Page 111 of Ice Princesses
And just like that, I step back into the version of myself who belongs here.
On the broadcast, I keep my voice even.
“Argentina hasn’t had a men’s skater place at this level in consecutive competitions in decades,” I say, eyes on the monitor as the replay loops. “What stands out to me, John, isn’t just the technical content—though it’s there—but the way he recovers.”
John is looking at me and nodding in agreement. “And it’s evident that this kid knows how to recover after a mistake. He doesn’t disappear, he stays with the music. That’s maturity we don’t usually see at seventeen, Princess. I’m sure you agree.”
I do.
But I don’t look at him.
I keep my focus on the screen, on the edges of Rodrigo’s movement, on the precision that exists because someone put it there over and over again until it stopped being effort and simply became part of him.
Nina looks at me, then taps her wrist three times.
I continue, regardless, because this part matters. “Absolutely, John. This kind of skating doesn’t come from shortcuts.It comes from repetition and trust. And his coach, Cecilia Montenegro, has built that into him, and it is very evident in the scoring.”
The camera cuts to Rodrigo in the kiss-and-cry, still breathing hard, eyes bright and disbelieving. His coach stands just behind him, one hand lightly resting on his shoulder, not claiming the moment but grounding her athlete into the present.
I feel it in my chest. The way my heart beats a little faster.
The quiet pride that doesn’t belong to me.
And still?—
“I’ll say this,” John adds, leaning slightly closer to his mic. “There’s been a lot of conversation lately about development programs, Ascend being one of them?—”
I don’t hesitate.
“Programs don’t skate,” I interrupt, and it comes out smooth yet final. “Athletes do. And more importantly, coaches do. What you’re seeing here is the result of a very specific relationship—one that prioritizes trust, consistency, and long-term development.”
There’s a small beat.
John picks it up easily. This is not about me, or about what my dollars could do. This is about the skater and why he’s there, currently waiting for the scoring that could potentially place him in second place among the top skaters in the world.
“Fair enough,” he says. “And speaking of development—those blades were on fire tonight.”
I almost laugh, but I catch it, instead choosing to smile asI talk.
“They are,” I reply, allowing just enough of my amusement through. “He attacked the ice in a way that forces us to pay attention.”
“Fireblade, right?” John says, glancing at his notes with a grin. “I’ve been hearing that nickname floating around all week.”
There it is. I shake my head slightly, just enough for it to read as amused on camera. “We’ll see if it sticks. But if he keeps skating like this, he might not have a choice.”
The replay ends and the cameras are back on Cecilia and Rodrigo. From the corner of my eye, I can see them on the boards. She’s murmuring something in his ear and he’s laughing, head tipped back and eyes closed.
I let a beat pass before I finish it off. “This is a great foundation at such an early age. And it gives me much joy that he’s going to represent his country at our next Winter Olympic Games in a few months, John.”
“That quadruple Lutz was definitely a thing of beauty. I don’t think I’ve seen that live, ever,” John adds. I’ve seen it, of course, at my rink, probably more times than I can count. But here, on competition ice and with the stakes so high, it’s still awe-inspiring. How he skates with so much joy and fulfillment. “Absolutely spectacular.”
I nod, already shifting back into stillness. Back into control.
Nina looks at me with a pleased smile and starts removing her headset, getting ready for the next thing on the schedule while the ice is reset for the next event.
Back into?—
“And I hear congratulations might be in order.”
