What happened to Debi Thomas?

[Kadijah]

Growing up, I loved Debi Thomas. She was my favorite skater. I watch shows on TV all the time looking for her. But I never see her at competitions or anything. Whatever happened to Debi?

[peachstatesk8er]

I think she finally became an orthopaedic surgeon.

[Kadijah]

Wow! I had no idea. So I guess she doesn't have much time to skate anymore then! Where does she practice....does anyone know? Thanks for the info peachstatesk8r!:D

[Suzanne]

Funny you should mention Debi Thomas.

I saw an episode of American Gladiators that had her competing against Picaboo Street, the skier. They both did well, but Picaboo won that round.

I think the episode was from maybe ten years ago...?

[Spinner]

I believe she has children now too, but not sure how many. I saw her in January in LA at US nationals--she looked great! I always liked her too and of course miss seeing her skate. I don't think she skates any more though...

[Aussie Willy]

I loved Debi's skating. I particularly liked her SP from 88 Olympics and she had one of the funniest exhibitions of all time with her Wanda character - the really bad beginner skater in her tu-tu and chewing gum.

[missmarysgarden]

I will always remember Debi in her "infamous, illegal" unitard!! She looked absolutely stunning! Considering the growing number of "snuggies" we see, and the briefest of briefs, I think there is a strong case for unitards - she couldn't have looked lovelier.

[Alexeiskate]

Debi had the body and length to look good in a unitard. Not too many people do. I thought her Olympic short was better than Katerina's (loved that 2loop-3toe combination) and would have given her first place in that segment.

[Ellyn]

Debi had the body and length to look good in a unitard. Not too many people do.

True. I'd rather see the rules allow the skaters themselves decide what they think they look good in or what best expresses the theme of the program as long everything is covered that decency demands. Unitard, leggings, flesh-colored tights, dark tights, bare legs, with trunks and/or skirt, or shorts over them, or just long pants, should all be viable options and are certainly all seen in practice sessions.

I thought her Olympic short was better than Katerina's (loved that 2loop-3toe
combination) and would have given her first place in that segment.

Me too. Loved the concept and the footwork. IIRC it was 5-4 between Witt and Thomas in the Olympic SP and it went the other way at Worlds?

[manleywoman]

Originally posted by Aussie Willy
... and she had one of the funniest exhibitions of all time with her Wanda character - the really bad beginner skater in her tu-tu and chewing gum.

My absolute most favorite exhibition ever!

Anybody have that on tape willing to sell that to me?

[chattykathy]

IIRC-Debi Thomas was honored on the ice at US Nationals in Boston, the only way I remember is because it was the same year Dick Button fell on the ice in a rehersal. Or was that LA as in the post above?

She has alot to be proud of since leaving skating. And she looks as good as ever.

[Spinner]

Originally posted by chattykathy
Or was that LA as in the post above?

She wasn't honored in LA, so it must have been Boston.

[Badams]

thomas was the first akater whose name i knew! LOL! i can remember watching the olympics she was in and totally rooting for her. then i saw witt...

[gandalf]

Loved both Witt and Thomas' SPs in '88, although I'm pretty sure Witt won the SP in Budapest as well. I'll have to double check - there is no better way to procrastinate than to watch old skating tapes!

[Oreo]

I'm not sure of the year or event, but Debi was one of the judges. It might have been the World Professional Championships.

[Intensity20]

Debi is a full time surgeon and a mother these days... she did make a brief comeback to competitive skating in late 1996, though, competing in the FOX Rock and Roll Championships (she came last, skated to Tracy's "Give me one reason" and Tina's "Proud Mary" and was chacked by CBS) and the Euro equivalent of the Great Skate Debate, Rowenta Masters on Ice. She finished third/3 (judged by the audience) and apparently landed a nice 2axel.

[Ultrasuede]

Originally posted by Oreo
I'm not sure of the year or event, but Debi was one of the judges. It might have been the World Professional Championships.

Yes, it was World Pro, either `98 or `99.

[meli]

You know, one of the things that make me the proudest of Debi Thomas is the fact that when she started out at the elite level she said she wanted to be a surgeon and specialize in sports medicine. I always thought that eventually she would end up doing something else because of the demands of skating, if she chose to stay in school at all. She could have easily cashed in on the bronze medal, turned pro, tour extensively, and given up on college, and she chose not to. She actually did what she said she wanted to do all along and became an orthopedic surgeon. Very few people actually stick to goals like that all the way through.