By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
February 2, 2010
Apolo Anton Ohno will be competing in his third Olympic Games this month. The short-track speed-skating champ already has five Olympic medals, two of them gold.
Ohno also showed his dexterity on the dance floor by winning the mirror ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” three years ago.
As for the sport that made him famous, Ohno, 27, says, “I’m just enjoying my sport and taking it day by day. Anything can happen in short track and I’m blessed that I still have the talent to skate competitively and the desire to want to represent my country.”
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I love Japan. It’s beautiful, especially on the outskirts of old Japan. Italy is always a great experience. But for some reason, I always have the best times in Seattle and Washington. So I would say that Washington State is my favorite spot. If I can’t get away from Seattle, then I’ll go to Alki Beach because it’s just so unbelievably beautiful. You have a fantastic view of the city and, in the distance, some mountains as well. Seattle is incomparable. In the summer, it’s the most beautiful place in the world. People think that everyone from Seattle is into rock climbing, that all the residents are tree huggers and that it rains all the time, which I don’t agree with at all. I prefer to think of it as us earning our summers. I know that when it’s time to settle down, I will return to Seattle and have at least one house there. There’s nothing about it I don’t enjoy.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. I currently reside in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Park City is only 30 minutes from where I live. Although so close, it (Park City) has a totally different feel and vibe. It’s like I am someplace else entirely. I’m going to be honest here; I’m a spa freak, probably because I spend most of my day flogging myself during training. I welcome the relaxation and calming aspect of the spa and Park City has many.
My father also used to take me to Moclips, which is about 140 miles southwest of Seattle in the Pacific Beach area. It’s absolutely gorgeous and I love going there. It’ll rain the entire time you’re there, but I’ve been going there for years because it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. I feel at peace with myself and feel like I’ve added five years onto my life each time I visit. I really like Browns Point (Washington). I like to stay active but I don’t always hit the gym when I’m away on vacation, especially if it’s at the end of the season. There’s nothing better than going for an easy jog at the beach and listening to the water. It’s almost spiritual.
Q. What are your favorite hotels and restaurants?
A. Some of my favorites in Salt Lake City are Cucina Toscana (www.cucina-toscana.com). If you know (owner) Valter (Nassi), there is no need for a menu. Just sit back and let them run the show until you are nice and full. Any Vietnamese restaurant; I love Asian food. La Caille (www.lacaille.com) for brunch. The grounds are so beautiful. Kyoto is my favorite for sushi. I also like So Cupcake (www.socupcake.com). I shouldn’t go there, but they are delicious. The Ocean Crest Resort in Moclips (www.oceancrestresort.com) has a great restaurant. Whenever I go there, I have to have the spinach salad and Grandma’s Famous Clam Chowder. It’s fantastic. Unbelievable! The Iron Springs Resort (http://ironspringsresort.tripod.com/) is also good. Seattleites are very picky about their food. Being so close to Alaska, there’s great access to seafood. So you have to eat the fresh sushi and sashimi in Seattle. When I’m training, I’m pretty boring in the diet — a lot of protein, carbs and veggies and maybe a little bit of fruit; but when I’m really focused, no sweets, just pure fuel.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. A music player, running shoes, hand sanitizer, 8 Zone nutritional supplements and DayQuil and NyQuil. There’s nothing worse than a long travel day and you catch the bug and you can’t sleep. Your focus is off for the next few days. Ideally, I’d love to bring my dad. Unfortunately, he can’t travel with me as much as I would like. I love to spend time with him.
Q. What is your best or worst vacation memory?
A. I didn’t really think of it as a vacation at the time. When I was a kid, my father left me at a cabin in Iron Springs outside of Seattle to get my head together. At that time, I resented it, but as I spent more time there I grew to love and respect it.
Q. How do you try to fit in when you’re a tourist?
A. I just go for it. Japan’s one of the few places where I turn into a total tourist, taking pictures of everything. I wish I spoke more Japanese. My dad’s fluent. I’m more of a point-and-gesture guy when I’m there.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WASHINGTON:
Population: 6,395,798.
FACTOID: Washington is named for George Washington, and is the only U.S. state named for a president.
CAPITAL: Olympia.
SEATTLE IS FAMOUS FOR: It’s the largest city in the Pacific Northwest and the birthplace of grunge music, Starbucks and Seattle’s Best Coffee.
© 2010 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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