Season Two of Blind Landing goes deep inside the world of figure skating. This intimate anthology gets up close and personal with some of the biggest names in the sport, including Kristi Yamaguchi, Tai Babilonia and Adam Rippon. Through exclusive interviews, immersive sound design and unearthed archival tape, the second season features three stories about skaters who dared to challenge the norms and confines of their times.
The season was comprised of three stories – Out On The Ice (three episodes), Mabel Fairbanks: Beyond The Edge (one episode) and Kristi Yamaguchi: Asian American Idol (one episode).
We also took time to revisit the world of gymnastics for two special episodes: an episode about gymnast Illia Kovtun and his experience during the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, and an episode about the 2022 world champion, Rebeca Andrade, and her improbable comeback from injuries.
OUT ON THE ICE (THREE EPISODES)
To kick-off season two, we’ve put together a deep dive on the history of queer figure skaters, unpacking the stereotypes around men in skating and talking with LGBTQ+ athletes from across generations about a culture of fear going back decades. Reported and produced by Ari Saperstein and Chris Schleicher.
OUT ON THE ICE: PART ONE | Transcript
From the outside, figure skating might look like a queer haven, a space where LGBTQ+ athletes can be out and open… but inside of the sport? That couldn’t be farther from the reality.
CREDITS
HOST/REPORTERS: Ari Saperstein, Chris Schleicher
EDITOR: Ari Saperstein
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Zach Molino
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE FROM: Jenna Levin, Noah Camuso, Ellen Weiss
OUT ON THE ICE: PART TWO | Transcript
For decades, skaters have been pushed to play into narrow gender stereotypes on and off the ice, leaving LGBTQ+ athletes feeling like being themselves wasn’t an option –– but not everyone was going to stay silent.
CREDITS
HOST/REPORTERS: Ari Saperstein, Chris Schleicher
EDITOR: Ari Saperstein
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Zach Molino
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE FROM: Jenna Levin, Noah Camuso, Ellen Weiss
OUT ON THE ICE: PART THREE | Transcript
“Out On The Ice” concludes with the story of Adam Rippon, the first out skater to represent the US at the Olympics, and a new generation of queer skaters determined to change the culture of their sport.
CREDITS
HOST/REPORTERS: Ari Saperstein, Chris Schleicher
EDITOR: Ari Saperstein
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Zach Molino
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE FROM: Jenna Levin, Noah Camuso, Ellen Weiss
MABEL FAIRBANKS: BEYOND THE EDGE
Mabel Fairbanks changed figure skating forever. As a Black figure skater in the 1940s, Mabel made a name for herself skating in ice shows all over the world — but was barred from entering competitions because of the color of her skin. Mabel made it her life’s mission to get Black skaters into the sport and to reach the highest peaks. Using excerpts of interviews with Mabel never before heard by the public, we’re bringing you not just the story of Mabel Fairbanks, but Mabel herself — her voice, in her own words.
CREDITS
REPORTER: Donelle Wedderburn
HOST/EDITOR: Ari Saperstein
PRODUCERS: Jenna Levin, Ari Saperstein, Donelle Wedderburn
STORY CONSULTANTS: Tracie Hunte, KalaLea
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE FROM: Alex Jhamb Burns, Zach Molino
ADDITIONAL AUDIO ENGINEERING: Jesse Perlstein
UKRAINIAN GYMNAST ILLIA KOVTUN & THE PHOTO SEEN AROUND THE WORLD (SPECIAL)
On this special episode of Blind Landing, we’re stepping away from figure skating and going back to the world of gymnastics to bring you Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun. Illia tells us about what it’s been like to compete during the invasion of Ukraine and the story of how politics found it’s way onto the competition floor.
CREDITS
REPORTER/EDITOR: Ari Saperstein
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE FROM: Jessica Taylor Price, Anna Mayer, Ellen Weiss, Lauren Phipps, Luba Balajeyeva, Andres Salazar
VOICE ACTOR: Noah Camuso
KRISTI YAMAGUCHI: ASIAN AMERICAN IDOL
For many Asian Americans, seeing Kristi Yamaguchi win the gold in women’s figure skating at the 1992 Olympics was everything. She was more than a famous athlete — she was one of the few Asian Americans on TV, period. Yet for Kristi, the polished, glamorous image that we all saw was very different from her experience on the inside. From her choice to skate solo to seeking endorsements in an anti-Asian climate, reporter Stefanie Ritoper looks at the moments that almost stopped Kristi from becoming the Kristi Yamaguchi that we all know.
CREDITS
HOST/REPORTER: Stefanie Ritoper
PRODUCERS: Meghan Coyle, Stefanie Ritoper, Ari Saperstein
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS: Zachary Molino, Anna Mayer
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE FROM: Christian Green, Gena Hamamoto, Veena Hampapur, Lisa Phu and Preeti Sharma
THE IMPROBABLE COMEBACK OF REBECA ANDRADE (SPECIAL)
On this special episode of Blind Landing, we’re stepping away from figure skating and going back to the world of gymnastics to bring you the story of Rebeca Andrade and her decade-long journey to be do the impossible: comeback from three ACL tears to become the gymnastics world champion and one of the greatest gymnasts of all time
CREDITS
HOST/REPORTER: Maddie Bender & Ari Saperstein
PRODUCERS: Diana Opong & Stefanie Ritoper
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