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APRIL 2021

NATHAN CHEN CAPTURES FIFTH NATIONAL TITLE

TRIO OF NATIONS Crown New Champions

ALEXA KNIERIM & A WINNING COMBINATION

SEASON of CANADIAN SK ACTEHRSA ALLLL ERNEVGVEEDS UP WITH NO PLACE TO GO

Aljona Savchenko’s remarkable journey to international stardom and, ultimately, the top step of an Olympic podium was one of determination and a relentless pursuit for perfection. The Quest For Olympic Glory With &

A fascinating story of fearless perseverance to be the best in the world, what took place behind “Who is afraid the scenes, and the obstacles of the wolf does Aljona Savchenko not go into the overcame to forest.” finally claim an

—Aljona Savchenko Olympic crown.

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NOW AVAILABLE AS AN EBOOK @IFSMAGAZINE.COM Contents 24 Features

VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 2 |APRIL 2021

ALEXA KNIERIM & 6 BRANDON FRAZIER A Winning Combination

YUZURU HANYU 12 Takes a Fresh Approach F F E

SEASON OF CHALLENGES D A 16 Y

Canadian Skaters All Revved Up A J / G

With No Place to Go N I T A K S

E R U

G I

F

. Ê S . U ON THE NATIONAL PRIDE Y

COVER S 24 E U.S. Skaters Light up Las T R U

Vegas; Chelyabinsk Challenges; O C

: O

Nagano Triumphs T O H P

A CREATIVE FORCE 36 French Choreographer Benoît Richaud Finds His Niche 6

INVESTING IN AN 47 INCLUSIVE FUTURE U.S. Honors Departments

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The Russian ladies dominated the Jump Festival held on Feb. 5 in . , Kamila Valieva, and collected 1million rubles (US$13,400) in prize money.

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 3 A Brighter World on the Horizon

new year has brought with it many bright glimmers of As we go to print, the 2021 World Championships remain on the hope that the world is getting back on track, with many ISU calendar. A final decision will be made March 1 on whether the sporting events taking place globally, including a number competition will be held. No spectators will be permitted to attend and of figure skating competitions. Sweden is sourcing volunteers from within its borders. Likewise, the It is undeniable that the Russian Figure Skating World Team Trophy in is still on track to take place in late April. TFederation has been a major force in keeping the sport in the forefront, Yuzuru Hanyu returned to competition after a 10-month absence, live streaming all of its competitions to keep the world engaged. The winning his fifth national title in late December. He spoke to the press innovative concept of a team event, which took place in early February, at the championships and we have a full recap on what he has been was one I thoroughly enjoyed. It also held a ladies versus men jump doing and what his plans are for the season ahead. competition that was a lot of fun to watch, even though it was a given At the end of this issue you will find a full list of competitions for before it started which side would be victorious. The men were certainly 2021, which includes the time schedule for Worlds, the senior and junior no match for their female counterparts. Grand Prix Series, the Olympic qualifier and the rescheduled test event. While many other countries have held national championships, No television schedules are available at this time, as networks were the Canadian skaters have had no competitions in a year, other than still awaiting the final decision on the World Championships. the virtual 2021 Challenge, which aired online in early For the latest updates and information please connect with us on January. Originally slated as the qualifying event for nationals, the Facebook or visit our website at ifsmagazine.com. championships was cancelled before both segments of Challenge had aired. It has been a frustrating time for the nation’s elite skaters, many Warmest regards, of whom will close out their careers in 2022 — and would like to do so on the highest note possible. However, not having competed for a year Susan D. Russell has left many feeling they are now behind the eight ball, so to speak. Publisher

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APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 5 Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier

ALEXA KNIERIM AND BRANDON FRAZIER, who teamed up less than a year ago, have had a golden run so far this season. They claimed the 2020 title in their competitive debut in October and captured the 2021 U.S. national crown in January.

BY TATJANA FLADE PHOTO: ROBIN RITOSS hey have been in the now without partners gave rise to much voice that she was just as enthusiastic top echelons of the U.S. speculation about a possible pairing of and excited as I was to potentially have pairs program for many Knierim and Frazier. Five days after a tryout.” years. Competing with Denney and Frazier announced the end The tryout took place in March, just as different partners, Alexa of their partnership, Knierim and Frazier the COVID-19 pandemic was starting TKnierim and Brandon announced the beginning of theirs. to take hold in the U.S. Both said from Frazier had shared a “When Alexa and Chris’ journey ended, the first moment they took each other’s long-time rivalry. All that changed a year it was literally just weeks before Haven hands, it felt good and it felt right. “When ago when their respective partnerships and I ended ours,” Frazier recalled. “I was we did our first lap of crossovers, there was came to an end. the first one to reach out to Alexa to talk some kind of immediate bond,” Knierim Scimeca, as she was known at the time, about the idea of a tryout. recalled. “That was all I needed to feel to joined forces with in 2012. “But first I had to figure out if I wanted know it was going to work — and that Married in 2016, the couple claimed three to keep going because, after Haven and I was way before we even started doing national titles (2015, 2018 and 2020) and were done, there was a two-week period elements.” were part of the bronze-medal team at the when I was leaning towards retiring. Due to rink closures in California, the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South duo was not able to start working until Korea. late spring. “Around the beginning of Often struggling to find consistency, June we went to a rink — not our home the duo finished 15th in the pairs event in rink — where the ice was quite crowded PyeongChang and repeated the result a We knew when and we had very limited hours. It was month later at the World Championships. hard for us to get some good quality work In 2019, they finished seventh at the U.S. we teamed up done there,” Knierim said. “When our Championships before reclaiming their rink opened, Great Park Ice (in Irvine, national title in 2020. people were going California), they were very gracious and Frazier and his former pairs partner we were able to log some consistent ice began their careers as to expect big time. roller skaters before switching to figure elements “Then, probably from about mid-July, skating in 2004. They teamed up in 2005 early August, we had a pretty consistent but split three years later. Reunited in because we and safe environment at Great Park where 2011, they claimed the World Junior title we could train five or six days a week. It in 2013. had them with has been open since then, but if there After missing the entire 2015-2016 were any restrictions they have given us season while Denney recovered from a our previous priority to keep training along with Rafael knee injury, the duo captured the 2017 partners. Arutyunyan’s camp.” U.S. national title. They finished in Though Knierim and Frazier felt good 20th place in the short program at the about their partnership from the outset, it subsequent World Championships and was not an easy transition. In many ways, did not qualify for the free skate. they were starting from scratch. Both partnerships came to an end in —Alexa Knierim “I am very grateful for the journey I early 2020. The Knierims withdrew from had with Haven and it will always hold a the long program at the Four Continents When I say leaning, I mean I almost had special place in my heart,” said Frazier. “It Championships, and on Feb. 26 Chris both feet on the side of preparing to start has helped me to move on to what is in Knierim announced he was retiring from a whole new chapter outside of the world front of me now.” competitive skating. Alexa Knierim, of competitive skating.” Knierim agreed. “When you look at the however, wanted to continue and said she Frazier gave his future considerable past it is always going to have a special would look for a new partner. thought before making a final decision. In place in your heart that nothing can On March 25, Denney and Frazier the back of his mind, a thought lingered: replace or change, but you still can build announced the end of their nine-year “What if Alexa is available and would new, special memories after that, which partnership. “Haven and I have known want to try out. If she is open to that it won’t take away from what you had before. each other our whole lives. You establish would be my last chance to make a run “My transition to skating with Brandon a connection with your partner when you at competitive skating,” he explained. “For was maybe a little bit easier on the are competing and that always grows into me, I love the sport so much and that is emotional side because I was fortunate to a strong bond,” Frazier explained. why I took so long. have the familiarity of Chris at the rink, as “Whenever a chapter ends — even if it “It was not easy to think about the well as my coaching team and my home. S S is time to move on — it is very emotional. direction I would take after Haven and “Of course, it is different not skating O T I R

It was difficult at first, but everything does I were done. It was a very emotional and with somebody that you know every single N I B O

happen for a reason and the timing was hard time in my life. Though I was the part of, but it’s also kind of cool because R

: O exactly when it needed to be.” one who took the initiative, when Alexa you start to learn more about yourself. T O H That two top U.S. pairs skaters were and I started talking I could hear in her There is so much depth and so many P

8 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 layers that we can develop together. I am learning a lot about myself as I learn about Brandon that maybe I would not have discovered if I didn’t take this journey with him. So, of course, it is very hard to say goodbye to something you know so well, but it is even more exciting to say hello to something new, especially when it seems to be working very well.” Frazier and Chris Knierim have been friends since the early days of their careers, when both trained in Colorado Springs. Frazier now appreciates the support they receive from Chris, who is also part of their coaching team. “The way he supports Alexa is the most genuine, authentic love and support you will see. You could think that maybe it is uncomfortable to watch your wife or your partner — or both — skate with someone new, but Chris genuinely has been nothing but supportive. You can tell he wants only happiness for Alexa and he is very supportive of me. He helps me out a lot on and off the ice. “To see Chris get so excited and involved, you can tell that this is the perfect example of what true support should look like. People don’t see that behind the closed doors, but it is remarkable to see and it is very cool to experience.” Even though Knierim and Frazier are both veteran pairs competitors in their own right, both admitted that adjusting to certain aspects of the new arrangement took time. “The explosive elements have a very, very different technique between the two of us,” Knierim explained. “We knew when we teamed up people were going to expect big elements because we had them with our previous partners. “But when we first started trying things together, it was like two people speaking two languages that are similar but not the same — you can’t quite understand everything that they are saying and doing, but you kind of know. “Specifically, the throws and twist took a long time to figure out. Brandon had to take on the role of changing his technique for the throws for my benefit, and I was so grateful

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 9 was just uncomfortable — just like me learning the throw flip was uncomfortable. But Alexa and I didn’t stress out. We worked very well together and utilized our experience with that particular element and that comfort zone to help each other. We are both very open to listening and adapting. “I do think a lot of it comes from the fact that, as Alexa said, when we first held hands and started skating together, it felt natural. We know when we work together things will click. So there has been a lot of give and take for both of us on certain elements. For me, I am very open to learning new things in general as a person. It has that he was able to adjust and kind of on the throws. I was very open to it, but kind of helped my own personal skating, break everything that he once knew to I was really proud of Alexa being open just learning a different type of timing on make it comfortable for me. to new ideas with lifts and trying things certain things.” “We are fortunate to have Chris in the outside her comfort zone on the lifting While Knierim and Frazier were still process because he could show Brandon portion,” Frazier said. developing their technical plan, they how he threw me just a few months “When we first started learning one of started moving ahead with respect to earlier, and I could go back and forth our most difficult lifts, I remember she getting new programs. They turned to between the two guys and really feel what former ice dancer Renée Roca, who had was different much quicker than trying choreographed many of Denney and to translate it into words. I think that is Frazier’s programs in the past — and of what helped expedite the process of our which Knierim had always been a huge success with the throws. I was really fan. Roca being based in California also “Brandon also had to learn the throw made it easier to work together in times flip because he only did edge throws. That proud of Alexa of travel restrictions. is something that is still new for him and “It was kind of a blessing that I was there is great pride for him taking on that being open to really excited and open to try a new task.” choreographer and Brandon having Other elements were easier to new ideas with somebody that he admired and loved master. The jumps came fairly quickly lifts and trying working with before,” said Knierim, 29. as both have a similar skating style and “So, when we took on Renée as our

technique. Though they are still ironing choreographer, she kind of helped and F

things outside F E out the timing and tracking, both found directed us with music choices, but I think D A

Y A that transition relatively simple. The spins her comfort we had a similar vision for the short. We J / G N were also very easy for them in the early wanted something strong. Brandon and I I T A

zone on the K days, but Knierim believes the thing they started talking about music after our two- S

E R share the most is their love for skating, day tryout, before we even knew how we U G lifting portion. I F which helped them achieve success so would look on the ice.” . S . U

rapidly. The duo chose “In the End,” performed Y S E T

Their recipe for that success was also by Tommee Profitt, and “Too Far Gone” R U O C fueled by the fact that both partners by Hidden Citizens for the short : S O were open to change and ready to learn program. They felt the storyline behind T O H something new. “I know I adjusted a lot —Brandon Frazier the lyrics spoke to them as both had P

10 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 wondered if they were too far gone in ethic, and that has been the core for “No matter how consistent and good their lives and careers “to make something how we have been developing and how you are, you need that experience,” said great” of themselves. “That’s kind of the we will continue to develop. It is just Frazier, 28. “The advantages are that inspiration behind the lyrics in the short every day showing up, not thinking too because we started our partnership so program,” Knierim explained. much about what lies around the corner; late in the year due to the COVID-19 Frazier suggested the music for the work hard and put in the hours — this restrictions at our rink, and because free: “Fall on Me” performed Alexa and I had so much work to by and Matteo do, it gave us additional time to not Bocelli. “When we chose feel so stressed out about getting this music, we played around programs done or having to travel at with it, and moved around the beginning of August.” on the ice together — we just Frazier also feels the virtual kind of messed around and it monitoring by U.S. officials was felt right,” Knierim recalled. helpful. “When we went to Skate “Not many people have used America, it helped us by looking at it before and I also thought it as just another virtual monitoring that that style of music was performance,” he explained. “It not something I had seen was more of a slow transition into Brandon do too much of. It is performing live from what we were more lyrical and a softer piece, doing at home — rather than boom, but also very big and grand. I in front of a crowd of a couple of wanted to see this side of his thousand people. That could have skating highlighted because I been a little overwhelming.” knew he could move so well. “We gained a lot of time without “I’ve been so excited to having to travel,” Knierim added. watch him grow throughout “When you travel, you lose two this whole season. The way he or three days and then when you moves on the ice is so genuine come home, you are emotionally and authentic and it has exhausted. allowed me to perform even “It really disrupts the momentum better because I feed off it. and, as I said, to not have those Throughout the whole season, obligations gave us a lot of steady, whenever it was possible, consistent time to really develop. So Renée would come to Irvine I saw that as a positive. The biggest and polish or fix things that disadvantage was not being able needed a little tweaking. That to log the ISU points (for the ISU has been a great tool for us World Ranking).” and I think it has helped us Though current times remain progress faster by having her uncertain, there is one thing Knierim there every week or every two and Frazier know for sure: They are or three weeks. She did travel just getting started. Both believe the for the ‘Battle of the Blades’ long-term goal at this point has to for a little bit, but she also be kept simple and they will keep studied a lot of the videos we competing as long as they continue sent her and gave us feedback.” is what we know we need to do to get to love it and remain competitive. In a season that has been so different, better and better. On top of that, we have “It’s hard to say what our goals are U.S. nationals was only the second “live” so many great people in our corner that right now, especially as we are still so competition for the new team, with do everything they can for us. We are so new,” said Frazier. Skate America in October being the first. thankful to have them to help speed up “Obviously, we want to go to the 2022 Nonetheless, Knierim and Frazier were the gelling process of this team.” Games in more than anything. well prepared, for which they credit their The shortage of competitions has This is why we came together. That is coaching team of , had advantages and disadvantages the first goal on our list, I would say. and Chris, along with Arutyunyan and for Knierim and Frazier. One of the Checking off a national title feels great, Christine Binder. “We have a great team. biggest drawbacks is not having had the but more than anything we just want to We have so many good people helping us, opportunity to gain more competition keep pushing and striving for more and and that goes such a long way,” Frazier experience to see how their programs to inspire others. said. score internationally, what they could be “We have done a good job of that in a “The one thing I value in Alexa as doing better and just getting that feeling short period of time, but we can do much a partner is she shares the same work of competing under their belt. more.” IFS

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 11 YUZURU HANYU BY SUSAN D. RUSSELL

It had been 10 months since Yuzuru Hanyu last took to the ice for a competition. The 26-year-old closed out last season with a resounding victory at 2020 Four Continents and, along with that, ILJHTL [OL ÄYZ[ THU to complete the Grand :SHTPUÄN\YLZRH[PUN The Japanese star has won everything there is to win — including back-to- back Olympic crowns — so what, you might ask, drives Hanyu to continue competing? w A Fresh Approach

hen the COVID-19 it into words, but it’s difficult to explain. Doubts gripped me, but then I started pandemic became At last year’s Grand Prix I was on my thinking back to past programs and all a reality in North own and I realized for the first time how that I have accomplished so far. I think America in mid- difficult that is. During this time, I felt having a coach is an incredibly important March and the 2020 alone and tired and I didn’t want to be thing, insofar as being able to provide World Champion- alone anymore. Then, when I watched new points of view and ones outside of Wships were cancelled, Yuzuru Hanyu “Haru yo, Koi” (an exhibition routine he your own. But on the flipside, as I have returned to his Japanese homeland. As an debuted in the 2017-2018 season) and an abundant amount of experience it is asthmatic, he knew he would be at high other past programs, I realized that I easier for me to have a more objective risk if he caught the virus. needed to go back to the rink.” point of view about things.” In the months following his departure Training on his own every day without The Japanese star said not having any from Canada, there had been no a coach, Hanyu initially found it a distractions allowed him to focus on information or updates about what he challenge to stay in shape. He also went training and that it was “not just better was doing, whether he was training, or if through a phase of feeling that everything training, but the best training so far” and he intended to continue competing. The he was doing was pointless. that even though he worked out a lot first news came just a week before the of things on his own, he continued to national championships in late December, connect with those around him. when the line-ups were announced and “Over a very long period of time — Hanyu’s name was on the men’s roster. until the end of October or the beginning Though he chose not to compete at I put myself under of November — I wasn’t able to do the NHK Trophy in November because triple Axel. I recorded my training, sent of his concerns about the coronavirus, it to the coaches and got a lot of advice when it came to the 2020 All Japan pressure because from afar. I am very grateful for that. Championships he had no choice. If he That is how I was able to get through this wanted a place on the 2021 World team, I wanted to train difficult time.” he would have to compete to earn one. And so it was, with reluctance and the Axel, but STYLISTIC CHANGES mixed emotions, that Hanyu headed to His short program this season, set to the Nagano in late December with the goal it made my other pop rock tune “Let Me Entertain You,” of capturing his fifth national title. and his rhinestone-studded costume are a “To be honest, my way of thinking jumps worse and I departure from the style Hanyu typically hasn’t changed. Personally, I always think prefers. about not getting infected in everything was in pain. “I can’t say too much about the I do,” Hanyu said. “After the number of costume. The song is by infected people rose sharply in the form so it should be rocking in the first place of a third wave, I thought a lot about and I wanted to match his image,” Hanyu whether I should really perform. But since “The pressure of having to train alone; explained. Four Continents was cancelled, I had to to work out the choreography on my “ chose the piece. participate in the national championships own; wanting to meet the expectations Originally, I wanted to go with a piano to be able to qualify for Worlds.” of my audience … everyone seemed to melody, but we did not find what we Hanyu said he had spent the previous have improved and only I was left in were looking for. Jeffrey suggested two or 10 months at home with his family, and the same place alone,” he explained. “I three songs, but couldn’t really convince had avoided going out or meeting with saw how much better Shoma (Uno) and me. Seeing how difficult these times are, L L

E anyone beyond his immediate household. Yuma (Kagiyama had gotten and I felt I wanted to have an uplifting piece. After S S U

R “Usually I’m in Toronto and it’s not like an old man. I was really afraid of only all, everyone is watching despite the

. D

N often that my whole family is able to get getting worse. circumstances, which is why I wanted to A S

U together and spend time. “I put myself under pressure because I bring a little light into their lives. S

: O

T “Because of the coronavirus, I was on wanted to train the quad Axel, but it made “I got the basics of the step sequences, O H

P my own for a long time. I want to put my other jumps worse and I was in pain. but then changed the positions a little

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 13 bit and thought up the arm movements earth below. program as well — I want to reflect a rock myself. Regarding the jumps, I told “Then the part with the Biwa (a feel, of course, but I want to convey that in Jeffrey where I would like to incorporate Japanese short-necked lute) begins. This a smarter way like Robbie Williams does. each one. I asked him a lot of questions, was part of the actual piece of music. It It is rock music, but it is more ‘English.’ I but he didn’t always answer, so I mostly symbolizes that I actually don’t want to don’t know how to describe it. Anyway, I decided by myself. I like the push and fight, but have to in order to protect my still want to work on it.” pull feel of the program. I put a lot of loved ones. thought into it and tried a lot of things, “The song is full of determination, like REGAINING MOMENTUM as I really wanted to make each element I am going to fight, or filled with a sense It had been five years since Hanyu special. That includes the jumps, where I of preparing for battle. collected the last of four consecutive breathe, and other technical aspects. “At the end, after the , the national titles. “I tried to take highlights of past Biwa sound while I am spinning is one I He withdrew each of the three programs, but in this program I put included from a different piece of music subsequent seasons due to injury or a lot of emphasis on matching the and layered it to make it original. illness and finished second in 2019. “Last choreography to the song. Although I “I wanted to incorporate typical season I was not so good and my result prepared the program mainly by myself, Japanese elements with traditional was very frustrating. I wanted to do better which was very exhausting, I think I was instruments and the Biwa was best suited this time,” he said. able to grow from it and I had a lot of for this.” “Something happened after the Grand people who supported me. Prix and Japanese nationals last season. I “Accordingly, I am very happy with the had the feeling that I had not improved, result and I am grateful to the coaches for that I had not fought enough. I felt like believing in me.” I wasn’t really growing, that I was slowly Hanyu turned to another Canadian to I had a lot of doubts, becoming unable to fight. I believed I had design his free skate. Shae-Lynn Bourne, been too tired to fight. who has choreographed a number of but I realized that “For a moment, I thought I had his programs over the years, crafted the become tired of competing and I could routine to Isao Tomita’s “Heaven and the best way to get probably give up at any point. I could Earth.” always quit, but there are many people “For me, the piece means a lot. It rid of them was to who support me who would certainly be awakens a lot of feelings in me. This very disappointed if I did that. I had a lot is a story that inspired me and it is a compete, which is of doubts, but I realized that the best way story that I want to pass on to my fans. to get rid of them was to compete, which I incorporated many elements that are why I want to is why I want to continue. important, but most of all the emphasis “It was important to me that I didn’t is on my jumps,” the two-time Olympic continue. give up in times like these. It would have champion explained. been disrespectful to my coach not to give “I want to show with my jumps what my best. Unlike last year, I’m also now in I feel at that moment and pass that on good physical shape.” to the spectators. But for me, the most Hanyu also added a koto (a 13-stringed Returning to Nagano was like coming important thing is to leave it up to the harp-like instrument) because he full circle for Hanyu. It was there, in 2014, spectators as to what they feel and see wanted to make the program even more that he won his third national crown, and during my performance.” ‘Japonesque.’ the following season also claimed his Hanyu’s long program represents the “I developed many different versions of first NHK Trophy title in that city. “I Battle of Kawanakajima, which took the piece, but since I’m not a professional have good memories of Nagano, so I was place in 1561, between two feudal lords, musician, I just adapted it to the step afraid of having a bad experience because Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, sequences and the choreography. of a misstep,” he said. who fought for control of a plain in “The way Kenshin fought and his “At that time, it was always very difficult the Shinaro province that is part of the philosophy touched me deeply. My for me and I couldn’t imagine that life present-day city of Nagano. situation is similar and I could identify experiences could positively influence “The beginning of the piece was Shae’s with him. Fighting and still not winning figure skating. But now I understand idea. I imagine that I am fighting and you can say is painful, so I am somewhat that, and I am glad to have finally gained my front arm is the armor of a samurai,” influenced by Kenshin’s overall sense of enough experience as a veteran to be able Hanyu explained about his opening values about battles. to bring it into my programs. pose. “I used the title of the taiga drama “I like everything about my program, “There were problems in the short and, ‘Ten to Chi to’ (a long running Japanese but I am happiest about the fact that I honestly speaking, neither performance television series). But for me, it is ‘Ten to mastered my jumps without having to use I could call perfect,” Hanyu said with chi no hito’ (a man between heaven and too much energy, and that I developed respect to his performances in Nagano. earth). My arm is the transition between my own way of expressing myself. “But I feel very reassured about the long where I am, and the sky above and the “I want to adopt that for my short program, and I think those who watched

14 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 feel reassured that I can do an original performance, and that the way I trained was right. I think I’ve found a training method that is suitable for my current It was important body condition — one that helps me grow — so I’d like to keep refining it that I did not give up further. I hope that I can continue without injuries while challenging in times like these. harder jumps.” Hanyu intends to continue working on the quad Axel, and his goal remains to land it in competition. “In this current situation, it feels like my reason for training and the reason for wanting to keep skating could vanish, so that is why I am still pushing ahead against the impregnable wall. I want to look beyond that wall to where there are no other walls. I think that may be the only reason I am able to skate in this current situation.” At this time, however, Hanyu is focused solely on his plan to include four quads in his long program, which he believes will give him a strong foundation to include a quad Axel at a later stage. “For now, making that go well should be the only thing I think about. Improving my body and my technical and physical fitness is definitely something I think I know best. In the last year I have gone through a lot of trial and error. I want to utilize that and put in the work in training to improve the technical aspects needed to rotate and land a quad Axel.”

FUTURE PLANS Hanyu said he has not made a decision about whether he will return to his Toronto training base once the pandemic situation improves. He is also not thinking about the 2022 sympathies are mostly with the doctors, Japan’s . His graduation Olympic Winter Games at this point. “It people who have lost their jobs and are ceremony, which was modified due to the is my personal opinion that as the current suffering financial difficulties because of pandemic, took place on Nov. 20. situation caused the postponement of the the coronavirus. Hanyu’s dissertation was on the 2020 Olympics and the violence “My problems are very minor in Application and Prospects for the Future of the coronavirus has not subsided, we comparison. I realized how lucky I am of Motion Capture Technology in Figure are not in a position to be thinking about to be able to figure skate and that figure Skating. “Doing research taught me the Winter Olympics. skating is something special that brings how to examine something in a multi- “I would like the Olympics to go ahead me joy. I am very happy to have this faceted manner through analysis and and of course I would like to win. It is privilege. verification,” he explained. the ultimate goal of competition for me. “For me, figure skating is the only way “I want to open doors, not just in S S

O Therefore, I’ve personally stopped myself to express my feelings, and for this reason, competition, but also in the field of T I R from thinking about the Olympics and I no longer want to compete for everyone research. I hope that this will be useful in N I B

O shut down my thoughts about that right else, but mainly for myself.” helping athletes improve their techniques R

: O

T now. In early September, Hanyu graduated and contribute to the development of O

H IFS P “It’s been a very stressful year, and my from the School of Human Sciences at figure skating.”

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 15 They have watched with envy as their counterparts in other regions of the skating world had opportunities to glide back onto the competitive stages — sometimes even with spectators in the stands. National championships have been successfully held in recent months in major skating nations such as , Japan, France and the , even if it did require a delicate dance of sorts in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Figure skaters in Canada, however, have mostly cooled their heels throughout the 2020-2021 season. A fall of frustration turned into a winter of discontent, as event after event dropped by the wayside. All the while accompanied by a question that no doubt rang constantly in their minds: Why not us?

Madeline Schizas A

SEAoSf ON CHALLENGES All Revved Up With No Place to Go

BY ROBERT BRODIE

he answer to that question, as with anything to you and say it is not disappointing because of course it is. The that has to do with the pandemic, is not simply circumstances are out of anyone’s control, for sure,” said Kirsten cut and dried. But this truth is undeniable — Moore-Towers, the two-time Canadian pairs champion with elite Canadian skaters have been starved for live . “We are sort of in the final years of our career competition, and some of them may go 18 months and we want to compete and compete in a way that we are used without one. While that thought seems almost to — with a crowd and things that make it exciting for us. uTnfathomable, it is the sad reality in the land of the maple leaf. “A virtual event is great and we are glad to have done it, but we Let us quickly run through the tale of woe: miss the fans and the interaction, being able to make eye contact with judges and having the closure of finishing your performance • Autumn Skate International in September 2020. and seeing your scores. Cancelled. “It is super bizarre. That is not to say we’re not glad that we • Skate Canada International in October 2020. Cancelled. have these (virtual) opportunities, but it sucks, for sure … to put • Canadian Championships in January 2021. First moved it eloquently.” to February, then cancelled outright for the first time For the majority of the Canadian national team, their last major since 1943 — during wartime 78 years ago. opportunity to compete in front of judges and an audience came in early February 2020 at the Four Continents Championships Only the 2021 Skate Canada Challenge, a qualifier for in Seoul, . nationals, was presented for skating fans across the country to The World Championships were set for Montréal about five watch. And that was a virtual affair, in which skaters recorded weeks later — the first time the sport’s premier annual event L L E

S and submitted videos of their programs back in November and would be held in Canada since 2013. But it became one of the S U R

. December, and then had them judged live in competition format first major casualties of the pandemic, when the global sports D

N over two weekends in early January. world shut down completely in just a matter of days. A S U S

At least it was something for the skaters involved, a goal to In the case of Worlds, it was the Québec provincial government : S O

T work toward. But it hardly satisfied their thirst for something … that cancelled the Championships. O H

P well, close to normal. It was an abrupt end to the season, but the far-reaching “We are trying to be grateful and be present, but we can’t lie effects of the pandemic were only beginning to extend their

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 17 grip. Arenas across the country were shuttered, but the period of time of that closure depended upon where you lived.

PROVINCIAL RESTRICTIONS In , the country’s most populous province, skaters did not return to the ice until the beginning of summer, often training in small, restricted groups of varying sizes, and under strict pandemic protocols. , meanwhile, ordered its arenas closed near the end of 2020, leaving no indoor training opportunities. But, in British Columbia, rinks re-opened in May 2020 and have operated almost without interruption since then. “We have been very lucky in B.C. We were only shut down for the first couple of months of COVID. Our rinks have been pretty much open from May until now,” said , the executive director of Skate Canada BC, whose section was to be the host of the 2021 Canadian Championships in Vancouver. “So our skaters here were really well prepared, they were really in good shape and were really excited to skate at nationals. “They were very disappointed because they were ready. But they understood that in Québec, Ontario and Alberta — those three provinces in particular — skaters were not on the ice and it was going to be a very uneven playing field.” Perhaps more than anything, it is the patchwork of COVID-19 restrictions that has impacted Canadian skaters’ ability to compete — or more accurately, not compete — over the past several months. While there are ongoing federal guidelines, public health in Canada falls under provincial jurisdiction, meaning all 10 provinces and three territories determine their own level of restrictions. “It has been very challenging. Canada has managed the COVID-19 crisis in a very different way than it has been managed in other parts of the world,” said Debra Kirsten Moore-Towers Armstrong, Skate Canada’s CEO. and Michael Marinaro “We don’t have to look far; we

18 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 just have to look across our border to see “You are kind of lost because you know edged sword.” that our neighboring country to the south how hard the work is, but when you The lack of competitive opportunities (the U.S.) has managed things very, very understand what the prize is — going — and the uncertainty created by the differently. Without a doubt, our athletes to a World Championship or a Junior pandemic — was the driving factor for have been more challenged to keep their Grand Prix or whatever — and you the virtual presentation of the 2021 Skate training regular, quite frankly. have that prize in front of you, you don’t Canada Challenge. Barton, who hosted “The restrictions across this country mind the work,” said Barton, well-known the online competition, said “a number have been significant. No one has been globally as the online commentator for of months” of work went into putting without disruption, and some have been the Junior Grand Prix Series. “But when all the technical elements of the event significantly disrupted by the way their there is no prize in front of you, then you together so it would at least have the feel (provincial) government has managed it.” wonder ‘why work?’ It was a really tough of a competition for both the athletes year for them, for sure.” involved and the audience that tuned in. CHALLENGING TIMES Only one Canadian national team “For what we had to deal with, I was There was hope, as the pandemic member, , was able pretty pleased that it still felt like a weakened somewhat over the summer to compete during the fall season — competition,” said Barton. “It’s not what months and restrictions were eased, that and that was only because he has dual people want, it is not what we need, competitions might be able to happen in citizenship and lives and trains in Alaska. it is not what the future is but for the the fall. Messing wound up bringing home a current situation, the response we had But then came the postponement (and bronze medal from Skate America, one from athletes and coaches was that they eventual cancellation) of Autumn Classic of four Grand Prix competitions held this were thrilled with it. That is what matters International and, eventually, the Grand fall with mainly home-country entries, as to me, that the athletes and coaches Prix stop set for October in Ottawa, the mandated by the International Skating appreciated the opportunity. nation’s capital. Union. “It was huge for the skaters. When we A number of Canadian skaters were first started organizing it, we didn’t know entered in those events, but suddenly how big it would be because we just sort their targets had to shift and that only Of course, of thought, ‘well, we’ll probably have added to their frustration. But still, they Canadians live, so at least we will have had to show up every day to train, not we are envious of a Challenge type of thing to qualify the knowing exactly when the competition kids.’ We did not know how important it bell might ring for them. (others having) was at the time, but we thought it was “Of course, there is the uncertainly that that ability while important to give the kids a goal to work looms over everything we are doing and toward and that is what it was.” that is something we have to constantly recognizing it is not Barton said he received “hundreds manage,” said , the 2020 and hundreds” of emails from viewers Canadian champion with Piper possible for us ... it’s in Canada and other parts of the world Gilles. who were simply appreciative of the “In some ways, the easiest part is just kind of a double- opportunity to watch an event involving to show up and skate. Piper and I are at a edged sword. multiple Canadian skaters for the first point in our careers where we are focused time this season. More than 400 senior on the Olympics next year, and that is —Kirsten Moore-Towers and junior competitors took part in the sufficient motivation to keep us pushing 2021 Skate Canada Challenge. ourselves. While the senior ice dance field in “The toughest part is figuring out, One more time, Canadian skaters could particular produced a depth of quality day to day, what is the most useful thing do nothing but watch as their homeland that has come to be expected in Canada, for us to do that day. Normally, we go Grand Prix event became another there were also standouts in other out and we have a specific plan. We are casualty of COVID-19 restrictions. disciplines. Moore-Towers and Marinaro competing in four weeks, so the goal “It is hard to watch other people doing were the class of the senior pairs field, as today is to accomplish x, y or z or improve events. In Russia, they are even doing expected, but also opening a lot of eyes x, y or z. events with an audience — and we are were defending Canadian champion “Right now, it is a little bit trickier to not saying that is right be any means,” , an impressive winner know what is the best thing to do day to said Moore-Towers. in the men’s event, and rising teen talent day because the target is always moving. “It can be difficult to sit back and , whose long program in So we are kind of guessing and at a watch … but as well as being a skater, particular stood out. All of this provided certain point, we just have to trust the I am a skating fan. I do love to watch some good signs for a program that, in decisions we are making.” figure skating and I have missed that, so some ways, is still trying to find itself Indeed, it is difficult to, as the old I do really enjoy watching the events. Of after the exit of a “golden generation” of saying goes, keep your eye on the prize course, we are envious of (others having) stars following the Olympics and World when it seems so far in the distance — if that ability while recognizing it is not Championships in 2018. you can actually see it at all. possible for us … it’s kind of a double- “We had a generation of such high

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 19 success with Tessa (Virtue) and Scott (Moir), and Patrick (Chan) and all that … they were around around for a decade of success. Canada was on top of the world,” said Barton. “That whole era retired and we were not ready … it is no one’s fault, but we did not have strong ‘bench strength’ so we didn’t have our next coming up right away. There has been a bit of a gap. “But when you see Roman skate the way he did … you think, OK, that skating quality is as good as, maybe not the top three, but certainly the top five or six in the world. Add another quad in there and then you are dealing with a very competitive skater. “Madeline and other ladies are starting to perform in a sort of a top 15 in the world level, and that is a start. But you have to produce at a high level under pressure. There were some nice signs, but still a long way to go, no question.”

NO NATIONALS What was needed was an opportunity to build on some of those performances at Challenge, but there were none to be had to this point. No Canadian Championships, no Four Continents Championships — two events that are normally on the calendar for every elite skater in Canada and would have helped provide a springboard into the Olympic season. But the pandemic led the ISU to cancel Four Continents in as well as the World Junior Championships in China, which would have offered a big opportunity for some of Canada’s up and coming young talents. Even though it was hardly a surprise to many skaters, the cancellation of the national championships for the first time in nearly eight decades was a dagger to the heart of the sport in Canada. It is the one time each year that the Canadian skating community gathers as one, and it is almost like a family reunion of sorts. “It was hard news to hear. When you hear officially that it is not happening … this is just part of a normal season for them. Our Championships are very special. To be a Canadian champion is a title that is very cherished,” said Skate Canada high performance director Mike Slipchuk, who won the Canadian senior men’s title in 1992. An hour after a videoconference call on Jan. 11, during which Skate Canada informed the national team that the Championships had been cancelled, Sadovsky, in a video posted to his YouTube channel, shared his disappointment on hearing the news. “I feel like I am making my third cancellation video. I was on the ice then I was off the ice. I felt like I was getting somewhere but then one thing was cancelled and then another one was cancelled,” he said. “The whole national team was disappointed. There were a lot of tears during the call because nationals is a very special event for all of us. Skate Canada was very transparent and explained that approximately 85 percent of the skaters that would be going to nationals would all be coming from hot spots.” Gilles agreed. “It is disappointing. We like to see the people in our skating community and it has been strange not to see them for a full year.” Roman Sadovsky Increased travel restrictions in British Columbia proved

20 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 to be the ultimate death knell for the performance readiness” of each skater. Championships, or at least the prospect Having the required ISU minimum of holding it in Vancouver. technical scores and results at major Faced with similar circumstances, competitions over the past two seasons U.S. Figure Skating shifted its national also formed part of the selection criteria. championships from San Jose, California Skate Canada indicated it would name — a state burdened by that country’s the World team on Feb. 24. toughest COVID-19 restrictions — to a Worlds is of particular importance this much friendlier jurisdiction in Las Vegas season because the results in Sweden will (where it simply replicated the ‘bubble’ it determine the allocation of spots for the used for Skate America back in October). 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Could Skate Canada have done the If Canada had chosen not to send any same? Quite frankly, it is doubtful. At athletes to Worlds — and that was under the time the decision to cancel had to be consideration at one point — it would, made, every one of Canada’s 10 provinces as it currently stands, have been forced was living under some form of COVID to send skaters to in restrictions — some even stricter than , , in the fall. That those in B.C. And the suggestion of even competition is the final chance to qualify tighter limits on inter-provincial travel an Olympic berth. was gaining more public support in many But, under the new rules implemented of those regions. by the ISU in 2020, Canada would only “In Russia, they held nationals. And in have the opportunity to claim one spot in Japan, they held nationals. Why? Because each discipline, possibly crushing many they do not have provincial governments Olympic dreams in the process. shutting down regions,” said Barton. It would have been a shocking fall “That is not being critical. I am just for a team that, three years ago in saying that our provincial governments Pyeongchang, produced the greatest were able to apply different types of number of Winter Olympic medals in restrictions themselves. Canadian figure skating history — a “So therefore, each one of our provinces four-medal haul that included gold in could be shut down with different types the Team Event and ice dance (Virtue of restrictions. But in those countries, and Moir), and bronze medals in ladies they do not have local authorities doing () and pairs (Meagan it; it is just one policy from the national Duhamel and ). government. That is why Russia was able Nobody should be under any illusion to run theirs, for better or for worse. that will be repeated next year in “I will say that the main concern, at Beijing, but sending the maximum- least from a Skate Canada perspective, sized team possible to the 2021 World is safety first. Maybe people will be Championships is still of paramount unhappy because we did not run a importance, for the chance to claim as national championship, but what is the many Olympic spots as possible. priority here? It is to get through this Gilles and Poirier are Canada’s as safely as we can, and get back on the best (and perhaps only) medal shot in horse for nationals next year.” , but the depth in ice dance is such that the country has two other WORLDS AND BEYOND world class teams with top 10 potential There is, however, one major opportunity — Laurence Fourier Beaudry and still out there to salvage something out Nikolaj Sørensen, along with Marjorie of this season — and one that will have Lajoie and , the 2019 major ramifications on the campaign World Junior champions. to come. In late January, following an Though Gilles and Poirier have yet to announcement from the ISU that the compete this season, they kept the same 2021 World Championships would two programs from the previous year, take place, Skate Canada quietly began which have an abundance of mileage on putting plans in motion to select a team them and were tested in competitions in to send to Stockholm. 2019-2020. That should serve them well Part of that process was an on-ice in Stockholm. Keegan Messing monitoring session in mid-February that For Fournier Beaudry and Sørensen, was used to determine “competition and an appearance at Worlds would mark

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 21 their first event in more than 15 months, team at the Canadian Championships since he underwent a complex knee Right now, it is a in 2019 and 2020, could not take part surgery in December 2019 that cut short in Challenge because she was recovering their previous season. little bit trickier to from an ankle injury. While it only took Injuries earlier this season affected the know what is the them out of training for two weeks, their two teams most likely to fill Canada’s two situation still bears watching. available pairs spots. Moore-Towers and thing to do day to Sadovsky and Messing would appear Marinaro were off the ice for two months to be primary options to look at for back in the fall after she suffered a back day because the the lone men’s spot, but 2019 men’s injury in practice, but they were back in target is always champion Nam Nguyen will also get time to take part in the Skate Canada strong consideration. Challenge. moving. Canada has two ladies’ berths at Worlds Meanwhile, Evelyn Walsh and Trennt and, based on Challenge, Schizas should Michaud, who ranked as Canada’s No. 2 —Paul Poirier be the frontrunner for one of them, with , the 2020 ladies’ champion, and the top contenders for the second ticket. All of this should be tempered by the fact that, in a normal season, Canada’s top skaters would arrive at Worlds with four to six live competitions under their belts — not the zero they stand at right now. It is not exactly ideal preparation for the most demanding competition of the skating calendar, but the stakes are much too high not to be there. For Canada’s top juniors, however, it has been a completely barren season outside of the Challenge opportunity. Not only did the ISU cancel Junior Worlds, but it also scrapped the entire Junior Grand Prix Series. Skate Canada did organize a series of training camps for its NextGen team in September and October — two in B.C. and three in the Toronto area — and more are planned in advance of the 2021-2022 season. “It gave the skaters something to work toward,” said NextGen director Andre Bourgeois. “They constantly need these development opportunities and these things that motivate them toward something. They were hugely beneficial and the feedback we got from the coaches was, this really helped them in their progress.” For many skaters, the overriding theme of the season was finding ways to make all the time away from competition beneficial. Maybe it was making sure a nagging injury was fully healed, or perhaps taking the and Paul Poirier extra time to refine and learn new elements for programs. It was the rare kind of positive that could be

22 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 taken from a season in which light was often difficult to find in the darkness of the pandemic. Laurence Fournier Beaudry “It gave the skaters time to heal injuries, and Nikolaj Sørensen and it is also gave them time to work on details that they would never have spent any time on,” Barton said. “We saw some improvement in skaters that probably would not have happened without COVID because they could spend more time on getting more details or a new triple Axel or a spin or whatever. They had a longer period of time to prepare for that one performance (at Challenge), and we saw some improvements we may not have seen had there been a lot of competitions.” Nothing, however, is a replacement for competition experience and, outside of the handful of skaters who will go to Worlds, the rest will end up going many more months without the pressure of stepping in front of a panel of judges in a competitive setting. It is why Barton believes it is crucial for Skate Canada to offer a “meaningful performance opportunity” of some sort to its skaters in May or June, well in advance of the 2021-22 season. By then, of course, it is everyone’s hope that the COVID disruptions will have largely abated and competitions can resume again in the fall with regularity. “You refocus and hope that with the vaccines now, by the time we get to the spring and summer, things will begin to normalize, rinks will be open, there will be on-ice training and there will be performance opportunities set for the are coming up and having that long-term quadrennial will begin and Canadian fall,” said Barton. “If that happens, we goal helps us come in and train. At the skaters can dream of things such as the will be back on track and this season will end of the day, we want to compete … 2023 World Junior Championships, be in our rear-view mirror quite quickly. we just have to try to be optimistic and which will take place in Calgary. Skate But it would be really devastating if (the expect things to change,” said Gilles. “I Canada officials intend to bid on the disruptions) continued into next season think it was (swimming legend) Michael 2024 World Championships, hoping for and skaters were not able to compete. Phelps’ coach who, right before one of the another opportunity to play host to an That would be really, really tough at that Olympics, changed his training schedule, event that was lost in the rubble of the point.” just a bit of everything to try to mess him early days of the pandemic. Assuming that all is indeed well by the up a little bit. After a year of so much uncertainty and fall, however, it will be full steam ahead to “When he went into that competition so many lost opportunities, it is the kind Beijing and the Winter Games. Poirier, he had done everything. He had adapted of bright light that everyone involved in for one, believes that by then, “it is going to time changes, to missing countless the Canadian skating community surely to be a really even playing field and it is days of practice and he was still able to needs. going to be a clean slate for everyone.” compete well. There is still a long road to travel Gilles and Poirier have already started “This disrupted season is kind of good before then and much work to be done to work on new programs for the Olympic practice because now you can throw rebuild a proud nation’s skating program. season. It is the lure of the five rings that anything at us and hopefully we will still But after all the roadblocks and obstacles has kept them going through a year of be able to compete well.” presented by an unrelenting pandemic, it uncertainty. Indeed, this will all pass soon enough. is a challenge many are welcoming and “We know that the The Olympics will come and go, a new relishing. IFS

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 23 American Stars

Nathan Chen Light Up Las Vegas

REPORT BY SUSAN D. RUSSELL

hile its neigh- flip and, in the final minute of the program, that ultimately left a lot of points on the bour to the a quad toe-triple toe. table. Zhou opened the program with a north cancelled His efforts were rewarded with 208.36 solid quad Lutz-triple toe combination all figure skating points for the segment and, with an overall and, after popping the next element — a competitions total of 322.28, Chen captured the title by quad flip — the 20-year-old pulled himself scheduled for a 30.90-point margin. together. He went on to execute a series of the 2020-2021 “I made some mistakes, especially on clean jumps and spins, but midway through season, U.S. Figure Skating soldiered on. the first element. I was thrilled I was able the program fell on an under-rotated quad Following the success of Skate America in to stand up on my feet for the rest of the Lutz. He closed out the program with a October, the organization opted to return program,” Chen said with a laugh. “I’m solid three-jump combination, earning a to the “City of Lights” for the 2021 U.S. super thrilled with the results and to have score of 183.59 for the segment and an Championships. this opportunity to be here. This whole overall total of 291.38, which assured him And despite having no spectators to season has been crazy and everything is the silver medal. cheer them on, the nation’s best put on a just so unexpected. “I did a great job in the short, but threw show for the world. “The fact that we are all here, that we away some points in the long that would Leading the way was Nathan Chen, who are all healthy and that we are able to do have gotten me over that 300-point margin was not only in the hunt for a fifth straight this, is just incredible.” for the first time. But you win some and U.S. title in Las Vegas, he was also chasing was on a mission to finish you lose some,” Zhou said. “I did some a piece of American figure skating history. higher than his fourth-place result in 2020. great things in this competition that I can , the last man to capture five His main goal, like so many others, is to be proud of.” consecutive national crowns, achieved the challenge Chen and one day overtake him. In his first outing of the season, Jason feat in 1950 – some 71 years ago. Zhou showed vast improvement from last Brown debuted a new short program, Chen skated conservatively in his season, skating a clean short program that “Sinnerman,” that had everyone talking. Latin-themed short program, opting for included two quads, one in combination, Every element the 26-year-old executed in two quads — Lutz and a flip-triple toe and was rewarded with his best-ever score the routine earned high Grade of Execution combination — and a solo triple Axel. of 107.79. scores and the highest program component Despite a couple of shaky landings on the The free skate was an up and down affair scores of the top three men. He sat in third jumps, he was awarded 113.92 points and with 100.92 points. captured the lead — one that everyone Debuting his “Slaughter on 10th Avenue” knew was out of reach of any of the other This whole long program, Brown fell on the opening competitors. quad toe, which also received an under- The 21-year-old Utah native had five season has rotation call. Within seconds, he landed a quads planned for the free. He opened his solid triple Axel-double toe combination routine, set to the music of Philip Glass, been crazy and then popped a planned solo triple Axel. with a step-out on the opening quad Lutz From that point on he did not miss a beat, S

S and everything O

T and was forced to put a hand down on the landing six more triple jumping passes, four I R

N I ice to steady himself. of which were in combination.

B is just so O R

That would be his only mistake as he Once again, Brown’s artistry paid off, : S O

T reeled off the remaining four quads — unexpected. with the judges rewarding him with O H

P three of which were in combination: a the highest component scores of the flip-triple toe, Salchow, toe-Euler-triple —Nathan Chen competition. He ranked fourth in the free

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 25 growth spurt in the off- every second of it. They say it’s about the season, which caused journey and not the destination, but the her to temporarily lose destination feels pretty good, too!” her difficult jumps, , a veteran competing in the battle for gold was her sixth national championships, was the expected to be between only lady to attempt a triple Axel in the and entire competition. She failed to cleanly . execute the jump in the short program and Dressed in a form sat in fifth with 70.83 points. fitting, full-length Glenn opted not to include a triple black leotard, Tennell Axel in her long program, but in what attacked her short was perhaps one of the most exciting program, executing five minutes of the entire competition, jumps and spins at a the native of Plano, , had the skate high level, and racked of her life, reeling off six triple jumps, up the points with four of which were in combination, and positive Grades of executing sharp, fast, Level 4 spins in her Execution across the performance to “Rain, in Your Black Eyes.” board. At the end of The 21-year-old could not believe her the segment, she sat in eyes when her score flashed overhead at first with 79.40 points. the Orleans Arena: 144.50 points for the The second to last free and a combined score of 215.33, which skater in the free, propelled her into second place overall. Tennell received a q Backstage, Glenn admitted she was in (landed on the quarter) utter shock at the end of her program. “It for the back end of the didn’t feel real. That was a personal best opening triple Lutz- in a free skate by about 15 points and a triple toe combination, good 25 points for a national championship but went on to execute free skate. I’m so happy that I was able to Jason Brown five more triple jumping perform like I do in practice.” passes, two of which , the 2017 U.S. champion, were in combination. was hit with a q on the first jump of a triple with 176.00 points but held on to third She added to her score by earning Level Lutz-triple toe combination and an under- place with a combined score of 276.92. 4s for two spins and the step sequence. rotation on the second, as well as a q on the “I’m a bit disappointed in today as I Tennell was rewarded with 153.31 points solo triple loop in the short program. She had high expectations of myself,” Brown for the long program, and a combined total finished fourth with 70.99 points. reflected after the long program. “I came of 232.61 assured her the gold medal. Though Chen opened her free skate up a little short on what I was hoping for. “I am kind of speechless actually. — set to “The Butterfly Lovers’ Violin I’m determined to get back on the Olympic Winning the title back means everything Concerto” by Takako Nishizaki — with team and that’s where my head, heart and to me,” said the 22-year-old of her first two solid jumping passes, she experienced soul is right now.” victory since 2018. “That was exactly the technical issues on a number of others: An Yaroslav Paniot finished fourth with performance I wanted to give and I enjoyed edge call on a triple flip, an under-rotation 266.97 points; Maxim Naumov landed in call on the following triple loop and, in the fifth with a score of 244.20, and Jimmy Ma second half of the program, she was hit rounded out the top six (230.78). I am with a q on both the triple Salchow and Chen, Zhou and Brown were named the second triple loop. to the 2021 World Championships team. determined to Chen earned 143.99 points for the free Zhou does not currently have the required and moved up to finish in third place with minimum free skate score to compete at get back on the a score of 214.98. “I grew a lot as a skater the World Championships, but the ISU Olympic team and I hope to continue this momentum,” is likely to be flexible in that regard given said the 21-year-old of her third bronze- the lack of international competitions this and that’s where medal finish at a national championship. season. “The biggest thing is consistent training my head, heart and staying injury-free and working on   and soul is the triple Axel is the main goal for next Unlike the past two seasons, there was no season.” clear-cut favorite heading into nationals in right now. Liu finished second in the short but the ladies event this year. With two-time dropped to fourth overall with 213.39 champion having gone through a —Jason Brown points. In an unexpected finale to the

26 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 I am kind of speechless actually. Winning the title back means every- thing to me. —Bradie Tennell

ladies competition, Bell — one of the favorites heading into the event — dropped from third after the short to finish in fifth place with 199.95 points, following a performance that was riddled with technical glitches. Lindsay Thorngren, the 2020 U.S. junior champion, rounded out the top six with a score of 178.89. Tennell and Chen were assigned to the 2021 World Championships team.   All eyes were on the relatively new and exciting pairs team of Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, who were in a class of their own in the reduced field of nine. Las Vegas proved to be a lucky place once again for this team, as they shot into the lead in the short program with a score of 77.46, which gave them a 6.16-point cushion over their closest rivals. The duo carried that momentum into their long program, opening the routine with a solid triple twist, a triple toe-double toe combination, a throw triple loop and side-by- side triple Salchows. They added to their total by earning Level 4s for the spins and lifts. Knierim and Frazier earned 150.64 points for the long program and 228.10 in total, giving them a runaway victory by a margin of 22.81 points. The scores for the short, long and overall set new U.S. domestic records. “There were several elements like the death spiral that got really tight,” said Frazier with respect to the Level 3 element. “Toward the end of our second lift I was not balanced well, so that was a fight, and going into our choreo steps, a lot of emotions were going through us at that point.” “I have so many emotions — all positive of course,” Knierim added. “I can’t even describe the work we put in to get here. It was a fight for us, but we are very proud of what we did. Bradie Tennell We are elated with our performance. “We’ve been putting out really great

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 27 improvement in many ways and we are looking forward to adding to that,” said Johnson. Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy Today, with LeDuc, who have also struggled the past two seasons, were looking for a pair of the explosive solid performances in Las Vegas. A fall and minus grades of execution in the short elements ... I program left them sitting in fourth, 11.65 had to really be points out of the lead. The Texas-based team stepped it up in alert for the the free skate, executing solid elements and, other than a fall by LeDuc on the side- landings. by-side triple loop jumps and a problem on the landing of the throw triple Salchow, —Alexa Knierim they produced one of the best performances at nationals in two years. Cain and LeDuc ranked second in the free but closed out the competition in third place with 200.52 points. “I know we had a few mistakes in the program, but for us it felt like a huge win coming off the ice, feeling like Ashley and Timothy. It’s been a long time since we felt that way,” said Cain-Gribble. “This time I felt like we were fully engaged in the performance and every part of the choreography. We have held back a little bit in competition this year, but I think today showed us what we are capable of. So, it was a win in that sense.” and finished in fourth place with a score of 197.97. Emily Chan and Spencer Howe placed fifth (177.06), and Olivia Serafini and rounded out the top six with a 169.88 overall total. Knierim and Frazier and Calalang and Johnson were assigned to the 2021 World Championships team.   With the two top ice dance teams going programs at home and there is ease to them both stumbled out of under-rotated triple head to head for the first time this season, most of the time. Today, with the explosive Salchows, followed by a fall by Calalang on it was impossible to predict who would elements, I had to kind of reorganize an intended triple toe combination. They claim the crown. myself in the air and really be alert for my refocused and sailed through the remainder and landings.” of the routine, experiencing only one slight and and , who Just one year ago, problem on the exit of the final lift are coached by the same team in Montréal, and Brian Johnson looked to be the heirs The program ranked third best of the Canada, were unable to train between apparent to the U.S. pairs throne, but the night but with a combined score of 205.29, March and late June as all rinks in that engaging duo has struggled all season with the duo held on to second place overall and location were closed due to the coronavirus technical problems in their programs. In captured their second consecutive silver pandemic. Las Vegas, those troubles continued with a medal at U.S. nationals. “There were quite a Chock revealed that she and Bates short program that had its ups and downs few mistakes in the program, but we really were forced to take a month-long break in and left them sitting in second place tried hard to put them aside and continue late July after Chock sustained an off-ice heading into the free skate. the performance,” Calalang admitted. concussion. The team did not participate Their opening move of the long program, “Even though we might not have been in either the ISP Points Challenge or a throw triple twist, was solid, but then the happiest with it, we definitely showed Skate America, both of which were won

28 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 Three-time national champion has a nice ring to it.

—Madison Hubbell by Hubbell and Donohue. As the reigning champions, Chock and Bates headed into nationals without having competed for 11 months. That was not a factor in the , with the team winning the segment with 90.10 points, a new national record — making them the first U.S. ice dance team to break the 90-point barrier. Hubbell and Donohue sat in second, just 0.44 of a point behind the leaders. The tables turned in the with Hubbell and Donohue laying down a captivating per- formance set to the haunting strains of “Hallelujah,” earning Level 4s for the twizzles, lifts and step sequences. Their final tally of 224.56 points guaranteed them their third national title in four years. “Three-time national champion has a really nice ring to it,” said Hubbell. “We couldn’t be happier to be here and accomplish this big goal.” Donohue added that behind the masks, “we’re smiling like a monkey with a new banana!” “We are thrilled to be here. It feels amazing to be back in Vegas.” Chock and Bates, performing to last season’s popular “Snake Dance,” had one slight miscue Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue in the program when Bates lost control on a twizzle, which subsequently lost a Level. Like in both performances. There are a lot of and Michael Parsons their rivals, the team also received Level 4s positive things we showed and a lot of danced into fourth with a score of 192.39. for the spins, steps and lifts but, in the end, growth in our skating and commitment Molly Cesanek and Yehor Yehorov rounded the lost level on the twizzle proved to be the to improving,” Bates said. out the top five (177.40). deciding factor. Chock and Bates ranked and Jean-Luc Baker, and Anthony second in the free with 132.83 points and who also train in Montréal, finished third Ponomarenko were forced to withdraw finished in second place overall with a score in both segments, earning 212.55 points prior to the competition after coming into of 222.93. in total to capture their third consecutive direct contact with someone infected with “We really did a lot of great things bronze medal at the national level. COVID-19. IFS

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 29 nagano TriumpHs

REPORT BY SUSAN D. RUSSELL

ime differences across many parts of the world, proved to be no barrier for the many thousands of fans that tuned in to watch the 2020 All Japan Championships play out at the Big Hat Arena in Nagano. With only 2,300 spectators in attendance — who were asked to refrain from cheering and tThrowing anything onto the ice — it was a much quieter affair than usual. Though we had seen a number of Japanese skaters compete at NHK Trophy in late November, this was the first outing of the season for three of the nation’s top stars: , Yuzuru Hanyu and . POWER AND GLORY Despite having no competitions since February 2020, Rika Kihira left no doubt she is still the leading lady in Japan. The 18-year-old headed into nationals as the reigning champion and emerged with her second consecutive title. Kihira nailed the opening triple Axel at the beginning of her short program (“The Fire Within” by Jennifer Thomas), had a shaky landing on the triple flip-triple toe loop combination, but wowed the audience with a one-handed cartwheel near the end of the routine. She was rewarded with a score of 79.34 points, which gave her a solid lead over the rest of the field. Her “Baby, God Bless You” long program, choreographed by her coach, Stéphane Lambiel, opened with a clean quad Salchow — the first time she had ever attempted the jump in competition. Kihira is the first lady to land a quad at nationals since achieved the feat in 2003 in the same arena. Aside from an under-rotation on a triple Axel, it was clear sailing, and with 154.90 points for the segment Kihira extended her lead and closed out the competition with a score of 234.24. “I didn’t know when the next competition would be after other events were cancelled. That was very frustrating and because of that I lost my motivation,” said Kihira. “I train in a foreign environment, had sore muscles every day and I couldn’t always jump successfully but when the national championships was announced, I focused a lot on this event.” Following on the heels of her NHK Trophy victory, was all set to challenge Kihira for the title, but without a triple Axel or a quad in her repertoire that proved to be the impossible dream. Sakamoto finished second in the short program with a score of 71.86, some 7.48 points behind Kihira. In the free skate, she stole the show with her speed, attack and soaring jumps in a solid performance of her popular “Matrix” routine. The 20-year-old earned 150.31 points for the segment and 222.17 in total to capture the silver medal. “This is the first time I was in the last group at nationals (for Rika Kihira

30 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 the free), so I really wanted to do my best. 215.83 for the segment and a combined toe; received an edge call on a triple flip; There are many risky parts in my program, total of 319.36 points — along with and later in the program a single Euler but I was able to execute it much better 11 perfect 10.0s for performance, in the middle of a combination was than last year,” she said. composition and interpretation — gave downgraded. He also lost points for a For , who trains in Hanyu a runaway victory and a fifth spin and the step sequence, which were Toronto, Canada, with coach , national crown. both graded Level 2. this was also her first competition of the “To be honest, it was a pity that I Kagiyama collected 180.19 points for year. She showed up in Nagano with a didn’t hear the audience cheering, but I the free and, with a combined tally of new short program, set to “Gnossienne definitely had fun,” the 26-year-old said. 278.79, dropped to third overall. “This No. 1” by Erik Satie and “Metamorphosis “I had a strong desire to stand on the event was the one I was most nervous II” by Philip Glass. middle step of the podium — unlike last about this season, and after hearing This routine was her exhibition year.” Uno’s score, I got even more nervous,” program last season but she and Lambiel, Uno, who was chasing a fifth straight Kagiyama explained. who choreographed the gala program, national title, has kept both programs decided to rework it for the short this from last season: “Great Spirit” for the RUNAWAY VICTORY season. crafted the free to short and “Dancing on My Own” for the After winning NHK Trophy in Puccini’s “Tosca.” free. This was the first competition in a November, it was a sure bet that the two- Miyahara, competing in her 10th senior year for the 23-year-old who now trains time and reigning ice dance champions championships, had previously claimed fulltime in with Lambiel. and four national titles (2014-2017). She The short program got away from Uno would once again come out on top. The had struggled the past two seasons with following a fall on a quad toe loop, which American-born Koleto, who obtained inconsistency and that was once again the left him with no combination. He sat in Japanese citizenship in early December, case in the short program, which left her third place with 94.22 points. was introduced as and competed under sitting in sixth spot with 66.48 points. Uno opened his free skate with four the name of Takeru Komatsubara at this Skating second in the final flight of solid jumping passes in succession: quad event. the free, Miyahara earned just one under- Salchow, quad flip, triple toe and a triple Team Komatsubara won the rhythm rotation call for a double loop on the back Axel. But from the midway point, things dance with a score of 71.74. With a end of a three-jump combination and a went downhill. He landed two quad toes comfortable lead they headed into the q (landed on the quarter) for a triple toe but singled the toe on the end of the free dance where, once again, it was no at the end of the program. She earned second one. The back end of his final contest and the husband-and-wife team 143.27 points for the segment and moved combination, a triple Axel-Euler-triple claimed their third straight national title up to finish third with a combined tally flip, received a q (landed on the quarter); in a runaway victory with 175.23 points of 209.75. the step sequence was graded Level 2, overall. “The programs are very different, but and the final spin a Level 3. The new team of I want the spectators to enjoy both and But with a segment score of 190.59 and showed a lot see how much fun I have,” the 22-year- points and a total tally of 284.81, Uno of improvement since their debut at old said. moved up to finish second overall. “I must NHK Trophy, executing the elements confess that I was really very nervous in Nagano with more speed and a better DOMINATION after such a long time,” he admitted. connection to each other and the music. Though we had not seen Hanyu or Uno “At this time when there are no events, The duo finished second in the rhythm compete this season, it was anticipated I was longing to compete. Under other dance with 67.83 points. that a repeat of the 2019 showdown circumstances I would have been very The free dance did not go as well as between the two men would take frustrated for sure, but today I had a lot of they hoped. Takahashi lost his balance place. However, that scenario did not fun and I am happy to have participated.” on three elements on top of a fall midway materialize. is one of Japan’s through the routine. The team ranked Hanyu opened his entertaining short brightest rising stars. The 17-year-old third in the free but held on to finish program with a clean quad Salchow, won the NHK Trophy title in his senior second overall, capturing the silver medal followed by a quad toe-triple toe Grand Prix debut in November and in their debut with 151.86 points. combination and a solid triple Axel. He followed up on that victory with two “I think we made progress, but it is lost points on two of his spins: the first strong performances in Nagano. extremely frustrating that I was not able one was graded a Level 3 and the second A solid debut of his new short program to properly execute what we have been deemed invalid for insufficient rotations “Vocussion” from the album “New practicing,” Takahashi said. in the sit position. Still, Hanyu claimed Impossibilities,” which included two and Oliver Zhang, the L L

E top spot with 103.53 points. quads (Salchow and toe), earned 98.60 silver medalists at 2020 NHK Trophy, S S U

R Skating last in the free, the two- points and a second-place finish. finished third with 145.18 points.

. D

N time Olympic champion was on top of However, his “Avatar” free skate was “Our coach told us before the A S

U his game, reeling off a quad loop, quad an up and down affair. Kagiyama opened performance that, above all, we should S

: O

T Salchow, two quad toes in combination the routine with a clean quad Salchow, have fun and enjoy this opportunity,” said O

H IFS P and a pair of triple Axels. His score of but faltered on the second jump, a quad Fukase.

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 31 Chelyabinsk

Anna Shcherbakova

he city of Chelyabinsk played host to the 2021 As always, the ladies competition was the marquee event Russian Championships in late December. New at these championships. Shcherbakova, the two-time and champions were crowned in ice dance and former reigning national champion, was absent from the Grand Prix

champions in pairs and men reclaimed titles. () in late November after contracting the virus E D A L

Anna Shcherbakova was the only gold medalist and pneumonia, so how she would perform in Chelyabinsk was F

A N

from the 2020 campaign to defend a title. a question mark prior to the competition. A J T

 A Missing from the entry lists were Dmitri Aliev, However, that question became a moot point following the T

S O the 2020 men’s champion, and ice dancers and ladies short program, but controversy swirled around the results. T O H

Nikita Katsalapov, who all withdrew due to the coronavirus. Shcherbakova made a slight mistake on a spin and Kamila P

32 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021

CHALLENGERS REPORT BY SUSAN D. RUSSELL

Valieva fell on a triple Axel attempt. 14-year-old is not eligible for senior level 4s for the spins and step sequence. With a However, both earned higher component competitions until next season, Russia combined score of 264.10 Shcherbakova scores than Alexandra Trusova, whose permits its top junior stars to compete claimed her third consecutive title by a only mistake was an edge call on a triple at senior nationals the year prior to the margin of 10.09 points. flip. Shcherbakova won the segment change in their eligibility status. The Her father, Stanislav Shcherbakov, said ahead of Valieva, with Trusova sitting in talented dynamo from opened her that although they were worried about fourth. “Bolero” long program with a quad toe- their daughter’s health “no one knows her Trusova’s coach, , double toe, followed by a solo quad toe. better than herself. We trusted her. It was expressed his displeasure with a She went on to land six triple jumping impossible to imagine that Anna could thumbs-down sign when her score was passes, with just one small deduction on a do it, but she did. Now everyone is crying announced. It was his view that it was her triple flip. With 254.01 points in total she and she is laughing.” best performance of the season. “The edge overtook Trusova and claimed the lead. Shcherbakova is the first lady to win on the flip is excellent; the Lutz-toe loop “For the first time in this difficult a trio of consecutive national titles since is wonderful. It’s a serious improvement season, I skated a clean program,” Valieva completed the hat trick in in my opinion. It only remains for her to said. “There was a small blot in the short 2001. jump out of her dress. How could it get program — well, how small is a fall?” , the final skater in any better?” Shcherbakova was feeling unwell the the free skate, dropped one spot to Trusova was the first of the top four to take the ice in the free. There is no question her artistry has improved since          making the coaching change and that    was on full display in her program set to selections from Prokofiev’s ballet “Romeo —Anna Shcherbakova and Juliet.” In the first 30 seconds of the routine day of the free and was advised by her finish fourth with 230.56 points. Maiia Trusova executed a solid quad Lutz- coaches and parents to withdraw. Khromykh rounded out the top five with double toe combination that earned 19.31 However, the 16-year-old was adam- a final score of 211.97. points, followed by a solo quad Lutz that antly opposed to that idea. “My decision Though Elizaveta Tuktamysheva was scored 14.13. She added to her tally by to compete was made a month ago, and still recovering from the coronavirus, executing five triple jumping passes with since that moment I did not change my she decided to compete nonetheless. The an edge call on a flip her only mistake. decision. I said that I would go and fight 24-year-old finished a distant seventh Trusova moved into first place with to the finish, no matter what anyone said.” with 204.25 points. 246.37 points and seemed set to capture When most thought the competition her first senior national title. could not get any better, Shcherbakova, BACK ON TOP “I don’t remember the last time I skated the second last skater in the free, knocked The pairs competition was, as expected, a clean long program,” the 16-year-old it out of the park, executing a flawless a mind game from start to finish. Given admitted. “Two quads is not a lot for routine set to “Morning Passages” by what had transpired at the test skates, the me, but that was the maximum content Philip Glass, “Forgiveness” from the Russian Cup series and the Grand Prix, I could perform. “Home of Dark Butterflies” by Panu no team was a sure bet to waltz off with “At the Grand Prix (Rostelecom Cup) Aaltio, and “Beethoven’s Five Secrets” by the title. I already had an injury and was told to the Piano Guys. and Vladimir simplify the content, but I didn’t do it Shcherbakova opened her program by Morozov missed most of the first half of and now there is nowhere to go. At the executing the two toughest quads (Lutz the season due to illness, which started moment I can only jump the quad Lutz and flip), which earned 31.82 points. She with him catching COVID-19. Shortly because of the injury, but I don’t want to went on to land seven clean triple jumps after he recovered, Tarasova caught share the details.” — six of which were in combinations — pneumonia. Their only competitive Next up was Valieva. Though the and added to her total by earning Level outing prior to nationals was a second-

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 33

                     

—Vladimir Morozov

Pairs gold medalists Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov with their coaches Sergei Voronov and . place finish at the Russian Cup series in announced. He had nothing to worry sitting in second place with a score of early November. about — his team was the best of the 77.48. “After the competition in Kazan, night, capturing their third national title Skating second to last in the free to I returned to Moscow and trained with a combined score of 228.23. the “Writing’s on the Wall,” performed normally for a week. Then one day I felt “We didn’t think about winning while by Karlberg, the program opened unwell and when I got home I had a we were skating. At first everything with Boikova having to steady herself temperature of 38.3,” Tarasova explained. was fine, but the ill-fated release of the on the landing of the side-by-side triple “I was worried because I had never had throw Salchow … At some point I lost Salchows. Midway through the program such a high temperature in my life. It concentration,” said Tarasova. she landed a throw triple flip on two feet, dropped, but the next day my lungs fell “When we were almost done, I saw which caused a momentary scramble ill. I had a CT scan and was diagnosed Evgenia’s eyes and realized that she to stop herself from falling. Though with pneumonia. I stayed home for two was already on the podium,” Morozov Boikova and Kozlovskii earned a slightly weeks taking antibiotics.” added. “And then the Salchow — it was higher technical tally than Tarasova and All those problems seemed far in the impossible to save her. We were absolutely Morozov, their program component past when the team took to the ice for the ready and even a little upset that we could scores were lower, leaving them in second short program in Chelyabinsk. Without not show everything to the end.” place overall with 224.99 points. missing a beat, Tarasova and Morozov Tarasova and Morozov, who are At the ensuing press conference, sailed through the routine and into the coached by in Florida Kozlovskii congratulated his rivals lead with a score of 80.65 points. and Maxim Trankov in Russia, brought on their victory. “I understand how The free skate, set to Tomaso Albinoni’s Sergei Voronov into the mix in September important it is for them. This is a difficult “Adagio,” got off to an unsteady start when 2020 to work with them on their jumps. pre-Olympic season and there is strong both had shaky landings on the side-by- Reigning European champions competition in Russian pairs skating. I side triple Salchows. Standing behind the Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii am sure this will have a positive effect on boards, Trankov was obviously distressed Kozlovskii were at the top of the win list, the dynamics of the sport in our country. when, near the end of the routine, but as with all national championships We are all in this current reality and it is Tarasova fell on a throw triple Salchow. surprising things happen. A shaky not easy. In the kiss and cry, Trankov stared at the landing on the throw triple Lutz — their “One of the few advantages is that we floor while waiting for the marks to be only miscue in the short — left them remain the reigning European champions

34 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 until 2022,” he added with a laugh in Nonetheless, it was a runaway victory who has been dealing with a serious reference to this season’s continental for Kolyada who claimed his third back injury for months, said it has been a event being cancelled. national title — and the first since his “season of overcoming, and miracles have and Denis 2017 win — with a score of 296.15. not happened.” Khodykin finished third in both segments “Compared with the past Russian of the competition and captured their championships, this is one of the most CONFIDENT VICTORY second consecutive national bronze medal significant. I continue to enrich myself Though and Ivan with 221.39 points. “This bronze is my working with Alexei Mishin because he Bukin were sidelined for the entire first best birthday present,” said Pavliuchenko, is a man with the richest experience,” half of the season after she contracted who turned 18 on Dec. 31. Kolyada said of his coach. COVID-19 and he was injured, the break “We were sick with coronavirus and Makar Ignatov, a talented 20-year- did not affect their level of performance. then had acute respiratory infections,” old from St. Petersburg, was one of the First after the rhythm dance, they laid said Khodykin, who also suffered a knee highlights of the competition. Second down a solid free dance set to “Cry Me injury in early November. “We are pleased after the short with 98.30 points, he a River” by Justin Timberlake, earning that we were able to show the integrity of struggled with the landings of jumps in program component scores that included our program. For us, this is probably the the first half of his long program set to “Je five perfect 10.0s. The duo was rewarded most important thing.” suis malade” by Serge Lama, but pulled with a combined score of 220.16, and It was a disappointing competition himself together and, other than an edge danced away with their first national title for and Aleksandr call on a triple flip midway through in what would ultimately be a decisive Galliamov. The duo finished fifth in the the routine, made no mistakes in the victory in their first competition in 11 short program following a popped triple second half. Third in the free, he held on months. Salchow. Things did not improve in the to second place with an overall total of “This is, one might say, the beginning free skate where both struggled on the 265.37 and captured his first medal at the of the season for us. There was not side-by-side jumps. They closed out the national level. much time for preparation, and we were competition in fourth place with 211.95 Ignatov said he was driven by ambition nervous,” Stepanova said. points. to skate well in the free. “I didn’t think “When we went onto the ice we

WINNING WAYS The Russian men, known for their           inconsistency, stepped out of the shadows         at the national championships, with many laying down clean performances, — and 12 in the field of 18 landing one or more quads in both the short and long about the placement; I didn’t set myself received tremendous support from the programs. the task of necessarily being in the top fans. It was so amazing. Even our coaches Mikhail Kolyada entered the comp- three and being the fly in the ointment,” shed a tear. It was unexpected and very etition with two wins under his belt he said. pleasant.” from the Russian Cup series and the Mark Kondratiuk, a 17-year-old from Tiffani Zagorski and Jonathan Rostelecom Cup Grand Prix. It was Moscow, was unimpressive in his two Guerreiro have shown continued im- expected, given his solid performances Russian Cup outings but rose to the provement all season. The duo finished at those events, that he would claim the occasion in Chelyabinsk to capture the second in Chelyabinsk with a total tally top step of the podium in Chelyabinsk third step of the podium in his senior of 210.94, bettering the score they earned without a challenge. national debut. at the Russian Cup series in late October Kolyada lived up to his star billing, Third after the short, Kondratiuk was by almost 10 points. “We feel that our winning the short program with a clean sailing through his long program set program is improving, and we are more performance that included a quad toe to “After the Nightmare” by The Dark comfortable with it. We are skating it combination and a triple Axel. His efforts Tenor, but at the midway point tumbled for the second year and it continues to were rewarded with a score of 102.48 to the ice on a triple Axel-Euler-triple evolve,” said Guerreiro. points. Salchow combination. His performance Anastasia Skoptcova and Kirill Last to skate in the free, the 25-year- ranked second in the free, but he finished Aleshin, bronze medalists at 2020 old laid down a captivating performance third overall with 260.31 points. Rostelecom Cup, landed in third with of his “The White Crow” program that “I am not completely happy. There 196.97 points. It was the first medal at a had the audience on its feet as the last were some errors, including a serious fall national championship for the Moscow- notes of the music died. Kolyada incurred on the combination, but I am very happy based team. two small deductions — one for a step with the bronze medal,” Kondratiuk said. Sofia Shevchenko and , out on a triple Axel and the other for an Andrei Mozalev, the 2020 World the 2019 World Junior bronze medalists, edge call on a triple flip. Despite his solid junior champion, finished fourth finished fourth with 194.29 points, ahead performance, only one judge awarded with 252.92 points, slightly ahead of of Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva and Egor him a perfect 10.0 for interpretation. (251.38). Samarin, Bazin (192.68). IFS

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 35

A Creative Force

French choreographer Benoît Richaud, a former competitive ice dancer, has worked with some of the world’s best skaters the past few years. Breaking into the top echelons of his craft was a challenge, but he won over a legion of fans with his innovative and original programs.

BY TATJANA FLADE

What is your background and how did you get into figure skating ? What did you achieve in your competitive career?

I come from Avignon in the south of France, where skating is After finishing first or second at novice nationals, I moved up to not popular. I went to the rink to see my cousin who took skating juniors and was the French junior ice dance champion (with partner lessons and I wanted to try it right away. I loved it. I was able to Élodie Brouiller). I remember in our first Junior Grand Prix season skate naturally and my cousin was not happy because she had been (2005-2006) we finished fifth in and fourth in Japan. That doing it for some months and I was able to glide from the first class. was quite exceptional. The following season, we finished seventh I did singles skating from 6 to 9 years old. I had all the double at the Junior Grand Prix Final and also at 2007 Junior Worlds. jumps and I had started working on triples. But, at school, I heard However, it was very difficult for anyone to skate with me. I did lots of comments like ‘skating is a sport for girls.’ So I stopped not have the team spirit. That was the reason why my first partner skating and started playing rugby. But later, I realized I missed quit. I found another partner, (Canadian) Terra Findlay, and it skating and I started again when I was 11. It was tragic because I went quite well, but after moving up to the senior level in 2009, I couldn’t jump anymore. My body had changed and I had a lot of stopped and left ice dance the same sudden way I had entered it. I trouble regaining my jumps. went to work in a bar in Avignon as a server when I was 21 years old. Then I saw Marina Anissina and on television winning the 2002 Olympic title and that was a revelation for me. Do you regret that you ended your career so early? I told my mother I wanted to do this. She talked to my coaches and I told them I wanted to train with the same coaches as Marina I do not have any regrets because looking back now I understand D U

A and Gwendal. My coaches said, ‘you are crazy. They will never that I did not enjoy competing. I liked to train and create new H C I

R take you.’ My mother called Muriel Zazoui and we got a reply to programs; I liked everything around it but not the competition. I

T î

O come for a test. was not made for that. N E B So, in May 2002 my mother and I went to and I skated for Y S E

T one hour with Muriel and three hours with . When and why did you return to the sport? R U

O At the end of the day, they told my mother they were not taking C

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O Holiday on Ice T children, but they would make an exception for me. I was 13 years One day I received an email from with an offer to O H

P old at the time. I did solo dance until they found a partner for me. compete on a reality television show, “Dancing on Ice,” in the

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 37 Netherlands. I didn’t like it at all, but I found the concept of a this season. These are the senior level skaters, and there are some television production very interesting. The most important thing more in juniors. was that I realized I missed skating. The choreographer of the show, Douglas Webster of Ice Dance International, told me that I needed When you work with so many skaters, how do you avoid your to return to skating because he thought I had something special. programs becoming duplicates of each other? After the show I started coaching ice dance in Basel, Switzerland. I worked with senior skaters for a year and it was I have six girls in the top 12 and none of their programs are a great experience. I had two teams that were first and second similar to the other. I do not think about this when creating the at the national championships. I went to 2015 Europeans with programs, as I am very invested in the elevation of the person I do Katarina Paice and Yuri Eremenko. During the time I was in the choreography for. Sometimes it is very hard for skaters because Basel, I started working on skating skills and choreography with I do not tolerate people that do not work hard and I do not accept young Swiss skaters. it if they do not give it their all. I contacted Ingrida Snieškienė, the first coach of Deniss Vasiljevs, It is easy to avoid programs being similar with all the music and said I would like to try doing choreography for Deniss. She choices that we have, and it is complicated to “clone” skaters. I agreed. It was my first real experience to work with a singles know there are some people — I won’t name them — that do skater and, when he debuted his “Adagio for TRON” by Daft this. You see the same movements, the same gestures. It is very Punk program in 2014, I saw that people liked my choreography. similar because it is always classical music. But, for me, it is not So I stopped working as an ice dance coach and became a possible to do that. choreographer. Whether I take someone that is top five or 20th at the World I started working with skaters on the French national team and Championships, when I work with them something more some from Switzerland. After the 2015 World Championships interesting is happening than in years past. Yes, from time to time I went to Champéry, Switzerland, where I met Alexei Mishin, there are some things that are a bit similar, but I do the programs who was there to get a program from Stéphane Lambiel for Liza so much based on the personality of the skater that I am not afraid Tuktamysheva. to have a moment where people who are watching might say: ‘This One day he said he wanted me to do choreography for her. I was is the same music style, same costume, same choreography.’ But a little embarrassed because they had come to get choreography I do not do a jazz short program for one skater and then give jazz from Stéphane — and then I was asked to do it for her. Alexei to another skater. liked my work and invited me to his summer camps in and Estonia that year. I worked all summer with his team and it You previously worked with Daisuke Takahashi who is a very went really well. artistic skater. Can you talk about that experience? At 2016 Junior Worlds I was approached by the Japanese federation and later contacted by Russian ice dancers Daisuke is fantastic. It was an honor that he contacted me. He and and Ivett Tóth from Hungary. told me he had seen my work over the past few years and thought my choreography was special. From what sources do you draw your inspiration for the programs? When he came to France to get a new program, we did not have any music ready so everything happened on site. We spent a lot Since I was very young, my eye was attracted to details and I think of time talking about life over a glass of wine and I got to know this is reflected in my choreography. I spent a lot of time watching his personality. Being a choreographer is also a bit like being a performances on YouTube or on dance forums, and a lot of time psychologist. educating myself, listening to music, watching the great modern He is a very high-level skater with a personality. What was dance choreographers and neo classics and that had a big impact interesting was that he asked me to develop another facet of his on me. I was attracted to modern art, new art. That doesn’t mean personality; he really wanted me to do something different. He felt that I do not appreciate the classics, but in dance I am a bit less that over the years his programs had become similar. I suggested attracted by the classics. different pieces of music — there was a piece that I really liked by I also spent a lot of time studying the great composers. There were Rachmaninov, rearranged in a more modern way. I had Daisuke some whose music I had already used, but I realized that I did not listen to it and he loved it immediately. know enough about their lives. I started with Sergei Rachmaninov I suggested a very modern choreography to him that was a — he is my favorite — and the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. I mix of the darkness and the elegance of Daisuke. He has a very also love Mozart, Beethoven and all the great composers. dark but very beautiful elegance and that worked very well with Rachmaninov. Who did you choreograph programs for this season? We tried the music on ice — there was a lot of improvisation; I suggested moves and he did them. Very quickly we knew that it I worked with Rika Kihira, , Kaori Sakamoto, Shun would work and we did the program within a week. Sato, , Ekaterina Kurakova, Gabriele Frangipani, We did that choreography during Alexei Mishin’s camp in , Luc Maierhofer, Eva-Lotta Kiibus, Bradie Courchevel and he had his skaters sit down after their practices Tennell and the U.S. pairs team of Jessica Calalang and Brian to watch Daisuke because he trained all day. Johnson. Mishin told his students, ‘take an example from this great With Satoko Miyahara, I reworked the short program I did champion and look how he is training, how he is working, how for her last year. She decided to use it for her gala performances he moves and dances.’

38 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 open to trying new ideas. When we worked on the one-handed cartwheel, she wanted to do it. I had tried it with other people that did not want to do it. When we finished the program everyone was surprised, including Rika, to see that in just a few days she had changed her style. I do not want to say that it wasn’t good before and that it is good now, but it was like an update.

How hard was it to break into the upper echelons in the world of choreography?

Perhaps one of the things that gave my career credibility was the fact that Daisuke trusted me to do the program for his comeback. He could have worked with any choreographer he had worked with before, but he wanted to work with me. I think that was a good message for the skating world. I found my space in a world where all the choreographers have been the same for 25 years. Everyone told me it would be impossible and that I would never be at a high level because it is only Lori Nichol, David Wilson, Shae-Lynn Bourne and Jeffrey Buttle. In fact, I realized that by working hard, it happened step by step.

Some skaters are more artistic than others. How do you deal with the different levels?

People like to compare, but the important thing is to find the personality of the skater. Each skater has a force. There are always skaters that are more artistic than others and I do not always have the most artistic skaters. I had Daisuke and I worked with , but people first saw my work with skaters that were not very artistic, but they started to like the choreography of those skaters. I see negative comments from people who say they do not like my work. I sometimes hear things like, ‘Kaori Sakamoto does not have beautiful arm movements,’ but Kaori is Kaori — she is not . To do choreography for someone like Patrick Chan or Carolina This season you worked with Rika Kihira. Can you tell us how that Kostner is very easy. This is not a criticism as I had this experience collaboration worked out? as well when I did a program for Denis Ten. It was fantastic to work with him because he was also a friend. When we were on It was very interesting. I was surprised when she contacted me the Junior Grand Prix circuit, we were together all the time. With during the summer because I thought her programs had already artists you can do incredible things. been choreographed. She and her mother had seen my work with But it is also very interesting to work with someone who basically other Japanese skaters and she said she had wanted to work with cannot dance and make them look fantastic on the ice. People asked me for some years. I do not know why it did not happen before. in the beginning what I was going to do with Bradie Tennell. When She asked me if I would do a short program. I told her to come I started working with her, she was like eighth at nationals, and the to . It was perfect timing and it went really well. We chose the next year she was the U.S. champion. As you find the ingredient music together, but I didn’t like the choice (“The Fire Within” by that makes each skater work, each season it gets better. I remember Jennifer Thomas) too much in the beginning, so I asked my music people saying that she cannot perform, only jump, but every season guru Cédric Tour to re-orchestrate it. He arranged something very Bradie’s components scores get better. At 2021 nationals she had interesting. I had Rika listen to it and she loved it. much higher component scores than everybody else. The choreography was done quickly. It was very professional — D U

A there was no hesitation, no bad moments, no misunderstandings. How challenging is it to combine creative choreography with the H C I

R Rika does not communicate too much in English, so we worked difficult technical content?

T î

O by feeling and sharing the movements, skating them together on N E B the ice. I do not think it is difficult at all because I accept it. I know the Y S E

T I like to share the movements with the skaters who do not speak rules very well and I do not think it is contradictory. We cannot R U

O English very well. Skating becomes the common language and forget that figure skating is a sport and if people come to see a C

: O

T you do not have to communicate too much with words. Some choreographer, it is to make a program with technical elements. I O H

P people say my choreography is challenging, but Rika was very look at it more as a game that you need to win. The choreography

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 39 needs to work and you need to find the right combination, the right ingredients, to make it work. Daniel Grassl has like five quads in his programs. He is interesting. I started working with him when he was 15 and still in juniors. The coach decides the technical elements and it is the role of the choreographer to know where to place them. I need to know where to place the elements in the program to make it comfortable for the skater. I like the challenge of combining the rules with what I like in a program. The difficulty can affect the creativity, but it does not disturb me — it motivates me to be even more creative. If I do an opening that I love but realize it is too long, I stop and do something different. I always manage to find something better in the end. That is the creativity in skating; it is Benoît Richaud and Italy’s Daniel Grassl totally different from dance. at the 2021 World Junior Championships.

You were an ice dancer but you do not do choreograph programs for that discipline. the ladies are much stronger than the men. They accept the work and the corrections much easier than the men do. I have realized, I do not do ice dance for several reasons. In figure skating, the strangely, that the guys are more emotional than the ladies. elements are the jumps, the spins and that’s it. In ice dance, the They always have a problem. ‘I am hurting here and there; I technical elements are 80 percent of the program. I realized that cannot skate more than one or two hours...’ Never with the ladies! when you do ice dance choreography it is changed so much during They never complain. I really appreciate their strength of character. the season by the coaches because they need to get the technical I like to work hard and I do a lot of repetitions and that is a bit scores. In fact, if you want to be an ice dance choreographer you more complicated for many of the guys. Not all, though. need to be a coach — and if you look at it, most of the ice dance Over the years I also realized I have this vision of women being coaches do the choreography for their skaters. So I have not strong. Women are very important to me and I have done very explored that. I would like to do it, but I have not searched for few programs where I presented the woman as fragile. I finally opportunities. understood that this is because of my perception of women. I am I am very interested in working with pairs teams. There is not an old school man at all; I have so much respect for them. something I like a lot about pairs, but I have not had many teams, God has given women something much stronger than men and which is a shame. Aljona Savchenko was very disappointed that I show this in my choreography. I like that the women are strong we only started to work together at the end of her career. She and and powerful, even in the music choice. Bruno (Massot) loved working with me. She wondered why we didn’t work together earlier. I could have done a lot of interesting Throughout the pandemic, you had to do a lot of choreography online. programs for them. How did that work out for you? I have worked in the U.S. and I was asked to go to Russia but because of the coronavirus, that did not happen. I have worked with It was very interesting. First of all, I like it when it is difficult. I the Chinese pairs teams and I liked it. I like working with singles like it when I am told it is ‘not possible’ or when I am told not to do and pairs because you can do really interesting things artistically. it, or that I would never manage. I want to do it even more then. When the coronavirus appeared I understood very quickly that I What, if any, is the difference between choreographing programs would need to do work online and I accepted it. for ladies and men? In the beginning it was difficult because I had never worked that

way. I am really into developing the relationship, the feeling, and E D A Good question. In my work I do not see a big difference between being with the skater and moving with them on the ice, but I have L F

A women and men because, for me, there are no ‘men and women.’ learned to share my choreography through words, by explaining N A J T

It is 2021 and I see people as people. I am interested in the person, much more. A T

: O the soul of the person. So I do not see a difference in that regard. It required a lot more talking and I had to do it in my living T O H

But, I work a lot more with ladies than with men and I would say room, which became my ice rink. I created the majority of my P

40 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 programs like that and I have to say it worked very well. It took see very nice senior-level competitions with , more time, but on the other hand, as we say in France, ‘Do you , Zagitova, Tuktamysheva and Medvedeva and see the glass as half full or half empty?’ have in juniors Alexandra Trusova, Anna Shcherbakova and Alena I have never had more contact with some of my skaters as much Kostornaia. They could move up to seniors at 17, and then we as I do now. Before, I worked with them for just four weeks a year, would see. but now I work with them every week. Thanks to the Internet, we I find the current system works very well for the men; there can work together every day. There are good sides to this experience is a group that stays for about 10 years, who battle against each and I think that something will develop from it in the future, and other. You watch them develop, know their personalities and you that it has already started. can get attached to them emotionally. But you do not have that Sure, I will travel again and choreography will be done in real so much with the ladies. I would also like to see other countries time. However, I think the virtual work will be interesting in the on the podium at the European Championships, but as long as future. Maybe I’ll go to China, the U.S. or Japan to do choreography we have this age thing it won’t happen. For the men it happens, or the skaters will come to me — and then afterwards, we can but not for the ladies. A lot of people would like to see a change. continue to work during the season online. We did not utilize that tool in the sport before. Can you talk about your projects, Peak Ice Camps and the Carte If I had suggested to my skaters to work online before COVID- Blanche Show? 19, they would have said, ‘No, that doesn’t work,’ ‘that is not good,’ or ‘I do not understand.’ But now, everyone is saying, ‘Ah yes, it Peak Ice Camps are training camps. I plan to organize skating is working’ because there is no choice. skills camps in Europe, Japan and the U.S. I do these camps in It is also nice to be able to pick up my kids every day from school. France now but the idea is to develop them internationally to give I work with the skaters and then my son comes to see me. This everyone a chance to participate. was not possible before the pandemic. The goal is really to re-educate through these camps. No matter if someone is an Olympic champion or will never go to Worlds or What is your opinion with respect to raising the age limit in skating? an Olympic Games, I teach the same things the same way. It is the same when I do choreography for high level or lower level skaters. I am totally, 250 percent for raising the age limit for two reasons. It There is also a Peak Ice Camp where I invite high-level coaches. has nothing to do with Russia because I respect Russia very much. This year we will have Sergei Rozanov, Angelina Turenko and I would like to be Russian in many ways because what they are Lorenzo Magri. We had and Sergei Voronov in doing for figure skating is fantastic. It is not about being jealous. the past. I like the Russians; technically they are the best. The goal The Russians are winning because they have a system. is to present a professional environment for skaters of all levels. I But I believe the age limit is a question that needs to be asked. have heard a lot of positive comments from people who attended The one thing that is very disappointing is when I see champions that it was the first time they had a real camp. disappearing quickly like and If it is a skating skills camp, we do three or four hours of skating who are very interesting. They have a lot of personality and it is a skills, technique, off-ice and two hours of dance every day and a shame that all these skaters disappear. little bit of yoga as well. The approach is really about development. There is no problem with an age limit for the men because as I work on all the components of skating plus dance, expression, the men develop with maturity their body is changing, but with creativity and interpretation. It is an all-round approach. the ladies, we see clearly that there is a problem. Carte Blanche is a concept for a show that will merge figure Also, the ladies are stronger technically in juniors than in seniors. skating and art, and will not be similar to any other show. It won’t You can do something when you are 13, 14 or 15 years old but be mainstream. I would like to reconnect the arts and everything cannot manage it at 17 or 18. Only some can manage it later — that has inspired me since my childhood — ballet, contemporary there is the example of Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. That’s it. She is dance, neo classics. the only one and she does not have the consistency she had when Carte Blanche is a concept to reproduce that on ice, to offer a she was 14 years old. show that touches people and that is remarkable for its artistic Now we are looking at two competitions: You have the young intention. ones that are very good technically, but they won’t maintain that The idea is to have the same feeling as if you went to the opera after one or two years. This is a shame. I was at the Grand Prix or a contemporary dance performance. I always say I do not want Final with Bradie last season and she noted that she was 21 years people to come and watch Carte Blanche to eat popcorn and drink old and the others were all between 15 and 17. Coca-Cola. I want them to come to be captivated by the experience, The problem is that they are mostly Russian — you rarely see to live the experience. the Americans, Japanese or others on a podium. I will choreograph all the Carte Blanche shows. The goal is I do not think raising the age limit will be a negative for Russia. to bring forward the choreography of skating. It will not be a The Russians can still win if they skate clean, but they won’t presentation of athletes even if there are Olympic champions. skate clean all the time in all competitions. There are probably This is not the goal. The goal is to propose art on ice, to reconnect competitions where they would make errors and then it could art with skating. be Rika or Bradie, or another skater from another country that Now we are just waiting until we can have public performances would win. and shows again. If you asked all the female skaters who have stopped if they The first shows will take place at the end of 2021 and starting would like to continue, I think they would all say yes. We could in 2022, we will have shows in Japan. IFS

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 41 2021 Russian Nationals

42 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 OPPOSITE PAGE: xPairs medalists (l to r): Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii (silver), and Vladimir Morozov (gold), and Daria Pavliuchenko and (bronze) xLadies medalists: Kamila Valieva, Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova

THIS PAGE: xMikhail Kolyada (center) was joined on the podium by two first time medalists – Makar Ignatov (silver) and Mark Kondratiuk (bronze) xThe top three teams posed for fun photos following the free dance press conference: Tiffani Zagorski and (silver), Alexandra Stepanova and (gold), and Anastasia Skoptcova and (bronze)

Photos: Tatjana Flade

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 43 Quicksteps

XNEXT GEN the ISU Council will evaluate and decide at that time whether any and what changes to the Olympic qualifing system might be necessary. Following the two-year ban Russia received in late 2020, its figure skaters will compete at these Championships under the banner of the Russian Figure Skating Federation, with uniforms bearing the insignia Figure Skating Russia (FSR). action. “There is no need to launch XOLYMPIC TEST the drones or to be offended that they were shot down,” Plushenko wrote in and Maxim an Instagram post. Trankov, the 2014 Olympic pairs “Thank you for your attention! I champions, are getting set to hope we won’t have any more curious welcome a second child in late May people. Do not interfere with my or early June. The couple announced work.” they are expecting a boy. Their daughter, Angelica, is 4. XOBITUARY Keegan Messing and his wife The 2022 Olympic Test Event has Lane shared the news that they are been rescheduled. The Asian Open expecting their first child on or about Figure Skating Trophy will replace July 4, 2021. “We have something in the designated competition (the the oven and it isn’t a bun,” Messing 2020 Grand Prix Final), and will take wrote in an Instagram post. place Oct. 13-17 at the Olympic ’s Valtter Virtanen, 33, and figure skating venue in Beijing. his wife, former German competitor Alina Mayer, 34, welcomed their first XWEDDING BELLS child, a baby girl on Jan. 5. Virtanen, Ilia Averbukh, 47, married Russian a five-time national champion, actress Liza Arzamasova, 25, in a balances his skating career with his civil ceremony on Dec. 20, 2020. real life job as a doctor. This is the second marriage for Anna Pogorilaya, 22, the 2016 Averbukh, the 2002 Olympic ice World bronze medalist from Russia dance silver medalist with Irina Morry Stillwell, the president of U.S. and her husband, Andrei Nevskiy, Lobacheva, whom he married in Figure Skating from 1995 to 1998, 27, a former ice dancer, became 1995. The couple divorced in 2007. passed away on Dec. 25, 2020 at first time parents to a daughter on age 93. Dec. 22. XEXPLODING DRONES Stillwell, a former ice dancer, No names have been announced. In early January Evgeni Plushenko national singles and pairs judge and provided a virtual tour of his property referee, had served as an official for X2021 WORLDS in the Moscow region where his new the organization since 1951. He was On Jan. 28, the International academy is located, showing the at the helm when the organization Skating Union (ISU) announced that cottages he has had constructed for signed its most lucrative television the World Championships would Julia Lipnitskaia, Alexandra Trusova contract with ABC in 1997, and was go ahead as scheduled from March and . the driving force behind the U.S. 22-28 in Stockholm, Sweden. Plushenko was unimpressed when joining Canada, France, Germany Depending upon the entries the Russian press flew drones over and Japan as the originating nations received by the March 1 deadline, his property and decided to take of the Grand Prix Series.

44 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 We are making progress, When I joined Alexei it’s a special thing, which but we are far from Mishin's group, everything is why I’m very happy — exercises, training — was becoming a major force in and also grateful. — Shoma the world with our men, new for me. It was like a Uno, on competing at Japanese ladies and ice dancers all breath of fresh air. nationals. — Mikhail Kolyada struggling to catch up I felt that everyone was with the world’s best. — She has so much to offer. really nervous. I could feel China’s head coach, Hongbo Zhao These nationals proved that nervousness and that she is not just a jumper. It was definitely the made me nervous. — Patrice She can be an incredible Lauzon, on top three ice dance biggest challenge with artist, but it takes time. teams at the U.S. Championships the coronavirus, me I am just so proud. — growing and having an , coach of Alysa Liu I’m still very far from injury. But I am up for Hanyu and Uno. They any challenge. Alexandra Trusova are much faster than — Alysa Liu, on preparing for and is not afraid of me. — Yuma Kagiyama competing at U.S. nationals. anything and It feels great, like wants to be ahead It was pretty terrible. Not of the rest of the much else to say. — Gracie everything in life Gold, on her short program at U.S. — Maria Butryskaya, planet. nationals that you try for the the 1999 World champion first time. Honestly, Nationals was my first when I was an athlete I have a cool daughter! She has an iron and last competition myself, I did not in 2020, so I was very expect coaching character. Where does it come from? I do not excited to participate. — Satoko Miyahara would be so exciting. know — maybe from — Sergei Voronov somewhere in space. I would love to be — Anna Shcherbakova’s father, If Mikhail Kolyada has a able to win the next Stanislav Shcherbakov quad Lutz, a quad toe loop Olympics, but if that and a quad Salchow then doesn’t happen it’s yes, he is quite a competitive Before corona, I not like my legacy or athlete — although Hanyu took it for granted who I am is ultimately and Chen are from the realm to participate in diminished. of fantasy. — competitions, but now — Nathan Chen

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 45 CREATIVE DESIGNS +HPZ\RL;HRHOHZOPOHZILLUHZI\Z`VɈ the ice as he has been on it. Since 2018, the 34-year-old from Japan has been working as an interior designer for Sky Court Co. Ltd., a Japanese real estate company, in his spare time. 0U1HU\HY` OL\U]LPSLKOPZÄYZ[ project, a 13-storey condominium complex in Tokyo known as D-iberté Asakusa. Takahashi designed both the interior and NEW INDUCTEE exterior of the structure, which has a red +]PZPISLVU[OL[VWÅVVY;OL\UP[ZZVSK out before the complex was completed. In early 2020, he announced the completion of a second project, a renovation of older buildings. Takahashi worked on the project remotely from his current training base in Florida. The Japanese star said he finds the work relaxing and provides him with a good life balance.

REFLECTIONS Friends and fans of the 1972 Olympic champion, Ondrej Nepela, honored what would is headed to the U.S. have been his 70th birthday on Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Jan. 22 with a commemorative The 2001 World junior champion, book. who won three consecutive U.S. titles More of a memoir, it provides (2004-2006), bronze at the 2008 World an insight into his life and career, Championships and competed at with quotes and comments from two Olympic Winter Games, said the Petr Barna, Jozef SabovÏík, Tim nomination was an honor. Wood and many others. Following his retirement in October The authors of the book are 2013, Weir signed on as an analyst offering it for free via a link with the NBC network. Due to the that can be downloaded or a coronavirus pandemic, the induction PDF, which would be emailed ceremony was postponed. His to anyone who is interested in induction will take place at the [OPZLYHVMÄN\YLZRH[PUNOPZ[VY` U.S. Championships in Nashville, If you would like a copy of this Tennessee, in January 2022. e-book, email zdenkavane@ gmail.com to obtain one. OFF THE AIR Following weeks of rumored changes at NBC, the network announced it would shut down its NBCSN sports channel by the end of 2021. With the current media trend of consolidating cable channels, NBC’s strategy is to grow its Peacock paid streaming service while, at the same time, promoting programming on its other channels such as the USA Network. Major sports will move to the USA Network while smaller niche sports are OLHKLK[V7LHJVJR5)*»Z6S`TWPJ*OHUULS^PSSUV[ILHɈLJ[LK

46 IFSMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2021 INVESTING IN AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE

On January 15, U.S. Figure Skating announced the establishment of the Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours Fund, which will support the training DQGGHYHORSPHQWRISURPLVLQJÀJXUH skaters who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). , who placed sixth at the 2020 U.S. Championships, has been selected as the inaugural recipient RIWKH)XQG·VWRSDZDUGRI 86)LJXUH6NDWLQJ·VFRUSRUDWHSDUWQHU Guaranteed Rate matched the award as part of its commitment to identify opportunities to enhance diversity ZLWKLQ86)LJXUH6NDWLQJ·V(TXLW\DQG ,QFOXVLRQ '(, LQLWLDWLYHV 7ZRDGGLWLRQDODZDUGVIRU DQXSDQGFRPLQJDWKOHWHDQG for a developmental athlete will be announced at a later date. A generous donation from The Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation kick-started the Fund, which aims to KHOS%,32&ÀJXUHVNDWHUVUHDOL]HDQG achieve their maximum athletic potential. It focuses on athletes who demonstrate and emphasize the attributes of good sportsmanship, commitment, perseverance and determination in striving to be their very best in the sport and in their off-ice pursuits. “Words cannot describe how thankful I am to be the first recipient of the Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours,” said Andrews. “She (Mabel) paved the way and made opportunities for all people by creating an environment in which we are all equal. I am also excited to represent P\FRPPXQLW\RI%,32&ÀJXUHVNDWHUV LQWKH*XDUDQWHHG5DWH¶%HOLHYH

APRIL 2021 IFSMAGAZINE.COM 47 2021 COMPETITION SCHEDULE

DATE 2021 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TIME (LOCAL)

Ladies Short 10:00 a.m. Wed. March 24 Opening Ceremony 5:30 p.m. Pairs Short 6:30 p.m. Men’s Short Thu. March 25 11:00 a.m. Pairs Free 6:30 p.m. Rhythm Dance Fri. March 26 10:45 a.m. Ladies Free 6:00 p.m. Men’s Free 11:00 a.m. Sat. March 27 Dance Free 5:00 p.m. Sun. March 28 Gala Exhibition 2:30 p.m.

DATE 2021 JUNIOR GRAND PRIX CITY/COUNTRY Aug. 18-21 Courchevel France Aug. 25-28 Canada (Pairs) Sep.1-4 Kosice (Pairs) Sep. 15-18 Krasnoyarsk Russia (Pairs) Sep. 22-25 Ljubljana Sep. 29-Oct. 2 (EBˮTL Oct. 6-9 (Pairs) Dec. 9-12 Junior Grand Prix Final , Japan DATE OLYMPIC QUALIFYING EVENT CITY/COUNTRY Sep. 22-25 Nebelhorn Trophy Oberstdorf, Germany DATE OLYMPIC TEST EVENT CITY/COUNTRY

Oct. 13-17 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy Beijing, China DATE 2021 SENIOR GRAND PRIX CITY/COUNTRY Oct. 22-24 Skate America TBA Oct. 29-31 Skate Canada Vancouver, B.C. Nov. 5-7 Chongqing Nov. 12-14 NHK Trophy Tokyo, Japan Nov. 19-21 Grenoble Nov. 26-28 Rostelecom Cup Moscow, Russia Dec. 9-12 Grand Prix Final Osaka, Japan 2022 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES SCHEDULE BEIJING, CHINA

DATE TEAM EVENT TIME (LOCAL)

Men’s Short Fri. Feb.4 Ladies Short 9:30 a.m. – 2:35 p.m. Rhythm Dance Opening Ceremony

Sun. Feb. 6 Pairs Short Men’s Free 9:30 a.m. – 1:05 p.m.

Pairs Free Mon. Feb. 7 Free Dance 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Ladies Free

DATE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS TIME (LOCAL)

Tue. Feb. 8 Men’s Short 9:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Thu. Feb. 10 Men’s Free 9:30 a.m. – 1:40 p.m.

Fri. Feb 11 Rhythm Dance 7:00 p.m. – 10:40 p.m.

Sun. Feb. 13 Free Dance 10:00 a.m. – 1:35 p.m.

Tue. Feb. 15 Ladies Short 6:00 p.m. – 10:25 p.m.

Thu. Feb. 17 Ladies Free 6:00 p.m. – 10:10 p.m.

Fri. Feb. 18 Pairs Short 6:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.

Sat. Feb. 19 Pairs Free 7:00 p.m. – 10:05 p.m.

Sun Feb. 20 Exhibition Gala 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.