Local Look
Seeing where superstar figure skater Johnny Weir is today, it's hard to believe where he began. Born in rural Coatesville, Pa. skating was the furthest thing from the active boy's mind. Weir's fascination with skating began after watching Olympic champion Oksana Baiul on television. He first taught himself how to roller skate by practicing jumps in his basement. He then made the transition to ice after receiving skates for Christmas. He practiced on a frozen cornfield near his house. Not content with frozen corn stalks, his parents signed him up for group lessons at the University of Delaware. As his talent became more and more evident, his family made the decision to move from Coatesville to Newark, Del., in order to be closer to his coach and training rink.
