Ice skaters compete at MGM Grand

Oh, those pesky Olympic rules. Such a nuisance.

And so they'll have no rules when a contingent of ice skaters land their triple-axels in a competition at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.

Well, no rules except one: to be entertaining.

It's quite a collection of athletes, led by Joannie Rochette, who just won a bronze medal at the Vancouver Olympics, just days after her mother died of a heart attack.

The competition is called "Thin Ice," and it'll air live on ABC Friday and Sunday nights. The skating will happen on a 85-by-150-foot rink that has been built inside MGM Grand's Premier Ballroom.

The judges who will be rating the proceedings know from skating. Everyone comes bearing an Olympic gold medal.

Kristi Yamaguchi won the gold in 1992 (and, lest you forget, also won "Dancing with the Stars").

The other judges are each not just Olympic champs but two-time Olympic champs: Katarina Witt and Dick Button.

Yamaguchi says of "Thin Ice," "This is an avenue where the skaters can really freely express themselves and not worry about points they're trying to rack up to win. You'll see not only the top in skating, technically, but you'll see them do things you'd never see at the Olympics, whether that means back flips or, as a couple on the ice, just being able to play off each other and their characters and personalities."

They've matched them into five couples who have never skated together before. Rochette, though, will not be competing but performing a tribute to her mother.

Among the competitors are the likes of Stephane Lambiel, who came in fourth at the Vancouver Olympics; David Pelletier of Canada, 2002 Olympic Champion; and Shizuka Arakawa, 2006 Olympic Champion.

The show's executive producer Terry O'Neil says, "The surprising and striking thing for me is how competitive the skaters and serious the skaters are taking the event. When you say reality show, I think people think it's going to be a skate and a giggle, with a pro and celebrity or a pro and an amateur. What we've gathered instead are the greatest 10 pro skaters in the world."

The final results will be determined in equal parts by the judges' and viewers' votes.

Pro skaters have not had a place to compete in years. They've done exhibitions and toured, yes, but haven't compete. They're fired up to get that chance.

"If you thought you were coming to watch an exhibition or some old, retired pros who had given up their creative juices or competitive juices, be warned: they are coming to win and compete," O'Neil says. "It's not the money. There's very little difference between first and fifth ($60,000 and $30,000 per couple). ... It's an opportunity for athletes to get back in their mode."

"Thin Ice," tonight-Sunday, Premier Ballroom, MGM Grand at Foxwoods; shows at 6:30 tonight, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; televised live on ABC, from 8 to 9 p.m. Friday and 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday; $40-$100; 1-866-646-0609, mgmatfoxwoods.com.