'Skating With the Stars': Rebecca Budig talks topping the leader board

Did "All My Children" star Rebecca Budig expect to top the leader board during week 1 of "Skating With the Stars?"

"No... no, no."

Zap2it caught up with Budig and partner Fred Palascak at the series premiere, and the happy couple explained that things weren't actually going so well heading into the first broadcast.

"We've had a lot of not good rehearsals," says Palascak, who admits things didn't really click until that evening.

And it's not for a lack of trying. The two have been rehearsing daily, before, after and sometimes even during Budig's 12-hour shift at "AMC." Some days Budig even goes into work, gets her hair and makeup done and heads to the rink for an hour's worth of practice before heading back to film her scenes.

"I've got to cram it all in," she says. "I get energy when I come to the rink. I'm really excited to be doing this, and I signed up for it... I'll sleep at Christmas."

That is, of course, if they can maintain the high scores.

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