Viktor changes moods with "Flight"

Viktor, with choreographer Patricia Wilcox and Broadway singer Brian Lane Green.

1992 Olympic Gold Medalist Viktor Petrenko loves music. And loves finding the perfect music to skate to.

On the 2002 Champions On Ice tour, Viktor kept the audiences laughing with "Who Let the Dogs Out," complete with a puppet dog. Viktor skated with the puppet the entire number, even performing jumps and spins with the dog.

This year, Viktor's mood is more meaningful. For the 2003 Champions On Ice tour, he has selected "Flight," a song performed by Broadway singer Brian Lane Green.

Viktor, who lives near New York in Connecticut and spends as much time going to Broadway plays as he can, was struck by the beauty of the music when he heard it. Broadway choreographer Patricia Wilcox helped him match the skating to the music, and a new program was born.

Viktor, who can change moods from number to number, is getting great response for this more serious, moving program. While he is skating to "Flight," the audience is silent, caught up in the moment of the skating and the music. That is just what Viktor was aiming for.

"I like to change things around," he said. "Last year, I was having fun with the dog. This year, I'm presenting a more serious side. I think you have to keep changing so that the audience is expecting something new from you each year."

Viktor recently had a chance to skate the number with Green in the audience. "It was such a great honor," Viktor said. "To skate, knowing Brian was watching, was a big thrill for me."

After Viktor wraps up the summer COI tour, he is looking forward to a long vacation. He will visit his homeland of Ukraine and spend time there with family and friends.

But he'll be back. He has no plans to retire soon. And that's good news for skating fans everywhere.

If you're looking for the CD of the music, it's entitled "Brian Lane Green" and is available through Barnes and Noble and other music outlets.