Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski will join forces once again to provide commentary for this year’s upcoming Kentucky Derby.

Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski Join Kentucky Derby Broadcast

Weir and Lipinski, both retired professional figure skaters, have been tapped by NBC to join the network’s telecast of the Kentucky Derby, commenting on the fashions on display at the annual horse-racing event, reported Entertainment Weekly. The event, attended by the designer dud-clad rich and famous, generally draws a large female audience – more than any other sporting event save the Olympics – for that reason.

“It’s not just a two-minute race,” said Rob Hyland, coordinating producer for the NBC Sports Group. “Of course, the two-minute race is extremely important, but our job is to capture the venue and the day – it’s a huge celebration — as creatively and poignantly as possible.”

Both Lipinksi and Weir are excited about teaming up again, the second time since they were paired together to comment on the ice dancing routines at the Sochi Olympics this past winter.

“We’ve always loved loud fashion and sort of bonded over it,” Lipinski said. “The whole Olympics experience was a bit of a surprise. We came in and were focused on doing a good job as rookies. But we’re young and we like to have fun. The fashion was specifically for us every day and it was like, ’Oh, people are watching. This is fun.’”

Weir believes that their ice skating backgrounds fostered their keen eye for fashion. “We’ve grown up as entertainers, and going out the door, what you’re wearing is often the loudest statement you can make,” he said.

Incidentally, both Lipinski and Weir have equestrian experience as well. In her youth, Lipinksi often rode horses. Weir even competed in equestrian events prior to committing fully to his ice skating career.

The Kentucky Derby will be held at the Churchill Downs in Kentucky on May 3.

– Chelsea Regan