NEW PALTZ � Skating to the music of "Swan Lake," Olympic figure skating gold medalist Oksana Baiul performed in the skating pavilion located at the Mohonk Mountain House Resort in New Paltz on Friday, January 29. Opening the evening's ice show with the routine that won her the gold in the 1994 Olympics at Lillehammer at the age of 16, her performance was part of the "Mohonk on Ice" weekend with ensemble pieces performed by the Boundless Edge Skating School. In the bitter cold, unique choreography by the skating school included pieces such as a Celtic number entitled, "Celtic Techno," and a delicate flowing piece entitled "Flight," which delighted many. Over the weekend, Baiul coached avid skaters in an informal group-instruction, followed by a reception where she spoke with fans and signed autographs.

"I've been skating since I was three years old," said Baiul while speaking to the crowd that evening, who said she developed a love of skating ever since her grandfather bought her first pair of skates. "This is my life; my work; I will never stop."

Baiul started competing in her native Ukraine at the age of seven. No stranger to adversity in life, her parents separated when she was just two and she lived with her mother and grandmother until she was 13, when her mother died of cancer and her grandmother passed soon after. She prevailed in the skating world, winning the hearts of many at Lillehammer.

Asked about her inspiration for performing such beautiful ice skating routines, she stated, "I like to travel and see other cultures, so I get my inspiration from people and their lives�I truly love you all so much," she said to the excited crowd.

Baiul closed the show with a piece from her latest venture, "Cold as Ice," a skating musical on ice created by Frank D'Agostino that she has been working on for three years. The show is an exhilarating musical concert on ice, telling the story of six Olympic hopeful skaters as they vie for medals revealing their struggles of heartache and joy for a glimpse into the world of competitive figure skating. Baiul actually sang the vocals of the song she performed. "I never sang before, but I try my best," she said.

Indeed, it seemed as though her hard work has paid off, as the New York Times commented on her performance in "Cold as Ice," stating that "she nailed it."

"My dream is to make this show happen," said Baiul, a sparkle in her eye. D'Agostino and Baiul are working hard to bring the show to Broadway in 2010.

Next up for Baiul will be to return to New Jersey to train with Olympic Coach Nikolai Morozov. Baiul is also busy producing and managing other skaters as well. "I really like to help other skaters," she said modestly, a broad grin on her face.