Tonya Harding Returns to the Ice After 30 Years

Tonya Harding, once a controversial figure in sports, is making a comeback to the ice more than 30 years after her career was impacted by the Nancy Kerrigan scandal. Harding, who is 55, has been training twice a week in Vancouver, Washington, for an upcoming public skating show. The show, titled 'Tonya and Friends,' is scheduled to take place on December 12 at Mountain View Ice Arena. Harding expressed that her enduring love for skating is the driving force behind her return. She is working with her former coach and utilizing training equipment to rebuild her skills, even though she is permanently banned from competitive figure skating. Her journey into the spotlight began with her historic triple axel achievement in 1991. However, this was overshadowed by the 1994 attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan, an event orchestrated by Harding's ex-husband and former bodyguard. While Harding denied planning the attack, she pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution, leading to her US national title being revoked and a lifetime ban from the US Figure Skating Association. Following her competitive career, Harding pursued other endeavors, including professional boxing and television appearances, finishing third on 'Dancing with the Stars' in 2018 and winning 'Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition' the following year. She has also focused on family life with her husband and son, and previously worked as a custodian.