Colorado figure skater, Haley Gans, died tragically in a skiing accident this past Friday, November 20, 2009. She was fourteen years old.

Haley brought joy to everyone she touched. Her mother, Pat, told me once that when Haley competed in figure skating competitions, she felt she was competing with people, rather than against them. She passed hugs and smiles around every day, and she brought happiness to the ice skating world.

Many people in figure skating knew and loved Haley. Gans was hearing impaired, but that disability did not stop her from doing great things in skating and in life.

• My Memories of Haley Gans
• Remembering 14 Year Old Haley Gans, Killed In Skiing Accident
• 14-Year-Old Figure Skater Remembered as an Inspiration

_{Haley Gans - Gans Personal Photos}

In my lifetime, I've taught thousands of children to skate. I've also developed several ice skating games that have made figure skating fun. One of my favorite skating games to play with young children is "Bumper Cars." I invented the game!

• How to Play the Bumper Cars Ice Skating Game

_{Ice Skating Fun - Illustration Works/Getty Images}

Some people believe that spending time in a refrigerated ice rink delays the aging process.

Think about this: A cold refrigerator makes foods last longer, so perhaps a cold ice rink preserves our bodies!

Figure skaters do look young. Even if ice skating isn't a true "fountain of youth," spending time in an ice arena will definitely keep you fit.

• Figure Skating Will Keep You Young and Fit
• How to Become a Figure Skater
• Learn to Figure Skate
• Am I Too Old to Begin Figure Skating?

_{Ice Skating Is Like a "Fountain of Youth" - Photo by JO ANN Schneider Farris}

_{Figure Skaters Sinead Kerr and John Kerr of Great Britain Do an "Unusual" Ice Dance Lift! - Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images}

• Amusing Action Photos of Competitive Figure Skaters