Triumph And Tragedy: Talking John Curry With Author Bill Jones

I don't think anyone could argue that 1976 Olympic Gold Medallist John Curry was not one of the most important, significant and influential skaters of the twentieth century and for that matter, of all time. Not only was his skating magnificent, his work as a professional skater and choreographer completely revolutionized what many even considered possible on ice. Simply put, there's something about John Curry's skating that words don't seem to do any real justice. In his brand spanking new book "Alone: The Triumph and Tragedy of John Curry", Bill Jones takes on the daunting challenge of doing justice to the life story of one of skating's most enduring and enigmatic stars.

Although the book won't be released in the U.S. until January 2015 on Amazon.com, it is currently available on the British incarnation of Amazon and here in Canada, you can pre-order your copy and have it in no time flat: it will be released in Canada on August 26, 2014. This quite frankly though is not a book you want to be waiting on. You're better off just paying the international shipping and going the UK Amazon route. You'll thank yourself for it. I spoke to Bill Jones, the author of the book about what inspired him to tell John's story. "I've been a documentary filmmaker all my working life. That is until I wrote my first book four years ago, "The Ghost Runner". That effort won me a major literary award, and I badly wanted to write a second book and found myself thinking back to the night I watched John Curry at the Olympics in 1976. Something about him had always stuck with me, and as I knew nothing about him, I decided to look closer. Thank God I did. Although it's taken me almost three years, I'm very proud of the result and think John's courage - in respect of both his skating style AND his sexuality - should be read about by people today. Don't forget he came out as gay, less than 24 hours after winning the Olympics. In 1976! Even today, many public figures don't have the guts to do this. Curry also told the world he had AIDS when people like Freddie Mercury and Nureyev were trying all in their power to keep it a secret. Incredible, incredible guy."

Coming back to the challenge of putting a skater so enigmatic's story to paper, we talked a bit more about why John's story was so compelling: "Of course, John was a brilliant skater - a genius, and innovator, a risk-taker, a visionary. But what makes him fascinating for a biographer are the extraordinarily complex facets of his personality. At the outset of this project, one of his close friends said: 'How do you write a book about a black hole'? Very soon, I understood the wisdom of that remark. Curry was oblique, secretive and ferociously private. He was also rootless - never owned a home or lived anywhere for long - and his constant seeking movement made him even harder to pin down. But when I did - thanks to over three hundred private letters - I was fascinated by his dark, demanding, driving, unforgiving psyche. This wasn't mere prurience. Curry's loneliness and unhappiness are bound up in so many of his greatest pieces of choreography. Very often he is telling us something on the ice. Such as his maligned reworking of the Icarus myth which he explained with the wry aside : 'Everyone wants to fly too close to the sun'. Undoubtedly Curry flew too close and like thousands of men of his generation, he was burned." In this statement to John's contraction of HIV and AIDS which tragically led to his death in April 1994 at the age of forty seven.

As Jones described Curry as "oblique, secretive and ferociously private", I wanted to ask him more about the challenges of taking on a biographical project like this. "The challenge lay in his secrecy," Jones reiterated. "Diaries he had kept had been destroyed as had many letters. Thankfully, I found boxes of his papers at his former family home (in Warwickshire, England) and these were full of vital keys to his life. His passports especially - blizzards of red ink and stamps - gave me the precise route map of his life. Talking to over one hundred of his contemporaries opened him up piece by piece. As did the help of his family, who enabled me to get a glimpse of a childhood which ended in 1965 with his father's suicide. It would be fair to say that John was not an easy nut to crack! Another major challenge was putting into words the liquid beauty of his skating. Hopefully, I've pulled this off, especially with my description of his gold medal winning skate in 1976." Jones' effort to talk to a who's who from the skating community who were connected to John including his dear friend and contemporary Lorna Brown, Dorothy Hamill, Toller Cranston, Jojo Starbuck and Robin Cousins allowed for a real insight into not only John's character but his wide reaching impact on the figure skating community.

In this information age where we are fortunate to have a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips, I wanted to ask Jones what fans of John's would be most surprised by when reading the book: "I think fans of John's skating will be shocked to learn of the mental torment he was in, for almost all of his life. Curry was a depressive, lonely man who never established a lasting relationship. He was also ferociously tough on coaches, fellow skaters and managers. His journey was strewn with casualties. The outcome, however, was a body of work which no one will ever equal. His 1984 shows at the Royal Albert Hall and the New York Met, for example, were quite literally jaw-dropping. They were also cripplingly expensive and left his company over one million dollars in debt; a financial catastrophe from which he never really recovered. I think fans will also be upset to read of his final years, resigned to his fate, but happy not to be weighed down by the pressures of his skating life."

Going back to what made Curry simply this larger than life, SPECIAL skater, Jones commented that "from what I've seen of skating recently - and I don't pretend to be a student of today's whiz kids - it all seems a little tacky and tricksy, and I wonder where the subtlety has gone. But then Curry had to fight to skate the way he wanted, and as a child had really wanted to be a ballet dancer so his motivation was entirely different. Skating for him was a second choice which he worked tirelessly, and brilliantly, to subvert. Anyway, I do hope people read this book and spread the word. Sadly it will make people cry, but it will also make them head for YouTube to see what all the fuss was about. And if they do, my job is done!"

It was my pleasure to connect with Bill Jones and really garner some insight into his motivation to tell this important story. I have to honestly say that this is a story that needs to be out there and that people really need to take the time to read. E.A. Bucchianeri wrote that "an artist should paint from the heart, and not always what people expect. Predictability often leads to the dullest work, in my opinion, and we have been bored stiff long enough I think." In a time when skating is at this dire crossroads where the artistic movement to reclaim ownership of the ART of skating seems pitted against a judging system that almost cruelly discourages any form of creativity, I think reading about and learning from the story of one of the sport's greatest artists and true masters is just so very important. The more and more I think about it, "the sport of figure skating" is becoming a broken record we need to stop trying to change. "The art of figure skating" is what needs our undivided attention and Curry's legacy and body of work can truly serve as a wonderful source of inspiration, vision and hope... for skating's overall future.

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

Interview With Matt Parr

The Olympic dream is one that motivates so many skaters throughout their careers, but the sheer reality of life is that very few skaters actually get to live that experience. Through the inclusion of the new team event at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, four-time British Champion Matt Parr got to live his Olympic dream - and skated brilliantly. Since announcing his retirement from competitive skating and taking up professional skating aboard the Royal Caribbean Legend Of The Seas cruise ship, in this wonderful interview Matt reflected on his competitive career, talked about the issues facing both competitive skating internationally and within Great Britain, his future, his heroes both on and off the ice and much more. You're going to just love reading this one!:

Q: After winning the 2003/2004 British junior title, your progress and transition to the senior ranks was slow but sensational. Now, in 2014 you can look back and say you're a four time British senior men's champion. What has been the key to your longevity and endurance in the sport and what kept you going?

A: I won the junior title at the age of thirteen and for me, that was maybe a little too early. I wasn't quite mature enough physically or mentally at the time and for those reasons, I feel I struggled to get myself where I needed to be for the next few seasons. I think it's quite generous to say I've been in the sport for a long time. I retired at the age of twenty three, so I can't say I've had longevity in the sport. In terms of what motivated me to go into the rink everyday, in my last season it was the Olympics. That's all I ever wanted to achieve from a young age, so having the as the carrot dangling in front of my face everyday is what got me through.

Q: You've represented Great Britain on the world's biggest stages at the Junior World Championships, European Championships, World Championships, Winter Olympics and a host of other international competitions. What are your proudest moments from international competition?

A: Representing your country at any competition is always an honor, but to do so at an Olympic Games is like nothing I can describe. So, without a doubt, that is the highlight of my career. Becoming the first British male to win the Mid Atlantics in New York in decades was also a pretty big highlight for me, too.

Q: You're really a multi-talented person, formerly playing football and being quite involved with gymnastics. Word on the street is that you can also juggle, ride a unicycle and balance a chair on your chin. Where did you learn all of these circus tricks and what's the next trick up your sleeve?

A: When I was younger I would spend long days in the ice rink, so to help pass time in between seasons I would learn new things to keep my busy. My parents knew I had an extremely short attention span too, so they'd buy me random things to keep me entertained (for example, the unicycle, juggling equipment, diablos and the like). The gymnastics wasn't anything I did for any great period of time. I used to throw myself around and teach myself back tucks and things, so my parents found a local gymnastics school for a while, so I could purge myself of the need to do these in a safer environment I guess. I entered one competition and won. I retired immediately afterwards. Maybe I just like to prove to myself and to other people that I can do things. Now that I'm a little older and wiser, I'm not so courageous in attempting new things. I've now realized the fragility of my own body so I can't throw myself into things so casually now! I'm going to stick to some less strenuous things from now on. I'm currently learning the back tuck on the ice, though. That's as far as exciting as is going to get from now on, I fear.

Q: Who are your three favourite skaters of all time and why?

A: Alexei Yagudin probably comes at the top of the list. He was technically as consistent as anyone I've ever seen and had a charisma on the ice which drew you in. To finish off his career with the memorable routines in Salt Lake 2002, he's secured his position in my top three skaters although watching them back now, the programs seem so juvenile compared to today's athletes. The feeling it gave me as a kid watching them is enough. Daisuke Takahashi would be the next one. His artistry on the ice is just incredible. His performances evoke emotions within yourself unlike any other skater I've witnessed. Just a truly exquisite skater who puts everything into his performances, often at the expense of his technical mark. As an artist on the ice, there is no one better, in my opinion. If I could skate like any skater I've ever seen, it'd be Daisuke. I'm only going to mention these two as my favourite skaters, as they are the main ones who have inspired me. I must give special mentions to the likes of Patrick Chan, Yuzuru Hanyu, Brian Joubert, and my good friend Javier Fernandez. These are skaters I enjoy watching and are terrific athletes.

Q: What is the biggest problem facing the skating world today and how would you solve it?

A: I guess the biggest problems are financing and the modernization of the sport. The ISU seems to be attempting to modernize the sport with the new rule allowing vocals in every discipline now. I feel these decisions are being made to increase or maintain revenue from the TV channels. That coupled with the decreasing numbers of entries allowed per event and tougher selection procedures for ISU Championships could make it harder for young talent to break through. It's not rare now that Grand Prix's can't fill the entry allocation with governing bodies unwilling to fund a replacement competitor. Inconsistency in judging is an area which I also fear could drive the formally avid follower to lose faith in the sport, too which, in turn, could lead to the IOC discrediting figure skating as a sport and removing it from the Olympics. That would be the death of the sport for me.

Q: Was the decision to retire from competitive skating a difficult one?

A: I always knew I didn't want to be competing into my late twenties, so I always had planned to retire this year. Plus, I was solely motivated by the Olympics and I couldn't have pushed myself through another cycle for PyeongChang. I'm going to do shows for a short period before moving onto life away from the ice.

Q: The history of skating in the UK is really absolutely fascinating. John Curry, Robin Cousins,
Madge Syers, Jeannette Altwegg and Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have all brought home Olympic gold for your country. What are your thoughts on the present state and future of skating in England?

A: British skating needs to go in a new direction, in my opinion. There are a lot of people who care greatly about the sport but are unable to break the current trend and create a brighter future. I'm very hopeful this can be changed but I feel it needs a person to come in and deconstruct it, rebuild it and be supported by everyone involved with the governing body. The truth is Britain isn't blessed with an abundance of talented skaters, so when there is one found, they need to be nurtured correctly. I've seen many good British skaters fall short of their full potential through the lack of support from the governing body, solely cast off into the pile of the forgotten skaters.

Q: Who are your heroes?

A: I wouldn't really say I had heroes, but the people I admire most in life are my parents. Without them I couldn't have achieved anything in the sport. They supported my skating career from my first time on the ice until I retired after Sochi. I received no funding whatsoever, so none of this would have been possible. Sporting heroes would be Alan Shearer, Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Chris Hoy, Peter Beardsley and Katherine Grainger to name a few.

Q: What's one thing about you most people don't know?

A: I'm a pretty open book, so I can't think there's much about me that people don't know. If anyone wants to know they're welcome to ask me on Twitter.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake you mistake you made in your life and what did you learn from it?

A: I can't think of one major mistake that made me think differently, but the biggest thing I've learned over the time is to always do what makes you happy. I think most people have a good sense of morality, so as long as you're not hurting anyone else with your actions then do what helps you enjoy life. If you aren't enjoying your training, speak to your coach and try something different. They also want what's best for you so they'll listen. If you aren't happy with things in your life, then make a change. I know it's not always easy but we only get one shot at life so we should be nice to one another and enjoy every moment we can!

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

Interview With Viktória Pavuk

After making her first of four consecutive trips to the World Junior Championships in 2001, Hungarian Champion Viktória Pavuk embarked on a competitive figure skating career that would see her spend a decade competing in senior competitions around the world. In 2004, she narrowly missed the podium at the European Championships in her home country and handily beat eventual Olympic Bronze Medallist Carolina Kostner and European Champion Sarah Meier in the process. After a four year absence from the World Championships, the athletic Viktória returned in 2011 and again qualified for the free skate. It was my pleasure to talk to her about life after retiring from competition in 2012, her competitive career, her favourite skaters and much more in this lovely interview:

Q: Your competitive career spanned more than decade and saw you win the Hungarian national title, compete at four European Championships and World Championships, represent your country in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy and win important international competitions such as the Ondrej Nepela Memorial, Coupe de Nice and Skate Israel. Reflecting on your entire time as a competitive skater, what memories stand out as your proudest or the most special? Contrary wise, which were the most challenging?

A: I have uncountable wonderful memories and find it very difficult to name just one that stands out the most but besides the ones you mentioned (especially the Olympic Games) I am very proud of my Junior Grand Prix gold medal. It was an amazing and special experience in Gdansk being the last to skate in the Gala and my coach Szabolcs Vidrai fondly calling me "my champion lady". It was very important to win here, because it was for the entry of the Grand Prix Final, where I finished at in the third place. I am also proud of my short program bronze medal from the European Championships. I could travel around the world by skating. It's true I could not get every time into the city center, for example to the Eiffel Tower because of the strict schedule. Sometimes we had just some days which are spent with competition but I could walk on the Big Wall. The most challenging competition was the Olympic Games. It was unforgettable memory skating in front of nine and a half thousand spectators during the European Championships in Budapest Arena and in 2004 I was able to take part in the Gala because of my result and not because I am Hungarian. French competitions are close to my heart and I feel French spectators like me as well. Every time I took part in Cup of Nice, I was published with more pictures in their brochure and they exposed them on the ice rink wall.

Q: During your skating career, your sister Patricia (a competitive ice dancer) was one of your coaches alongside Szabolcs Vidrai and Istvan Simon. What made your relationship with your coaches work?

A: I reached third place in the Junior Olympic Games with my first coach István Simon. I got good basic training from him and from my first ballet teacher Judit Puskás. I did major expansion during the period of time spent with Szabolcs. At that time, I got to work with Igor Tchiniaev who taught me new skating styles and I was opened to change. I got my best results during these three years in junior and senior category as well. I got to go to Eric Bompard, the Paris Grand Prix and finished seventh place and won two times at the Cup of Nice with Patricia.

Q: Your decision to end your career came in 2012. How did you reach this difficult decision and do you have any regrets about not continuing until 2014?

A: Dancing and skating was my love and I was very dedicated, so I wanted to continue competing. Unfortunately, conditions did not allow me to continue skating. I think almost every professional skater or other athlete's hearts stay half out on the ice or on a court. I grow up on the dancing floor and on the ice and I started skating and doing classical and jazz ballet at the same time when I was three so it is hard to break away.

Q: Since retiring from competitive skating, what is your involvement with skating in Hungary and what are your goals in life off of the ice?

A: I wanted to attend the Dance Academy but I couldn't have the time for it because of professional figure skating so I finished my studies and got a diploma of physical education and I made a media school as well. I have worked as a reporter at a Cultur Television for two years. I like this new profession. I mostly do interviews with actors and dancers and I can see their performances at the National Dancetheater and Operetta Theater. Sometimes I hold practices for small skaters. Children and I both seem to like each other. I miss skating so I am thinking about doing a revue and then after staying abroad to continue my life as a coach. However, I am starting get used to and love my work as a reporter. It's a difficult decision!

Q: Who are your three favourite skaters of all time and why? 

A: Of course I recognize the results of Krisztina Czakó and Diana Póth. I got motivation from Maria Butyrskaya, Oksana Baiul and Shizuka Arakawa. I think they really loved skating and it showed during their performances. They are my favourite skaters from all time.

Q: Having competed under both systems,  what are thoughts on the current skate of figure skating and the new judging system? Do you feel it has bettered the sport or do you prefer the 6.0 system?

A: In my point of view, it was not a big change. I could conform to the new judging system. I can do difficult variations and change of edges and difficult positions in spins like the Biellmann, split and donut spin. The scoring of the sport will always be subjective. Anyway, there are some funny situations when skaters laugh at the judging requirements... In one season, they asked for changes in speed during the step sequence and Alban Préaubert started to walk on his top of the blades and then started to run. It made for a funny performance and I liked it.

Q: What were your thoughts on the ladies competitions at the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2014 World Championships?

A: Frankly, I was not able to watch a lot of the competitions for the last two years because my heart broke after finishing competing. What I have seen is that figure skating is more technical then ever and lost from its artistic nature. On the other hand, figure skating is sport and the exhibitions and revues are where we have to go to show our acting abilities.

Q: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

A: Well, maybe not all people know that I was an almost fanatic hard worker on the ice. I wanted to meet the expectations and prove myself to my beloved fans and of course little skaters, because they gave me energy and had fun. I still start almost every morning start with ballet lessons and nowadays go on the ice so I am ready for exhibition skating. I also like romantic novels. My favourite is "Gone With The Wind". I love this one and the music from the movie as well.

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

Horatio Tertuliano Torromé: Argentina's Only Olympic Figure Skater

Long, long before the Jamaican bobsled team earned international fame with their debut in Olympic competition in Calgary in 1988 and inspired the movie 'Cool Runnings', an Olympic athlete from a country you'd never really associate with winter sports did just the same... only at the Summer Olympic Games and as a figure skater.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1861 to an Argentine father and a Brazilian mother, Horatio Tertuliano Torromé emigrated to Great Britain during the Victorian era with his family, married in 1886 and soon thereafter took up figure skating. In 1902, he almost won a medal at the World Figure Skating Championships in London, England, but dropped from a third place finish in compulsory figures to finish fourth in free skating and just off the podium underneath Ulrich Salchow, Madge Syers-Cave and Germany's Martin Gordan. In 1905 and 1906, Torromé would compete at the British Figure Skating Championships and win the men's competition, which wasn't technically a men's competition as female skaters contested the men for the 'men's title' until they were finally given a competition of their own in 1927. 

A forty six year old Torromé qualified to compete as a representative of Great Britain at the 1908 Olympic Games and almost did, but instead opted to represent his father's home country of Argentina. He was the only athlete in ANY sport to represent Argentina at those Games and in the more than hundred years and countless Olympic Games since then, there still hasn't been another figure skater from Argentina. Although he would finish seventh of the seven men finishing the men's event at those Games (two didn't finish), Torromé would also judge the pairs figure skating competition at the 1908 Games. Following the Olympics, Torromé continued the work he'd started off the ice during his skating career. Since 1881 at the age of twenty, he was a partner in the Laurence Pountey-lane business Torromé Sons and Co, Commission Merchants, with his father Francisco and brother Francisco (Franco) Jose Torromé. His father retired from the business in late 1903 and left the business to be run by his sons. Horatio (also known as Henri) would pass away in Willensden, Greater London on September 16, 1920.

Art by Horatio Tertuliano Torromé, from Edgar Syers' book "The Poetry Of Skating"

Interestingly, Torromé wasn't the only skater to come out of a warm weather climate and achieve excellence back 'in those days'. Jamaican born Louis Magnus followed a similar path, emigrating from Kingston, Jamaica to France and taking up skating as well. Magnus would not only win the French men's and pairs titles but would parallel Torromé's career further by judging internationally as well. Magnus would go on to found the International Ice Hockey Federation and become its first President.

It wouldn't be until 2006 that Argentina would be represented again in ISU competition, when Natalia Alexandra Mitsuoka, who emigrated from Argentina to the United States, would represent her country of birth at the 2006 World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Now officially a member of the ISU, Argentina boasts a handful of ice rinks in areas like Buenos Aries, Haedo and the San Isidro district, where a new generation of skaters are learning lutzes and layback spins. With new events like the ISU Development Trophy providing opportunities to developing skating federations, it may not be another hundred years before we see another skater from Argentina at the Olympics.

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of the figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

Turning The Tables: Answering Your Questions (Volume 2)

Back in July 2013, I decided to put myself out there and do the first edition of Turning The Tables - kind of like a "Reader Mail" blog to mix things up a little bit. I'm constantly getting feedback about the content on the blog via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter and I want to thank you all so much for reading, being supportive and even correcting me and providing constructive criticism. As I wrote last time I did this... without you reading what I'm writing, I'm just talking to myself so I really appreciate all of the kind words and feedback. So without further ado, some answers to your questions:

Q from @Colinsfansdotcom on Twitter: "What's the hardest move you ever did on the ice?"

A: I talked quite a bit about my time as a figure skater the last time around and it's something I get asked about a fair bit. As I explained, I competed mainly in Artistic (which I think is now known as Interpretive). This was mostly because I loved interpreting music and expressing myself creatively on the ice and taking risks, but hey... it didn't hurt that I wasn't much of a jumper either. All of my singles including my axel were 100% consistent and near the end of my time skating, I was doing double salchows and double loops pretty consistently as well. I LOVED hydroblading and field moves but jumps just weren't something I was really strong at. I was about 5'9" and 120 pounds soaking wet so there wasn't much muscle to me back then. I was kind of a string bean.

Q from @ClaireCloutier on Twitter: "So what made you decide to start a figure skating blog? And, is it hard to keep going?"

A: I've always had some sort of creative outlet from the time I was a teenager until now. I've acted, danced, skated, written, acted and performed as a drag queen for ten years. When I decided to give up drag, I thought about what my next challenge would be. I'd really kind of given up writing (which is my true passion) for several years and have passionately followed figure skating since around 1994 so it just seemed like a cool choice. I had no clue what I was doing when I started and I'm still not convinced I do. As for being hard to keep going, I've got discouraged a few times but lately, things have been great. I've learned to stay well ahead and always have a LOT of content already prepared well in advance so unless I'm writing about a current event or something like that, I never really have to be freaking out going "what am I going to write next?" Staying ahead of the game has been key to always having lots of fresh content.

Q from Alex E. via e-mail: "Where did you come up with the name of the blog?"

A: "Is That A Skate Guard In Your Pocket Or Are You Happy To See Me?" - which is definitely a mouthful - originated in my own twisted head. You have to laugh in life and I'm all about having a sense of humor about what you're doing! At the end of the day, it's a lighthearted blog and it's meant to be entertaining and educational to people. I kind of like the fact that although the writing style is lighthearted at times and the name is playful, the content is very much for real.

Q from @MartinBeetler on Twitter: "Who is the one interview you have tried to get the most and they keep declining?"

A: Interesting question! I usually contact most people for interviews initially via e-mail, social media or their federations so I really leave the owness on people themselves to get back to me and connect. Naturally, some people you just don't hear back from and with others, you start coordinating an interview and communication falls through... which is completely understandable when you think about how busy life is. That said, most people are great and sometimes the best interviews are the ones you wait for or have to work to get! I've only ever had one person flat out refuse and that had to do them not being a fan of the name of the blog, which I kind of get. Totally up to them obviously! There are so many people I haven't interviewed yet that I'd love to but one person that comes to mind off the top of my head that I'm just dying to interview is of course Toller Cranston.

Q from Lyne O. via Facebook: "What are your favourite blogs and podcasts?"

A: I am absolutely in love with Stuff You Missed In History Class. If you haven't given this podcast a listen, you need to get on that. The two co-hosts Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey have wonderful senses of humor but more importantly, they are very thoughtful about their topic choices and do their homework. From shipwrecks to civil rights to a man eating lion, I've learned about hundreds of topics that I never would have on my own and I think you're going to find that a lot of the blogs coming up in particular really center on skating history topics you may have missed in skating history class, so you can definitely say they have inspired this blog. Absolutely. As for skating blogs and podcasts, I have listened to almost every single episode of The Manleywoman SkateCast. Allison really is the queen of skating interviewers! She asks the write questions, ALWAYS does her homework and is really so versatile both in the people she interviews and the topics she discusses with them. She's definitely inspired me, that's for damn sure. As well, if you want to talk about sense of humor... Check out Allison Scott's Life On The Edge Of Skating blog. For those of you who don't know Allison, yes, she's Jeremy Abbott's Mom but more importantly, she's a great writer and she's just hilarious. Open Kwong Dore Podcast is another big favourite of mine - PJ Kwong is simply to die for! In case you may have noticed, most of these are podcasts. I write almost every day... it's nice FOR ME to listen for a change!

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of the figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

Interview With Brian Orser

You've all heard the old opera colloquialism "it ain't over till the fat lady sings". Well, the way I see it is this... if you're going to have a Canada Month on your blog, it ain't over till you interview Brian Orser. That's just how it works. How do you even introduce Brian Orser? He's one of several wonderful skaters like Liz Manley, Robin Cousins, Toller Cranston and Anita Hartshorn and Frank Sweiding who inspired me to start skating myself. He's won the Canadian novice title, Canadian junior title and the Canadian senior title (the latter EIGHT CONSECUTIVE TIMES). He's won Skate Canada International three times in addition to two Olympic silver medals and the 1987 World title. He followed that up with one of the most successful and enduring professional careers going, competing professionally and touring with Stars On Ice for almost twenty years. After taking a step away from performing in 2007, he turned to the coaching world. He's coached two Olympic gold medallists (Yuna Kim and Yuzuru Hanyu), as well as Javier Fernández, Christina Gao, Adam Rippon, Eric Radford, Elene Gedevanishvili, Fedor Andreev and many, many others. Most recently, he's come out with Peak Performance Skating, his own iPhone skating app! If there's something this man can't do, I can't think of it. To top it all off, he's just a delightful person! Before we get to the interview, I've got to tell you my Brian Orser story if you haven't heard it yet. In 2007, Canadian Nationals were here in Halifax and there was some GREAT skating that year. In between the pairs and men's free skates I think, my friend Jason and I were walking along the top of the rink and I saw Brian standing there standing talking to someone and me (forever the extrovert) just barged over to introduce myself. I wasn't letting that one go. He couldn't have been any nicer about the whole thing and I totally got him to autograph my ticket. I'm sorry! You don't get to meet your idols every day. That's what I thought at least until I started blogging... At any rate, Brian and I connected when he was in Japan putting together a show for Yuzuru Hanyu with Jeffrey Buttle and I can't thank him enough for taking the time to do this interview. I think you'll love it!:

Q: Two Olympic silver medals, the world title in 1987, three Skate Canada titles, eight consecutive Canadian titles, nearly twenty years with Stars On Ice and one of the most impressive professional careers in the business. What do you look back on as the most special or defining moments in your career when you reflect on it all today?

A: Moments! There are so many moments to reflect on... when I won my first senior Canadian title in 1981 in Halifax was a turning point and launched me on to the world scene. It was then I realized I had a shot at the World and Olympic podiums. Junior Nationals in 1979 is another big moment, landing my first triple axel. Both Olympic experiences stand out as well. I felt totally in charge and prepared and skating with the Olympic logo on the ice was so empowering. Making the "Carmen On Ice" movie with Katarina Witt was such a great experience. It was my first real chance at acting and movie making. All three CBC variety specials: "Skating Free", "Night Moves" and " Blame it On The Blues". Winning my first ever trophy in Sarnia, Ontario... I believe it was the Men Under 13 category... and winning the World title in 1987 in Cincinnati. 

Q: You really revolutionized the technical side of skating by being the first skater to perform a triple axel at the Olympics and the first to include two triple axels in a program. Looking at the IJS judging system we have today as opposed to the 6.0 system when you were competing, do you think technical innovation is being rewarded enough and what aspects do you feel need to be improved about the way skating is being judged today?

A: We (as coaches) have to embrace the system we have at the moment. My job as a coach is to be sure my athletes have all the tools to tackle any system. I actually like this system as it rewards a "well rounded" skater. I was trained as a well rounded skater and when I competed, it seemed the jumps were "king" of choreography. Spins were secondary along with quality of edges, turns and transitions. The big improvement I feel that is needed is in the transparency in judging. I realize the idea is to "protect" the judges so they can do what they feel without any external pressure, however, I think it has backfired. 

Q: Brian Boitano, Katarina Witt, Gordeeva and Grinkov and Torvill and Dean (among others) all reinstated in time for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Was reinstating in 1994 something you considered?

A: (laughing) I think I entertained the idea for about thirty seconds! It was very brave for these "greats" to come back, but for me I wanted to continue on the direction and path I was already on. 

Q: "The Story Of My Life" is stands out as not only one of your signature pieces but one of the most moving skating programs out there period. What did this music and program mean to you and what did you love most about skating to it for so many years?

A: "The Story Of My Life" was a piece of music that my mother found and loved. She (like me) was a huge Neil Diamond fan. It seemed fitting to skate to this after the Calgary Games and for the 1988 season, as it was my last amateur run. Following my mother's death in 1996, I brought it back as a tribute to her and also to help me through the pain I was feeling. Skating was my way of feeling and expressing. I had the song, my friends and the audience every night. 

Q: Would you ever get back into touring or performing regularly again?

A: (laughing) No! Been there, done that and got many t-shirts!

Q: Maybe I'll just try asking you that again in a bit and see if you change your mind. You've recently launched your own skating app called Peak Performance Skating. How did the idea for an app come together in your mind and what does the app offer that is missing in the training regimes of so many skaters?

A: The idea of Peak Performance Skating really came by chance as I met Asad Mecci in my condo building. He is the consulting hypnotist whose voice is on our app. He was discussing the success of the work he had done with tennis players and asked about working on an app for figure skaters. I jumped at the opportunity to develop something for my skaters and eventually have it available for all skaters at all levels. This is the type of training I did as an athlete... not so much with a recorded session but a live exercise we went through at competitions for realization and visualization. Fast forward to today and the tool is now with you when YOU need it at any time or place. You just simply turn on your phone or tablet. It's something that can help any skater, especially before they compete. 

Q: You've coached or currently coach a who's who of figure skating today - Olympic Gold Medallists Yuzuru Hanyu and Yuna Kim, Olympic Silver Medallist Eric Radford, two time European Champion Javier Fernández, Adam Rippon, Christina Gao and so many others. For you, was the transition to coaching from performing a natural one and what would you say is your 'secret' as a coach?

A: I think the transition for me to coaching and teaching was a smooth one, but quite abrupt. The offer for me to direct the skating section at the Cricket Club was sudden and unexpected. I would only tackle the responsibility if Tracy Wilson would do it with me. She said yes and the rest is history. My first student was a fifteen year old junior skater from Korea. Her name was Yuna Kim. Of course she was talented, but unfortunately she lacked passion and joy for skating. I feel my best tools are my experiences from competing at a very high level... my physical readiness and mostly my mental readiness. This is where Peak Performance comes in for my athletes to use as a tool. It allows them to visualize themselves in their own thoughts and pictures for their potential and level of skating. This was an exercise that I did regularly as an athlete. I think my "secret" is a variety of things: mental readiness, preparation, communication, team work, motivation, and most of all, I believe in them. I know they will reach their full potential. 

Q: Who are your three favourite skaters of all time and why?

A: My favourite skaters of all time are Robin Cousins, Stephane Lambiel, Janet Lynn and Kurt Browning.   

BUT... today my favourite skaters are Yuzuru Hanyu, Javier Fernandez and Nam Nguyen.

Q: What's one thing most people don't know about you?

A: As someone who has been in the media from a young age, I don't think there is any thing that people don't know.   

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to every skater in the world, what would it be?

A: The only advice is that athletes should feel free to express themselves. Love skating for the beauty it is. Take the time to simplify it. 

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of the figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

Interview With Kaetlyn Osmond

If you're going to have a Canada Month, you simply have to interview the country's reigning women's champion. It's just the only way to do it, right? The hardest part of interviewing so many of these amazing skaters that I personally just adore watching - like Kaetlyn Osmond - is not fangirling myself and I have to say in this particular case, I just can't gush enough. I remember sitting on my couch in the dead of winter glued to the television set cheering on Team Canada in the Sochi team event and being like "HAYYYY!" when Kaetlyn went out and skated lights out at the Olympics. As skating fans here in Canada, we really are just SO fortunate to be represented by a skater who is not only technically outstanding but really gifted as a performer as well. I just think Kaetlyn is fabulously talented and it was just my absolute pleasure to have chance to talk to her about being from Atlantic Canada, her goals for next season, working with Ravi Walia and Lance Vipond, life off the ice, confidence and much, much more in this absolute must read interview:

Q: Before anything, I just want to say that I think you are just fantastic! You've got personality plus on the ice, are fearless and just bring it out there... plus you're originally from right out here on the east coast. I love it! What do you love most about Atlantic Canada?

A: The best thing about the Atlantic Canada I find is having the water right there everywhere I go. I absolutely love the water and living out west in Edmonton, I find the appreciation of having the ocean as my backyard whenever I go home to Newfoundland. Also, I love the small town feel of 'everyone knows everyone'. It feels like a giant family that I know always supports me.

Q: You're an Olympic silver medallist now, you've represented Canada at the World Championships and Four Continents Championships, won two Canadian titles as well Skate Canada International and Nebelhorn Trophy... looking at all of your amazing accomplishments so far, what are you proudest of or what memories on the ice stand out as the most special to you?

A: My proudest moments are obviously each and every accomplishment, especially ending on the podium on the international stages. However, my absolutely favourite memories are the competitions within Canada. Nationals this past year is a memory I will always cherish. It was such a rough year with injuries causing me a lot of frustration. When Nationals rolled around I knew I had the Olympic spot on the line along with regaining my national title. A lot of pressure for one competition! My thought going in wasn't the pressure of winning, it was proving myself in front of an audience and me. I wanted to prove that I could come back from the hardest season and put my heart out on the ice and skate the best I know I can. That is exactly what I did. When my music ended after my long program, I just took the biggest breath and enjoyed my moment out on the ice. I didn't want to ever leave that ice.

Q: Last year I interviewed your choreographer Lance Vipond and he talked a lot about how much your basic skating skills have improved in the last year and how its really shown in your programs as well. The programs you skated this past season competitively as well as the programs you did in Stars On Ice I think really showed off your maturity and ability to take on different styles. What do you like most about tackling different styles and pieces of music and what piece of music would you LOVE to skate to someday?

A: My favourite thing about tackling many different styles of dance and music is that it continues to challenge me every day. I learn so much more about my body and how to work it the way I want. I love keeping things different. The same repetitiveness of skating can be tiring, so the continuous change in styles keeps things interesting and fresh. I also love that when I go to competitions no one knows what to expect and I come out as a surprise every year.

Q: Going back to working with Lance and your coach Ravi Walia, what makes them the perfect team for you?

A: I have been working with Ravi and Lance for eight years now. They know what I need to do to accomplish more and more things every year. Ravi knows how to work me on the ice to make myself feel confident and ready every time I step out on the ice for competition. Also, his calm and strict personality is a perfect opposition to my hyper, bubbly self which makes it a perfect combination for training and competition. Lance is very creative and knows what I can do, whether I know I can do it or not. He continues to challenge me every year with my choreography, making me a varied skater and a much stronger skater every year. He lets me input my own ideas which brings out my own heart in my programs. Also, whenever I say something isn't possible and don't understand how he is doing something, he makes me do it anyways and surprises me every time when I figure it out.

Q: You've already tackled the triple flip/triple toe, double axel/triple toe and triple toe/triple toe. What's your next technical challenge out there in terms of jumping? 

A: Well, I have already tackled so many different triple combinations and difficult elements. However, many people don't know that I do actually have a triple loop because I have never competed with it. I do want to add that to my program this year, showing that I can do all my triples. Maybe in the future, I will try triple Axels and maybe even a quad.

Q: If you were stuck inside on a rainy day, what would you be spending your day doing?

A: If I have no schoolwork to do on my rainy days off, I find myself either glued to Netflix watching some movie or TV show (like Nashville or Heartland) or I find myself stuck in the pages of a book. At the moment I am reading "P.S. I Love You". However, I am not always stuck inside on rainy days. I do love running outside and splashing in the puddles. I have a little kid's attitude sometimes.

Q: Looking forward to next season, what are your goals going forward and what can you share about new programs and how your training has been going as of late?

A: I have many goals for next year. I proved to myself last season that I can practice and be very consistent in what I am doing though I never got to show that on the international stage last year. That is my biggest goal this year... to redeem myself for the programs that I am not too proud of last year. This year's short, which is the only program I have choreographed as of now, is really going to help me grow as a skater. Lance did an amazing job with showing me off as a newer skater this season. I am very excited to show people. I am leaving the style and music quiet and making it a surprise appearance during the competition season.

Q: Who are your three favourite skaters of all time and why?

A: I find that picking three favourite skaters is hard for me because I haven't really watched much skating growing up however Jeffrey Buttle, Kurt Browning and Akiko Suzuki have really stood out to me during their performances. This is because each one of them skates for the love of skating and you can really see their heart and passion in each and every performance. That is what I love seeing in this sport... that when it comes to competitions, you enjoy it knowing the training is there and you can just be free to perform.

Q: What's one thing most people don't know about you?

A: Not many people actually know I am very shy. When I am meeting people for the first few times, I feel very awkward and scared I am going to say too much, not enough or just say the wrong thing.

Q: What do you love more than anything about being out on the ice?

A: What I love most is that I feel the most comfortable on the ice. All the shyness I dealt with growing up and the shyness I sometimes still feel just completely disappears while I am on the ice. The rink and the ice is what I consider home. It is where I can be free to be me and not worry about what anyone thinks.

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of the figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

Figure Skating Meets Television: The Ice Palace And Stars On Ice

In the summer of '71 (not quite the Summer of '69 like in the song but pretty damn close), CBS presented an eight episode television variety/skating show on Sunday nights called The Ice Palace. The first effort of its kind, the show contrasted entertainment acts against the background of a mythical ice palace and featured guest hosts like Carol Lawrence, Vikki Carr, Dean Jones, Leslie Uggams, Johnny Mathis and Roger Miller and skating entertainment from skaters Tommy Litz, Tim Wood, Linda Carbonetto (now Linda Villella), Billy Chappell, Donald Knight, Gisela Head, Tim Noyers, Roy Powers, Sandy Parker and The Bob Turk Ice Dancers all skating to music orchestrated by Alan Copeland ranging from Barbra Streisand's "Don't Rain On My Parade" to Janis Joplin's "Me And Bobby McGee". Although short lived, The Ice Palace proved that figure skating sold as a television show.

Beginning years before the tour of the same name would become a household name across North America and later worldwide, Stars On Ice was also the name of a weekly television variety/skating show broadcast from 1976 to 1981 on CTV here in Canada that featured some of most iconic names in skating of the era. In fact, it was North America's first national network ice skating series and "one of the most lavish, expensive and successful productions ever done on Canadian television" according to series writer Mary E. McLeod. The show debuted on September 14, 1976.

Filmed on a 40 X 60 ice rink set up at Toronto's CFTO-TV studio six (which expanded to a 46 X 68 sized rink by the show's second season), the series was produced and directed by Michael Steele along with executive producers Arthur Weinthal of CTV and Ed Richardson of Glen Warren Productions. It featured a regular cast of fourteen professional skaters, most of whom were based in the Toronto area. The show also regularly featured special guests from the figure skating world as well as guest celebrities and musicians and was hosted by Jeopardy's own Alex Trebek from 1976-1980 and Doug Crosley during the series' final year. The early evening series reached such popularity and was so easily marketable (as it was physical entertainment not based on language) that it was syndicated in over thirty countries worldwide including Brazil, Hong Kong, Nigeria and Iran.

Most thirty minute shows opened with glamorous and elaborate Hollywood style production numbers from the cast of professionals and featured a second big budget production ensemble piece halfway through. Under Steele's direction, choreographers Bill Turner, Ken Atkinson and Kenneth Welsch worked their magic with the assistance of consultants Debbi Wilkes and John S. Rait. The cast and special guests from season to season couldn't have been more consistently stellar. Skating stars over the years included Toller Cranston, Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini, Karen Magnussen, Jojo Starbuck and Ken Shelley, Gary Beacom, Tracey Wainman, Donald Jackson, Tim Wood, Charlie Tickner, Sandra Bezic, Richard Dwyer, Sarah Kawahara, Barbara Berezowski and David Porter, Mr. Frick, Uschi Keszler, Dianne de Leeuw and Lynn Nightingale. Musical guests included Rosemary Clooney, Davy Jones of The Monkees, Donovan, Melba Moore, Mary MacGregor and Freda Payne.

 

The show set a precedent for skating's marketability on television outside of the competition and one time special model and no doubt encouraged others to feature it as well. Donny and Marie Osmond's show featured skating performances and in 1980, a variety production on NBC called The Big Show featured an ice rink and skating performances from the likes of Toller Cranston (a regular on Stars On Ice), John Curry, Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill. Years later, other series based around figure skating's would gain the world's attention and imagination include FOX's short lived Skating With Celebrities, Australia's Skating On Thin Ice and of course the wildly popular Dancing On Ice ITV show based around Torvill and Dean and CBC's Battle Of The Blades. TLC even took a break from hoarders, pre-adolescent pageant queens and people picking a chicken asparagus with two sides out a dumpster to pilot Jersey On Ice, a series based around New Jersey figure skating coaches that never got off the ground but was a time nonetheless. Yeah, I watched. It had skating in it.

I think it's compelling that Stars On Ice played for so many years around the world and started here in Canada and many people aren't even aware that it existed as this glamorous forerunner to a show like Battle Of The Blades which is so popular here today. One of my favourite parts of writing this blog is digging and finding these stories from another time that connect to the 'now' of skating. Skating's storied past deserves as much attention as we can give it and I for one would love to see something like this take center stage again in a more modern context.

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.

Interview With Kevin Reynolds

It simply wouldn't be Canada Month without an interview with Olympic Silver Medallist, Four Continents Champion and four time Canadian Medallist Kevin Reynolds. Following in the footsteps of 'quad king' Timothy Goebel (the first skater to land three quads in one program), Reynolds has certainly made some history of his own in the quad department. He's the first skater to have landed two quads in the short program and also the first to land five - yes FIVE! - quads in one competition, which he accomplished at the 2013 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Osaka, Japan. Reynolds, who has also represented Canada at four Junior World Championships and five senior World Championships, was so gracious to take the time from his off-season training to talk with me about his successes to date, the quad race, his fabulous hair, working with Joanne McLeod and a who's who of skating's greatest choreographers and his goals for the 2014/2015 season. Sit back, relax and enjoy a great read:

Q: Your career has been full of such wonderful successes. You've represented Canada at the Winter Olympics and five consecutive World Championships, won the Four Continents Championships, competed at both junior and senior Grand Prix events around the world and won four medals at the senior level at the Canadian Championships as well. Reflecting on everything so far, what are your proudest moments or most special memories?

A: I feel very fortunate to have had these opportunities to represent Canada. First, I would say competing at my first World Championships in 2010, as it was a special feeling to have been competing against all the best skaters in the world together for the first time. Being the first skater complete two quads in a short program was another milestone for me - I will never forget the rush I felt when it happened. Of course, winning the Four Continents Championships has to be one of my best memories. I achieved something that I could have only dreamed about when I was a kid. I will never forget the wave of emotion I felt after the long program, and hearing the national anthem played from the top of the podium. Lastly (despite the turmoil I experienced leading up to them)) the whole experience of the Olympic Games in Sochi was incredible. It was something I had imagined since I started my skating career and the experience certainly did not disappoint! From taking part in the opening ceremonies, to the thrill of winning a medal together with my long-time teammates - and all the lows and highs throughout the month - it made for an absolutely unforgettable experience.

Q: This past season you had to deal with losing the momentum you'd gained after a really strong season the year previous that saw you finish fifth at the World Championships because of skate programs that kept you sidelined for much of the pre-season and fall. How stressful was trying to 'cram' to get yourself back in the form you did to make it on that Olympic and World team and how are your skates working out for you now?

A: Needless to say, it was a difficult and frustrating year. It wasn't so much about cramming to get things ready - heavy training isn't a problem for me - it was more coming to terms with the fact that things weren't going to get any better (even after desperately trying everything I could) and that I would just have to grit my teeth and fight for the rest of the season. It was especially frustrating considering the success that I had in the previous season, and that these unprecedented problems were occurring during the crucial training period leading up to the Games. I don't want to think about the amount of stress that my team and I endured. It isn't something I want to remember. Now that the season has finished, we have had the time to fit the skates accurately and create a better fitting boot, without the stress and pressure of getting everything done quickly. The result is that I am now feeling good with my new equipment, and that hopefully, these problems will never plague me again in my career.

Q: Your arsenal of quads is simply cray. You landed your first one at fifteen and are now attempting (and often landing) more than one per program. How do you make them look so easy and what's your next technical challenge to yourself?

A: Our goal as skaters is to make things look easy, but I can tell you that it definitely isn't! The timing has come after years upon years of training, good teaching and a lot of personal motivation. Ever since I started watching skating on TV, I was in awe of quadruple jumps - the height, the speed of rotation, how spectacular they looked as a whole. I didn't know how at that age, but I told myself that one day I would do them as well. It's always been a dream of mine to do something that no other skater has done before. Now, I want to be the first skater to land a quadruple loop in competition. I am aware that there are other skaters who have tried and even landed it in practice, so my motivation in this post-Olympic season is higher than ever to be the first to do it in competition.

Q: You are coached by Joanne McLeod, who is regarded by many as one of Canada's top coaches. What makes your relationship with her work so well and what have you learned from choreographers you've worked with like Shae-Lynn Bourne, Lori Nichol and Tatiana Tarasova that has changed or improved your 'day to day skating'?

A: I think it is the trust between us. I started working with her when I was nine, so it's been quite the journey we've been on together. We've been there for each other through the best and the worst of times, and this has made our bond even stronger. I think our trust is a large part of what has helped us though the most difficult season in my career. It is thanks in no small part to her that I was able to reach this far in my career. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with many of the best choreographers in the world. I think everyone has, in their respective ways, contributed to my development both as a skater and as a performer. It wasn't limited to only these things of course, but to give some examples, I think that Tatiana taught me a lot about program construction, footwork, and performance skills. With Shae-Lynn, I was able to discover my love of performing. With Lori, I was able to learn about the details and nuances in my skating and performance. Everyone who I've worked with has given me valuable knowledge to which I can draw from when practicing at home, and also when competing.

Q: Looking forward to another season, what are your goals and what's next for you? What can you share about new programs?

A: I want to start the season off strong. There should be little to hold me back now. My goal is to medal at the Grand Prix events this autumn and in doing so, hopefully make the Grand Prix Final. I also want to win the National title this year. I would like to perform my programs this year to the best of my ability, which is something that I wasn't able to do last season. As for the program choices this year, I don't want to say just yet, but I have worked with Kenji Miyamoto recently on a new program, and I will soon be working again with Shae-Lynn Bourne.

Q: Everyone knows your hair is kickin'! If you had to offer one piece of 'hair advice' to just about everyone, what would it be?

A: (laughing) I can offer advice, but I don't know if many people would take it. I would say be yourself with it. There are so many styles to choose from! Try something that shows a bit of your personality. If we're talking about hair care, the more natural, the better. Stay away from cheap shampoos and conditioners which contain sulfates and other harsh industrial chemicals, and look for something that is certified organic by a third party.

 

Q: What is your favourite book, song and comfort food?

A: I don't have a particular book that is a favourite. Same as for songs. I listen to a variety of genres and artists - from classical to electro - but I wouldn't pick one song as a favourite. As for comfort food, my favourite recently has been Doria – a baked rice gratin. If you haven't heard of it, search it up! It's delicious.

Q: Who are your three favourite skaters of all time and why?

A: As a kid, I looked up to Evgeni Plushenko for his competitive spirit, jump technique, and desire to push the technical envelope. It was exciting and inspiring to watch the rivalry he had with Alexei Yagudin, and this motivated me even further to reach the top level. I never got to see her skate live, but I was in awe when watching videos of Midori Ito and I still am! She had an incredible amount of power to her skating, and of course, had a fantastic jumping ability. Her desire to succeed in the face of all odds inspired me as well. I also enjoy watching Mao Asada perform. Not only does she push the technical envelope, but she performs beautifully as well.

Q: What's one thing about you most people don't know?

A: I have Scottish and Ukrainian heritage.

Q: What do you love more than anything about being out on the ice?

A: The feeling of freedom. Well, actually, the feeling of spinning. I loved to spin and jump when I was a kid, and it's still my one of my favourite things about being on the ice. I also enjoy the freedom to express myself when I perform. I enjoy being able to take on different styles and characters that are different from the everyday me.

Skate Guard is a blog dedicated to preserving the rich, colourful and fascinating history of figure skating. Over ten years, the blog has featured over a thousand free articles covering all aspects of the sport's history, as well as four compelling in-depth features. To read the latest articles, follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. If you enjoy Skate Guard, please show your support for this archive by ordering a copy of figure skating reference books "The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating", "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" and "A Bibliography of Figure Skating": https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/p/buy-book.html.