French exile

Victoria Sun

Thursday, May 31, 2001 | 11:09 a.m.

Surya Bonaly didn't want to give up her amateur status to turn professional in 1998.

Not when the petite figure skater hadn't even earned a medal in the Winter Olympics -- her best finish was fourth in 1994.

But after the French federation deemed her too old to compete on the national team, it excluded her in 1997 and 1998, and she was left with little choice.

"Because I was about 24, my team didn't pick me anymore, said we need some young ones," Bonaly said with a French accent. "Two times in a row they didn't send me and I could've earned a medal.

"After that, I decided I'm not going to wait. The professional world wanted me for a long time so I did it. Since 1998, they haven't even had a new skater who is good, so I think they made the wrong choice."

Bonaly giggled at her own assessment of how the French team lost one of its best skaters, but she was well within her rights.

She is arguably the best female figure skater the country has ever produced and has shown that she doesn't need its support to succeed.

The 27-year-old moved to Marlboro, Mass., to train in 1997 before relocating to Las Vegas 2 1/2 years later.

"I fell in love with this place," Bonaly said before practicing at the Las Vegas Ice Garden. "I like the rink, it's quiet.

"It's open for me to go all the time. I really love the weather. I hated to plow through snow and this and that. And to be stuck at the airport because I couldn't take off during the snow storms. Here, is good."

Since turning pro, the five-time European champion and two-time winner of the Goodwill Games has skated on the Champions On Ice Tour, and competed at the Grand Slam, Ice Wars and World Professional Figure Skating Championships.

Typically the ice skating season is from September until May, so Bonaly keeps in shape by giving clinics and performing in shows.

Next weekend Bonaly will travel to Kuwait to skate at the grand opening of an ice rink and has more exhibitions scheduled all over the world.

When at home, Bonaly trains with her mother, Suzanne, at the Ice Garden and sometimes at the ice rink at the Sport Park near their home in Summerlin.

From July 16-20, Bonaly will be one of the instructors at the Las Vegas Star Camp, which is open to all figure skaters at the Ice Garden.

"I'm trying to go everywhere and do all the shows as (much as) possible," she said. "I'll keep touring as long as I'm in shape and I still have the will to do it.

"So far, I haven't settled down or gotten married or anything so I enjoy being on the road."

Known for her powerful build (Bonaly's first sport was gymnastics), Bonaly shed some of her muscles in the years after she tore her right Achilles' tendon in 1997, and has honed her other skills.

"I don't think now people can say that I look like a gymnast and that's all," Bonaly said. "That's all they used to say a long time ago.

"I can do a lot of artistry and be very graceful or I can be powerful so for me, it's good because I'm strong in different things. Some people are good at jumping and some people just do graceful things and can't jump.

"I think when you have the ability to jump and do all the technical stuff, it's easier to work on the easy stuff, to be nice and cute and pretty. But I prefer to be this way than to be just nice and to do some jumps and never make them."

More than anything, Bonaly wishes she could have one more shot at a gold medal.

Professional figure skaters were allowed to compete in the 1994 Olympics, but not after.

Bonaly and Suzanne voiced their displeasure at the rule because other professional athletes, including NBA players and NHL players, are still allowed to compete in the Olympics.

At her final Olympics in 1998, she finished in a respectable 10th place just six months after she injured herself, and doctors advised her to find a new profession.

"I was not supposed to skate again," she said. "My first goal was just to participate in that Olympics.

"I'm not allowed anymore at the Olympics. It's a pity because I know I have the level and ability to do it."