By Aviva M. Cantor
Since 1995, the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships has been the premier competition for adult skaters in the United States. The event has seen many changes over the years, including a boost in technical caliber. In 2021, one competitor went where no adult skater had gone before, performing a record-setting number of triple jumps.
“I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish, but I certainly didn’t set out to break records or achieve a placement,” said Michael Solonoski, who in his Adult Championships debut made history with his free skate to “Send in the Clowns.” The performance included six triple jumps, with five of the six performed successfully and with a positive grade of execution.
“I truly just wanted to challenge myself and see what I was capable of doing,” Solonoski said, and with a score of 91.62, the championship masters junior-senior men’s champion achieved the highest score ever at the event. “As for making history, I am completely flattered and I feel very lucky that I have been in good health and able to accomplish what I did at this age. If it inspires other skaters, whether it be my students, other adults or some of my contemporary professional skaters, then I am even more pleased.”
Starting at age 15, Solonoski may be seen as a late bloomer in the sport, but he swiftly made a name for himself. As a teen, Solonoski won the bronze medal as an intermediate competitor at the 2001 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships.
“I had an incredible drive to learn and improve and I progressed very quickly,” he said.
While attending Drexel University for a six-year architecture program, he medaled four times at the U.S. Collegiate Figure Skating Championships and had the opportunity to represent the United States internationally.
Solonoski qualified for the championship event at the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships®, which was full of Olympic season buzz.
“That event was my last competition. I felt very satisfied with my performance there and with how my career came to a close,” he said. “I would soon go on to a professional skating career that I absolutely loved.”
After performing in Europe with Holiday on Ice, Solonoski joined Robin Cousins’ theatre production in the United Kingdom.
“It was installed in gorgeous, historic theaters. I got to sing live every night while skating, which was truly special for me,” Solonoski said, who also sang the vocals for his program at the 2021 Adult Championships.
In 2016, Solonoski returned from Europe and settled down in Philadelphia, where he coaches at IceWorks Skating Club alongside one of his former coaches, Jeff DiGregorio.
“What I enjoy most about teaching is passing the knowledge I’ve gained from a long career as well as my love of skating to a younger generation,” Solonoski said.
The spirit of the Adult Championships is rooted in longevity, and within the Adult Skating Committee’s vision, it is noted that the ultimate success in adult figure skating is continuing to be able to skate for life. Solonoski not only embodies a lifelong love of skating, but hopes to share it with others.
“There is a wonderful feeling of satisfaction when you see a skater achieve their goals or learn something new,” he said. “My goal is to help my students become the best skaters they can be, and to instill a lifelong passion for the sport.”
Though 2021 was his Adult Championships premiere, Solonoski made an impact which was noted by many in the skating community, including six-time championship masters junior-senior men’s champion, Larry Holliday. In 2002, Holliday made history as the first person to perform a triple jump at the Adult Championships. At age 37, his triple Salchow-double toe loop combination set the bar high, paving the way for others.
“The skating just continues to get massively better every year,” Holliday, who has competed at the Adult Championships 12 times, said. “Adults finally are getting respect from the skating community because you can see how much they love the sport. I appreciate those who continue for many years, like Davin Grindstaff. I only wish that more competitors from the past would come back to compete and add more technical skills. Michael Solonoski is wonderfully talented and I hope he continues for years to come!”
So what’s next for the record-breaking Solonoski?
“I love the idea of competing again next year and hopefully I’ll be able to do so,” he said. “I love the process of training perhaps even more than the competition itself. There are many athletes in other sports who continue to improve and excel in their mid-30s. While skating is very different from tennis or golf, there’s no reason why one can’t still skate while they’re physically able. I still love the feeling of being an athlete and skating is the sport I chose for life.”
