Bode Miller, Kristi Leskinen compete in ABC primetime on 'The Superstars'

June 23, 1:23 PMSkiing ExaminerEric Wagnon

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Along with teammate Paige Hemmis of ABC's "Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition," alpine ski racer Bode Miller will
appear in "The Superstars" on ABC during the summer.
 Photo: Adam Larkey/American Broadcasting Companies (ABC)

Olympic alpine skier Bode Miller and freestyle skier Kristi Leskinen are among the eight athletes competing in a revival of "The Superstars" television show on ABC. Taped at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, the premiere episode of the six-show series airs Tuesday, June 23 at 8 p.m. EDT.

For the first time in the history of the ABC show going back to the 1970s, each athlete is paired with a celebrity for the various physical challenges such as swimming, biking, running and kayaking. Each week, one athlete-celebrity team is eliminated from the overall competition through a points system.

Click here for Kristi Leskinen slideshow

In the premiere episode, each team must bike and run over a 1.1 mile course across the Paradise Island Bridge to the Atlantis Resort. Both teammates must cross the finish line, but each team is given only one bicycle. The teams also compete in a kayak relay race on the man-made rapids at the Atlantis.

Miller is paired with Paige Hemmis of ABC's “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Leskinen is teamed with professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, best known for his appearances on the ABC program "Dancing with the Stars."

The other six team pairings for the show will be Terrell Owens and Joanna Krupa; Jeff Kent and Ali Landry; Robert Horry and Estella Warren; Lisa Leslie and Dan Cortese; Brandi Chastain and Julio Iglesias Jr.; and Jennifer Capriati and David Charvet.

Freestyle skier Kristi Leskinen is paired with professional
dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy for "The Superstars" on ABC.
  Photo: Adam Larkey/American Broadcasting Companies (ABC)

When the show involved only athletes, Miller won the competition in 2002 as part of a three-year stretch of champions from the skiing world. Alpine racer Hermann Maier won in 2001 and freestyle skier Jeremy Bloom won in 2003.

ESPN's John Saunders will head up a hosting team that also features former NFL player and past competitor in "The Superstars" Warren Sapp and TV personality Jenn Brown.

Miller's skiing future uncertain

While Miller agreed to compete in "The Superstars," he has not committed to next season's World Cup events or the 2010 Winter Olympics next February. Miller won the overall World Cup titles in 2005 and 2008, but suffered through a disappointing 2009 season. Often surrounded by controversy, Miller's outspoken personality has made him a polarizing figure within ski racing.

Leskinen showcases freestyle skiing

Leskinen has been a pioneer for women's freestyle skiing. At the 2005 Winter X Games, she won a bronze medal in the women's superpipe. Leskinen frequently appears in ski films shot all over the world. 

The 28-year-old has also attracted attention for her looks. Named one of FHM Magazine's 100 Sexiest Women of 2005, she appeared in a pictorial for the magazine.

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Interviews with Leskinen and Hemmis from ABC