Although Kurt did appear as a guest star partly through the 1994 US
tour, 1995 was Kurt's first year as a full-time member of the US cast.
1995 had some highly memorable group numbers. Five Minutes for Icing
highlighted some of the greatest footwork skaters of that era by
strapping microphones to their skates and setting them loose to one-up
each other on the ice, with the sounds of their blades on the ice
providing the main audio accompaniment for the number. The Rolling
Stones finale is frequently cited as one of people's favorite group
numbers ever in Stars on Ice, with the skaters having a great deal of
fun playing with the Mick Jagger persona. However, what Kurt fans
probably remember most about the 1995 tour - at least the Canadian one
- is what happened during retakes of the Toronto show. Microphone in
hand, Kurt was keeping the audience entertained while they set up for
retakes by taking questions from the audience. He got to a little
girl, who asked him "Are you married?" He skated away musing "Am I
married...", and then called for his then-girlfriend Sonia Rodriguez,
who was sitting in the audience, to stand up. Then, to the shock and
delight of the 16,000 fans in the arena (and probably Sonia herself),
Kurt dropped to one knee and proposed. After nodding her acceptance,
Sonia came down to rinkside for a kiss, and was whisked off backstage
by Kurt, who scooped her into his arms and skated off. Scott Hamilton
came out soon after, whooping in joy as he confirmed to the crowd that
Sonia had accepted. It was an utterly Kurt moment - unplanned and
spontaneous, yet totally heartfelt and genuine. And, thanks to the
fact that there were TV cameras in the arena for the CSOI broadcast,
it was a moment captured for all time.
1995 Stars on Ice Madison WI: The number: All Alone. Memories of 1994
still linger: Lillehammer, and a bad 1st season as pro. But, he landed
a HUGE Triple Axel during All Alone. People went crazy! It was a
preview of good things to come. Afterwards, met up with him at the
skaters hotel. Always gracious & funny. Thanks for the great skating
Kurt! - Sita Ismangil
Right after Stars on Ice at Maple Leafs Gardens, they were setting up
to do re-takes of some of the skaters for the TV show that was to be
broadcast later in the year. While Kurt was waiting, someone asked him
if he was married. He then pointed out Sonia and asked her if she
would married him in front of the entire audience that was still
there... And she said yes!!!
Then his Olympic moment last year running with the torch in
Mississauga with his son. That was so cute. And he is even in the
Torch Relay book of a picture of him with his son. - Suzanne Butchereit
I have been following figure skating faithfully since 1994. The first
time that I saw Kurt perform live was on February 14, 1995, in Kansas
City, Missouri. After seeing Kurt perform live for the first time, I
was hooked! Kurt skated to All Alone and Blues Berry Hill. No matter
what has gone in my life, one thing that has remained constant since
becoming a Kurt fan, is that no matter what kind of mood I am in, as
soon as I see Kurt skate, the world seems okay, if just for the few
minutes that he is on the ice. I have been chronically ill for over 10
years. Kurt's skating has gotten me through some pretty hard times. I
am so grateful that I had the opportunity to see Kurt perform live
several times. I have loved every routine that Kurt has performed! He
is in my opinion, the greatest skater that has ever graced the ice! A
few of my favorite routines of Kurt's are Brick House, Peace Frog,
Serenade to Sonia, Antares and Nyah. Every year I look forward to
seeing what new and exciting programs Kurt comes up with. I can
honestly say that my life would not be as bright without all of the
wonderful memories of seeing Kurt skate in Stars on Ice! - Michelle Sailler, Prairie Village, Kansas
