2020 has been a tough year for figure skaters with the COVID-19 pandemic leading to rink closings and canceled competitions. For
Tomoki Hiwatashi,
Camden Pulkinen, and
Vincent Zhou, their close friendship has helped them cope with the season's challenges. It's a friendship developed over years of training at Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Hiwatashi, Pulkinen, and Zhou grew up together in figure skating. "We all knew each other from competitions," Hiwatashi said. By 2017, all three had moved from their respective hometowns to train in Colorado Springs.
"I think whenever you're in an environment with people at your level and around the same age, it's inevitable that it becomes your social circle," Zhou observed.
The three athletes were initially drawn together by skating and their shared training location. But these days, the boys don't actually talk about skating that much.
"Usually, we just joke around and have a good time," Zhou said.
"We talk shop sometimes, but most of the time, we just make jokes," Pulkinen agreed. "That's the core of our friendship--joking around."
"They're funny people," Zhou said of his training mates. "Especially Tomoki. I laugh harder at stuff that Tomoki says than anyone else."
"Tomoki's got jokes. Mad jokes," Pulkinen chimed in, laughing.
Humor helps soften the intensity of their training regime. "It provides relief from the demands of skating and the mental discipline that we need to have on the ice," Pulkinen reflected. "When you're being overly focused, it's nice to hear a joke from Tomoki or Vincent. You're like: 'Okay, I can smile. Let's keep it a little more lighthearted.'"
"Everybody's always super-committed to their training," Zhou said. "But without people there that you know--that you can laugh with--it's just not the same."
Andrew Torgashev, a fellow U.S. skater, was also part of their group, but recently relocated to southern California.
During the 2019-20 season, Zhou took some time away to attend Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and then train in Toronto with Lee Barkell and Mie Hamada. However, with the onset of the pandemic, he returned to Colorado.
"When I was away from Colorado Springs, I missed two things the most: The mountains, and my friends," Zhou said. "Honestly, I'm glad to be back."
In addition to joking around at the rink, the guys also get together outside the arena. "It's hard right now, with the pandemic," Zhou said. "But there have been plenty of times when we've had boys' Friday nights or Saturday nights."
They generally gather at each other's houses. "Since we're out all day at the rink, we prefer to just stay home after a long day of training," Pulkinen noted. Playing Nintendo and other video games is their favorite activity, with Hiwatashi typically selecting the games.
Aside from skating, the trio shares another interest: All hope for future careers in business or investment banking.
Pulkinen attends the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, where he majors in business, with an emphasis on finance. He mostly took online classes this semester. "I did have the option of taking classes in person. But I didn't want to risk anyone, or myself, catching the coronavirus," Pulkinen explained.
Hiwatashi is pursuing an associate's degree in business at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs. Afterward, he will transfer to another college to complete his bachelor's degree.
Zhou, meanwhile, is on leave from Brown. "I'm going to return after the 2022 Olympics, for the fall 2022 semester," he said. "I'm not sure what I'm going to major in, but I want to learn investment banking and business consulting." Zhou is currently doing an internship with a San Francisco-based startup company.
The three skaters are also busy preparing for the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Las Vegas. Like 2020 Guaranteed Rate Skate America, the U.S. Championships will take place in a competitive "bubble."
Pulkinen, Hiwatashi, and Zhou noted that competing in a bubble at Skate America® took some getting used to.
Hiwatashi said that their contact at Skate America® was limited. "We saw each other at the rink. We warmed up together and had the same locker room. But we weren't able to see each other at the hotel or anywhere outside the rink."
"The only place we were allowed was our hotel rooms, the rink and the walkway between those two," Zhou added. His 20th birthday happened during Skate America®, but there was little opportunity to celebrate. "I skated, and then I ate ramen, and I watched a movie. There was nothing else you could do."
"At the rink, it was kind of similar to a normal competition," Pulkinen said. "But I definitely was missing going to Tomoki's room and playing some video games after the competition. And just that wind-down and deep breath afterward."
But the trio are looking forward to the U.S. Championships.
"Obviously, this season is different due to the pandemic," said Pulkinen. "I think it's really forced us to stay very fluid and be comfortable with whatever we get. At this point, hopefully there's Nationals [U.S. Championships]. I'm hopeful for it. It came as a shock, that there would be zero competitions [this fall]. That took a toll on me."
"This whole year has been not knowing, and just accepting anything that comes our way," Zhou added.
In Las Vegas, the three friends will compete for medals and U.S. team slots. It's a familiar scenario--and one that doesn't faze them.
"If I were to lose a slot to someone, or fall short, I put that on myself," Pulkinen said. "Because, more than just being competitors, I think it's important to maintain those friendships. Honestly, this sport is really lonely. If I didn't have my fellow competitors with me, I probably wouldn't be able to make it. Yes, the medals and accomplishments mean so much, but I feel like friendships are what really lasts."
Zhou agreed. "If I don't do well and they do, it still makes me feel good. If Camden or Tomoki skate well, I get that feeling of internal happiness in watching people you know do good things."
"For me, friendship kind of takes over the competitiveness," Hiwatashi added. "It's not up to us to decide who's going to be at the top, or second, or third. If they do well, I'm happy. If I do well, I'm happy. For me, friendship takes over."
