting in the front row. It was very appealing to me.”
From the sound of things, Ryan’s act is pretty appealing to the audiences. “My act is kind of a spoof: lots of quick changes and props,” Ryan says. “From the first five seconds, I hear the audience laughing, and that makes me relax and really get into the program.”
Ever the consummate entertainer, Ryan recently realized a lifelong dream as he was invited to join the Stars on Ice cast, and tour the United States. This year will mark Ryan’s second year touring with Stars on Ice.
Though no longer competing, Ryan’s schedule is far from relaxed. Following a couple of shows in Sun Valley, he headed off to participate in the “Grassroots to Champions” camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. The rest of his schedule is rounded out with NBC televised Disson Skating specials, teaching seminars and giving back to the sport he so dearly loves through the mentoring of young skaters.
"I am looking forward to staying involved in the sport of figure skating," he said. "I want to use my knowledge and passion to keep the sport moving in the right direction."
