Meet Matthew Mason:
2006 Gay Games Champion

Recently, Sydney skater Matthew Mason, returned truimphant with two medals from the Gay Games in Chicago, U.S.A. Earning gold and bronze, Matthew's victories were particularly impressive for the simple reason that barely four years ago, he had put blade to ice only twice before in his life.

Learn some more about this gracious champion.

aussieSKATES:
Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Matthew Mason:
I have always loved watching figure skating competitions and events on TV. I grew up in Dubbo where there are no ice rinks however, so I never had the chance to skate on ice as a child. My younger brother and I were right into the roller skating craze at the time though so we used to skate every weekend at the showground or just around the house in old strap on skates.

I've worked for QANTAS as an international flight attendant for the last 12 years based in Sydney. I love my job and the places it has allowed me to experience, but you've got to have some sort of outlet in this line of work to stay sane (and fit). I used to swim laps regularly and go to the gym, but it's difficult to keep a regular routine when your always packing your bag to fly off somewhere. So over time my general fitness was dropping and that's when I discovered figure skating.

aussieSKATES:
How did you get into the sport?

Matthew Mason:
In late 2002 Sydney was host to the 6th Gay Games. My partner Michael and I went to watch the figure skating competition over 2 days. It was the first time I had seen skating at a live event so I wasn't sure what to expect. Anyway, the first few skaters were obviously beginners as each group was competing in their skill level, but the crowd just loved them. I have never seen such a supportive audience before, if anything I think they enjoyed the performances from the beginners more than the higher level skaters, I think they really appreciated just how difficult this sport is and how much effort they were putting into their programmes. By the end of the first day of competition I turned to Michael and said "I'm going in the next games".

The following Saturday before the Games had even finished, I took my first ice skating lesson at Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink. I needed some encouragement to get there however. I had always thought I was too old to take up skating and I was umming and aghing about going when my partner Michael said to just go and give it a try..he said I'd regret it if I never tried and waited till I was even older before I plucked up the courage to go.

aussieSKATES:
Where do you train?

Matthew Mason:
I train regularly now at Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink and once or twice a week I skate at Macquarie Ice rink as well. I have a friend Victoria who coaches there so it gives us a chance to catch up and practice our spins and jumps together.

aussieSKATES:
What level are you training?

I have tested up to Elementary 2 pattern. I am currently working on my axel to pass the Elementary 2 freeskate. It's getting better all the time but it's been a long process.

aussieSKATES:
Do you have a coach?

Matthew Mason:
I started in the Aussie skate programme and was later encouraged to take private lessons. I chose Kathy Anthony as my coach as she was encouraging skaters in my group to focus on their body position, weight distribution and getting the basics right and building from there. They were all important things to me as I wanted to be the best I could be for the up and coming Games in Chicago. I think we work well together. I certainly couldn't have accomplished what I have so far without her.

aussieSKATES:
Do you have any skating idols? If so, who and why?

Matthew Mason:
My No. 1 idol would have to be John Curry. He was British and Olympic champion in the mid 70s. I have several of his routines on video and I just love his classical balletic style of skating, beautiful line and body awareness. Every move or arm position he made was for a purpose, he didn't just skate around and set up his next jump. The first time I saw him do a camel spin I thought 'How slow is that!'. But, now I realise how much control he was using to maintain the spin for so long and in a perfect centred position. It doesn't always have to be about speed, there's a beauty in something that's controlled and sustained, you can enjoy it and appreciate what they're doing before they skate off to the next bit. I don't think you see that these days, especially with the new scoring system, it seems they have to fit so much in that it's all over in a second and their onto the next thing.

aussieSKATES:
How would you describe your skating style (classical, modern)?

Matthew Mason:
I would describe my style as classical. I took some ballet classes for a couple of years whenever I was in New York on a trip. I have long arms so I'm very conscious of what position their in when I skate, so I thought the ballet would help with my posture and line. I don't like watching myself on video but people say my style is very graceful and elegant.

aussieSKATES:
What skills are you working on at the moment?

Matthew Mason:
Apart from my axel I'm working on my combination spins, flying camel, change sit spin, back scratch (not a favourite of mine), as well as my double salchow and loop. My favourite element is the Ina Bauer and I have perfected it in one direction (right foot leading), so my goal now is to train up the other side..same for my spread eagle. Now that the pressure's off for the Games I think I might start some dance as well for my edge control and body position.

aussieSKATES:
What is your proudest achievement, skill-wise and overall?

Matthew Mason:
Obviously winning the Gold medal at the Gay Games in July would have to be my proudest achievement..My biggest hurdle has been conquering my nerves in competition. I am also quite vague at times so I really have to concentrate when I'm competing so my mind doesn't wander off when I should be focusing on what I'm doing at that moment. My coach suggested I get an MP3 player and visualise skating a perfect routine before each competition during my warm up... It has certainly made a big difference, and the Gold medal is proof of that.

aussieSKATES:
What music have you skated to, and would like to skate to in the future?

Matthew Mason:
My musical choices have been mostly graceful, classical pieces so far. My first ever programme was Josh Groban's "To Where You Are", as well as "Out Here On My Own", "Gallipoli", "The Mission", and Shirley Bassey "This is My Life". I got the bronze medal for that one at Chicago. I'd love to skate to "Scheherazade", John Curry used to skate an exhibition piece to that music so I'd make it a tribute to him I think.

aussieSKATES:
I’m sure skating at the recent games must have been not only liberating, but quite an emotional experience. Please feel free to describe what it was like to perform for such a supportive audience.

Matthew Mason:
After almost 4 years of preparation and anticipation it was a huge thrill to finally be there in Chicago seeing my dream come to fruition. I skated to Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful" which I dedicated to my partner of 12 years, Michael. He knew I was skating for him but I kept the music a secret from him so it would be a surprise on the day. I was so happy with the way I skated that the Gold medal was really the icing on the cake. Needless to say there were plenty of tears.. mostly mine! The audience were everything I expected, they were so appreciative of the efforts they were seeing on the ice..they applauded everything!!

Leading up to the event I was quite daunted by the idea of skating in front of a huge "gay" audience, but on the day I wasn't concerned at all. If I'd gone out and done a double buttocks they would have cheered me on all the same. The second day I skated my Shirley Bassey piece, and while I felt more relaxed after the high of the day before I was completely exhausted. I only got about 4 hours sleep before I had to be up and get to the rink for my official warm up in the morning before the competition in the afternoon.

All Gold medallists were invited to skate in the Exhibition show on the third night, so I skated my Joe Cocker piece in my Shirley Bassey costume. This costume is a work of art! It was my design and made by Gayle Hemmert, one of the mothers at the rink. It's a black crushed velvet unitard covered in paisley swirls and Swarovsky crystals in red, white and blue. Gayle did a fantastic job. It fits perfectly and looked stunning under the spotlights at the show. Overall it was an overwhelming experience.

aussieSKATES:
Were there any other standout performances at the games that proved inspiring?

Matthew Mason:
I was amazed to see all these gay men with great spirals! Obviously I'm not the only one working on their flexibility. Two stand outs for me were Bradley Erickson doing a dance routine with his mother! and Edward Vancampen who skated a tribute to his late twin brother. It was very moving and most of the audience were in tears.

aussieSKATES:
No doubt you must be following Torvill & Dean’s Dancing on Ice. It’s quite amazing to see non-skaters improve by leaps and bounds from week to week. Do you have any tips for our adult fans out there who are thinking of starting skating?

Matthew Mason:
My advice is just do it! You don't have to skate every day to get something out of this sport. Don't give up on your first day. Don't be afraid to fall over every now and then, and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get it right first time. I can remember learning the loop jump, thinking "I'll never get this bloody thing", but slowly it got better bit by bit, you just have to keep working at it. I used to hate that jump but now, when I get it right it feels great. Most of all have FUN! and have a laugh.

aussieSKATES:
What competitions will you be skating in next?

Matthew Mason:
I'll probably skate in MIRA the artistic competition at Macquarie Ice Rink, but after that I don't know. The next Gay Games are in Cologne Germany in 4 years so I'll definitely be there..hopefully I won't be the only Australian there this time... so if you're thinking about it, get skating!

aussieSKATES:
Thanks again, Matthew, and please keep us up to date with your progress.

Here is a recent article about Matthew's success from the Sydney Star Observer.