Style On Ice Exclusive Interview: Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat

{Florence Lécrivain Photographe}


SOI: How does it feel to be European Champions?

NP: It's definitely a great feeling to be rewarded after 2 times being 4th at Europeans.
It was an amazing moment in Berne to earn this first medal in a championships- the most beautiful one ! We celebrated with our families, friends, team mates, and federation. I feel relieved and from now on everything that will happen will be a bonus. We are back to work, so we stop thinking everyday about this medal, instead we think about winning some others ones.

SOI: What does a typical day of training look like for you?

NP: We train almost 6 hours during the summer camp, plus physical training and ballet, but just before competition we spend only 2 hours on the ice. Not as long but more intense.

SOI: Why do you think training with Sasha has helped you pick up momentum?

NP: We wanted to work with Sasha because we were looking for another way to practice, to imagine and work ice dancing. He helps us a lot with all the skating skills, like the basics for example. The Russian mentality made us grow up. We are more strong and more confident on the ice, so we are able to put more feelings and expression in our routines.

{Ingrid Alcazar}


SOI: How do you like Moscow now that you've been there a few years? Are you speaking Russian now?

NP: We are very bad students about the Russian language. We can just say a few sentences. To excuse us our coaches, team-mates and friends speak always English or French with us. We appreciate Moscow especially because we know very nice people, but it's so cold !

SOI: What do you miss about not living in France?

NP: Food and warmer weather.

SOI: What do you think makes your partnership work so well?

NP: We know each other very well and we are very complementary, but above that, we want the same goal. We see ice dancing with only one point of view, but different ideas to achieve our goal so, it's a rich partnership. We insist on building our programs with our personalities and our choices. Even if we open our ears to someone else’s idea we participate 100%.

{Vandystadt}


SOI: What traits or qualities do you both bring to the partnership that makes you stand out from other dancers?

NP: I am very organized and always want to work more and I anticipate a lot.
Fabian is very creative, he just has so many ideas. What we love the most in this sport is the "art" dimension, and I think the audience can see it.

SOI: What skaters have inspired you, both past and present?

NP: The Duchesnay, no hesitation! Generally every Russian skaters in 1990's. Today, we prefer to enjoy one quality in a couple and then another one in somebody else. We create our perfect couple !

SOI: How do you spend your off-ice time?

NP: I’m almost finished with my master’s degree (I only have to make a internship during 6 months), and Fabian passed every theory exam in physiotherapy (he can't do more in distance). We just use all our time to enjoy our skater life, and believe me it's take a lot of time.

SOI: What do you see yourselves doing in ten years time?

NP: Fabian doesn't know right now. He is living in the present moment.

I imagine myself keeping a foot in the ice dancing world, like being judge or specialist. I would like also, to be living in Europe and having kind of a normal life.

SOI: What would you tell young skaters that view you both as role models?

NP: Fabian- Ice dancing is one of the most difficult sports because it's a very complete sport, it's between sport and art. You can perform, but you can also express yourself and become what you want to be!

Nathalie- Don't let down anything- never, because with passion and work you can go wherever you want. Plus, in this sport even if you don't win, you can always bring some joy to the audience.

SOI: What would you like to say to the growing number of fans that have fallen in love with your skating?

NP: Thank you so much for appreciating our work ! We are glad to bring you emotion on the ice and surprises too. The firsts reason we skate is because we love it and we love to see some smiles on faces in the audience ! You are a part to our inspiration, you give us the strength to go further. Enjoy ice dancing !

March 13th ISU Statement Regarding Worlds

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami13 Mar 2011 11:49

The ISU sympathizes deeply with the Japanese people in this monstrous natural disaster and extends its wishes of support and comfort to all those affected.Since the beginning of this crisis the ISU is monitoring the situation closely in cooperation with the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) who in turn is in contact with the competent and concerned Japanese authorities. The ISU has noted the JSF’s initial input regarding the situation in Tokyo and respected their initial desire to maintain the Championships as planned. However, the recent developments since Saturday, in particular the developments in the Fukushima nuclear plant are very worrisome and also resulted in travel advisories from many countries to avoid travelling to Japan until the situation is settled. The ISU continues to monitor the situation in cooperation with the JSF and the Japanese authorities in order to come to a conclusion as to maintaining or cancelling the Championships in Tokyo scheduled for next week. While the ISU is awaiting the declaration of the competent Japanese authorities that should be forthcoming shortly, the ISU will release a further statement as soon as possible but latest in the morning of Monday, March 14, 2011 (European time).

More On Japan...

It was only hours after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami hit Japan that the International Skating Union issued a statement saying "the local conditions will permit"' the figure skating union to "regularly conduct" the World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo, an event scheduled to begin with official practices March 20, which is a week from Sunday.

The ISU's assessment had me thinking of the way Shakespeare pilloried the amorality of such decisions.

"Thrift, thrift, Horatio!'' Hamlet says in Act I, Scene II of the eponymous play. "The funeral bak'd meats did coldly furnish forth the wedding tables.''

Hamlet is referring to the haste with which his mother remarried after the death of her husband, Hamlet's father.

Has the heartless irony of saving money even in a time of grief also clouded skating officials' brains?

Because there is no way to "regularly conduct'' a world championships while Japan will be burying its dead and likely still searching for its missing from the tragedy that struck the country Friday.

And it is time for skating officials to realize that.

Keep Reading Phil Hersh...

********************************************

PJ Kwong has posted on the topic here and From The Boards weighs in here.

Skating fans have a LOT to say, you can join a running discussion here.

Vintage Video: Barbara Ann Scott

Barbara Ann Scott, figure skater (b at Ottawa 9 May 1928). One of Canada's best-remembered athletes, Scott endeared herself to Canadians in winning the 1948 St Moritz OLYMPIC GAMES figure-skating title. At age 9, she had begun a daily 7-hour training routine; a year later, she became the youngest Canadian to earn a gold medal for figures. She was Canadian senior women's champion 1944-48, N American champion 1945-48, and European and world champion 1947-48. Her capture of the coveted Olympic gold medal on 6 Feb 1948 made her a celebrity; in Ottawa she was honoured by adoring crowds and showered with gifts; she was the object of endless media attention. Scott received the LOU MARSH TROPHY as Canada's athlete of the year in 1945, 1947 and 1948.

ISU Update on Japan Worlds

Earthquake, Tsunami in Japan11 Mar 2011 10:32

As you probably are aware an earthquake and a so defined Tsunami hit the territory of Japan today March 11, 2011.
The ISU received an e-mail message from the head office of the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) informing that one of their representatives had visited Yoyogi stadium and considered it suitable to host the World Figure Skating Championships 2010/11.
The said communication from the (JSF) informs that the situation in Tokyo is settled and seems to be in-line for conducting the Championships.
However the message of the head office of the JSF points out that the Narita Airport is closed.
Further information will be given to the ISU by the JSF, in the meantime the ISU wishes to remind that the ISU World Figure Skating Championships are scheduled to commence with the practice sessions on March 20, 2011.
The ISU, while expressing its sympathy to the Japan entities, is confident that the local conditions will permit to regularly conduct the Event.
The ISU is planning to issue another Communication in the next days.
Ottavio Cinquanta
ISU President

Style On Ice Skaters of the Day: Dube and Davison

Three-time Canadian Pair Champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison announced yesterday that they were ending their 9 year partnership.  Style On Ice wants to take a look back at this classic duo that won fans with their grace and determination.

Jessica Dube:

Dubé began skating at age four. She eventually took up pairs skating and teamed up with Bryce Davison in 2003. The two had a successful junior career before moving up to the senior level in 2005-6. They placed 10th at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and 7th at the World Championships that same season. She has also competed in singles skating. Her highest finish in the senior ladies' event at the Canadian Championships was 6th in 2008; internationally, she was a medalist at two junior Grand Prix events.

In the summer of 2006, Dubé suffered an injury in practice and was removed from the ice on a backboard; she had knee surgery in September. They trained both short and long programs for nationals, while Jessica also trained a short program for the singles event. They won their first national crown in Nova Scotia at the 2007 Canadian Championships. After an on-ice accident at the 2007 Four Continents Championships (see below), they made a comeback a month later at the World Championships, where they again finished seventh.

Dube and Davison had a breakthrough season in 2007-8. They won their first Grand Prix medals, including a gold at Skate America. They lost the national title to Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay, but two months later at the World Championships, they won the bronze medal after finishing second in the long program;^[1] they set personal best scores in each segment of the event and overall.

The next two seasons did not prove as successful, and while they regained and then defended their national title, the pair were unable to repeat their success at the World Championships. Their top placement during this time was a second place finish at the 2009 Four Continents Championships. Dube and Davison were part of Team Canada at the inaugural World Team Trophy in April 2009. In the 2009-10 Olympic season, they medalled at both Grand Prix events but did not qualify for the Grand Prix final. They were sixth at the Olympics and at Worlds.
Dubé and Davison withdrew from 2010 Skate Canada International after Davison suffered a knee injury.^[2] Davison underwent season-ending surgery to reattach a broken piece of bone.^[3] Davison may begin skating again after six months.
Dubé elected to compete as a singles skater in 2010-11.^[4] She qualified for Canadian Nationals, and competed in the ladies' event for the first time in three years, her last appearance being in 2008 when she finished 6th.^[5] Despite falling ill with a virus on the morning of the free skate, she skated to a 6th place finish in 2011.^[6]
Dubé and Davison ended their partnership in March 2011.^[7] Dubé intends to continue as a singles skater, though she has not ruled out returning to pair skating in the future.^[6] She also said she would like to study communications at university.^[

^{Bryce Davison:}

Davison began skating at age six. He competed with Jessie McNeil at the pre-novice^[1] and juvenile levels. They were the 2000 Canadian Juvenile national champions.^[2] He later competed with Claire Daugulis on the novice and junior levels.
Dubé and Davison teamed up in 2003, and competed successfully as juniors before moving to the senior ranks in 2005-6. They placed 10th at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and 7th at the World Championships a month later. They won their first national crown in Nova Scotia at the 2007 Canadian Championships, yielding comparisons to Jamie Salé and David Pelletier in the process (with whom they had worked just prior to Christmas).
In the summer of 2006, Dubé suffered an injury in practice and was removed from the ice on a backboard; she had knee surgery in September. She made a successful recovery and the pair won their first national title later that season. After an on-ice accident at the 2007 Four Continents Championships (see below), they made a comeback at the 2007 World Championships, where they again finished seventh.

Dube and Davison had a breakthrough season in 2007-8. They won their first Grand Prix medals, including a gold at Skate America. They lost the national title to Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay, but two months later at the World Championships, they won the bronze medal after finishing second in the long program;^[3] they set personal best scores in each segment of the event and overall.
The next two seasons did not prove as successful, and while Dubé and Davison won back and then defended their national title, their international results were not as good as in 2007-8; their best placement was a second place finish at the 2009 Four Continents Championships. In the 2009-10 Olympic season, they medalled at both Grand Prix events but did not qualify for the Grand Prix final. They were sixth at the Olympics and at Worlds.
Davison suffers from osteochondritis dissecans, which led to his sustaining a serious knee injury in practice in October 2010, forcing the pair to withdraw from the 2010 Skate Canada International.^[4] He later underwent surgery to reattach a broken piece of bone, which will cause him to miss the 2010-11 season.^[5][6] After staying off his feet for three months, Davison will begin three months of intensive physiotherapy, after which he may return to the ice.^[6]

Dubé and Davison ended their partnership in March 2011.^[7] Davison left open the possibility that he might continue skating if he finds the right partner.^[8] He is studying human anatomy and physiology through Athabasca University online courses.^[7]

Davison competed in singles until 2007. He is a member of the Hamilton Skating Club in Hamilton, Ontario

ISU Statement on Japan

ISU says Tokyo world figure skating venue intact

The International Skating Union says it has no plans to cancel the figure skating world championships in Tokyo, which is scheduled to begin on March 21.

Posted: Mar 11, 9:44a ET | Updated: Mar 11, 9:44a ET

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) - The International Skating Union says it has no plans to cancel the figure skating world championships in Tokyo, which is scheduled to begin on March 21.
ISU spokeswoman Selina Vanier tells The Associated Press that the Yoyogi National Stadium appears to be unscathed by an earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on Friday.
Vanier says Japanese Skating Federation officials have made "an initial assessment and there is no damage."
The stadium was built 50 years ago in the Shibuya district as a venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Vanier says the ISU would be in contact with Japanese officials before changing plans for the weeklong event.

Japan Devestation

Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone living and training in Japan.  Also to all of you with friends and family affected by today's devestation.  Many are wondering what will happen to Worlds' which are scheduled to begin in Japan in about ten days.  Follow the live discussion over at FSU

Vintage Video: Laurence Owen

Laurence (pronounced /lɔr'ɔːns/) Owen was born in Oakland and for the first eight years grew up in Berkeley, California. She was the second child of Guy Owen and Maribel Vinson and the younger sister of Maribel Owen. In 1952, shortly after the death of her father, her mother moved back to her girlhood home at 195 High Street in Winchester, Massachusetts with Laurie and her sister Maribel. Laurie went to Winchester Junior High School and then attended Winchester High School where she was an honor student and participated in several sports.^[1]
In 1956, Laurie won the Eastern Junior Ladies title and was unable to participate in the United States Championships that year because of a broken wrist. In 1958, she placed 3rd in the United States Figure Skating Championship Junior Ladies Division. In 1959, Laurie won the United States Figure Skating Championship Junior Ladies Division.^[2]
In January 1960, Laurie placed 3rd in the 1960 United States Figure Skating Championships and qualified for the 1960 Winter Olympics where she placed 6th. Her mother, the 1932 Winter Olympics Bronze Medalist and nine times US Singles Champion Maribel Vinson-Owen was her coach.
On January 29, 1961, Laurie won the 1961 United States Figure Skating Championships in Colorado Springs and won the 1961 North American Figure Skating Championships on February 12, 1961 in Philadelphia.^[3] After her victory at the US Nationals, she became a media sensation and was nicknamed "The Winchester Pixie".^[4] On February 13, 1961 she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine with a feature story that called her "America's most exciting girl skater."^[5]
On January 28, 2011 Laurence Owen was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame along with the entire 1961 World Team. Her sister Maribel Owen also was inducted and her mother Maribel Vinson Owen was inducted for a third time in 2011; in her capacity as a 1961 World Team Coach. Previously, her mother has been inducted in the inaugural Class of 1976 as a singles skater and for a second time in 1994 as a pairs skater.^[6]
On February 17, 2011 the U.S. Figure Skating Association released the documentary film entitled "Rise 1961". The movie chronicled the relationship between Laurence and her mother, the tragedy in the skies over Belgium and the rebirth of the United States Figure Skating Team from the ashes of Sabena Flight 548.

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Style On Ice Skater of the Day: Kurt Browning

Born in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and raised in Caroline, Alberta, Browning is a four-time Canadian figure skating champion and four-time World Champion. He represented Canada in three Winter Olympics, 1988 (finishing 8th overall), 1992 (6th) and 1994 (5th), and was given the privilege of carrying the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies of the 1994 games in Lillehammer, Norway. Browning's other achievements are numerous, including three Canadian Professional Championships, three World Professional Championships, a Lou Marsh Trophy for top Canadian Athlete (in 1990), Lionel Conacher Award winner (1990 and 1991), Order of Canada recipient (in 1990), an American Skating World Professional Skater of the Year Award (in 1998), and a Gustav Lussi Award from the Professional Skaters' Association (in 2001).
On March 25, 1988, at the 1988 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Browning landed the first quadruple jump ever in competition.^[1] This accomplishment is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Browning is also known for his footwork.
He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and Canada's Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000. He was honoured with a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in 2001. He also appeared in the 2006 Fox television program Skating with Celebrities. Starting in 2009, he is the co-host of Battle of the Blades.

As a professional skater, Browning has had a long rivalry with Brian Boitano. At the 2006 Ice Wars competition, Browning narrowly defeated Boitano.

Browning married Sonia Rodriguez, a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, on June 30, 1996. Their first son, Gabriel, was born on July 12, 2003 and their second son, Dillon, was born on August 14, 2007.

* More Wiki info  here

* For all things Kurt head over to The Kurt Files.

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