James/Radford announce partnership

[BlissfulSynergy]

Getting back to J/R's purported song selection by Harry Styles, it is probably brave of skaters to tackle songs with 'falling in the lyrics and title.' However, it is also possible to disassociate the idea of falling on the ice from the concept of falling in and out of love, and into depression and contemplation about perhaps finding a way forward through adversity. In any case, I'm not that acquainted with the pulse of popular music these days. I know the names of some popular singers on the scene today, but I don't know a lot about their music, so I would likely not win at "Name That Song/ Artist/ Title" contests. LOL

Vanessa & Eric truly did make it clear they didn't want to divulge their music selections, but indicated, as I recall, that they had put a lot of thought into their choices and had settled on music for both programs. Because obviously they need to be working hard right now on choreography. It pays to revisit some of the direct quotes from their interview with Asher and Dylan:

Eric: "This has come totally out of the blue and out of left field. It's something that has just manifested in front of us quite easily and without us trying. I realize that I am 36. I'm going to be 37 at the Olympics... If anybody had asked me five months ago, I would have been like, 'No bleeping way. Not going to happen.' And here it is. It's happening... What's so amazing is that I can feel a familiarity, but it's a totally different flavor. And that's what's so exciting about it for me. It's like I'm returning home, but with a sense of curiosity and exploration, to a home that I'm familiar with but that I've never been to before..."

Vanessa: "We are healthy. We are blessed to be in good shape. We have nothing to lose... This is something that we can't compare with anything we've done before. It's an opportunity for us to get back into the skating world and to see what we can offer... There's room for us..."

In his Instagram announcement, Eric quotes Eleanor Roosevelt:
"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."
Eric on the piano: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkim4hJPDW/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLINvhRprNF/


** Regarding the whole question of what kind of team J/R might become, I think they both bring interesting qualities and possibilities to their partnership. In their time away from skating, they have both spent two seasons as contestants on BOTB. I am sure that it was fun for both of them, as well as a way to explore different ways of expressing themselves on the ice while teaching hockey players about the unique aspects of pairs skating.

I saw a bit of BOTB season 5 in 2019, and I thought both Eric and Vanessa were standouts, along with Andrew Poje, Kaitlyn Weaver, and Katia Gordeeva. Unfortunately, Vanessa and her partner were eliminated too early last season. She had another very tall and big partner for season 6, in fall 2020 (Akim Aliu), who I think improved a bit more than her partner from season 5 (Brian McGrattan, who had a similar hefty build). So in season 6, Vanessa got to the semi-finals with her wonderful partner, Akim. Sadly, because the viewing audience has a say in the outcome, Vanessa and Akim were unfairly cut from the final. It is so obvious that both Meagan and her partner, Wojtek, and Vanessa and her partner, Akim, deserved to go head-to-head in the final, as both teams were more technically advanced and well-matched. Asher Hill got the nod for the final with his partner, which was nice, but he's an ice dancer and his partner is a hockey player, so neither were much competition for Meagan and Wojtek, who had a very good vibe together. Still, I think Vanessa's partner, Akim was a bit smoother and had improved his pairs skills more-so over the course of the season than Wojtek. It's a fun show to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3dRb0C0T1I (@ 3:21 Vanessa talks about what she learned from Akim on BOTB) And they skate first in the semi-final to 'Scared to Live'

More from Vanessa & Akim. Wow! I love the full split on the ice into a throw at the end of their routine! Maybe Vanessa & Eric can adapt this boss move for eligible competition:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k0n1FjIXko (early in season 6)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k0n1FjIXko (steady improvement by Akim)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IOnPURt6g0 island vibe -- lots of fun

Vanessa with season 5 partner, Brian (back in the days when full audiences were still en vogue/ possible):

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

I must say, I'm loving Vanessa's costuming on BOTB -- a departure from bodysuits. She looks good in anything! She has such style and verve.

Below are some clips of Eric on BOTB season 6. I think in both seasons 5 and 6 Eric's partners were okay, but it's possibly a bit harder for female hockey players to transition seamlessly to pairs skating since in pairs as in ballet, the focus is largely on the woman, with the man showing her off. So it is harder for a good pairs guy to camouflage pairs skating weaknesses of their hockey player partners. In season 6 BOTB, Andrew Poje (as an ice dancer) with his hockey player partner, Natalie Spooner, were somewhat of an anomaly in how well they meshed. Of course in high level pairs competition, the man's role is equally important. Still the best male pairs partners can do the heavy lifting, throwing and twirling with ease and aplomb while a lot of the focus is on presenting the female.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru4D2Py97Ik Season 6 intro to Eric & his partner, Jennifer (they're pleasant to watch)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZkPyp1XKqQ Very nice; I like Eric's solo jump, and Jennifer holds her own
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6h560pwGTg This was a really nice concept to 'Sparrow.' Still, at 5'8" Jennifer is rather tall, and without dynamic pairs skills in the female role, they created a watchable program by relying on a theatrical concept, with Eric making the more interesting difference --
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH6vGPOtYac Season 5 Eric with Amanda Kessell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzAYQ7qt8LE Eric & Amanda

I'm posting these clips because I think we can see the growth and creative exploration from both Eric & Vanessa during their time on BOTB, as they tried to teach and perform with hockey players. So their past eligible partnerships, along with the fun and stretching of their horizons that they did on BOTB I think holds them in great stead, and is likely part of why coming together as partners themselves seemed to happen so organically, as Eric described in That Skating Show interview.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

if what you are insinuating here is correct, that Skate Canada may have influenced this pairing from the BOTB show, then Meagan was definitely wronged by them.

Also, for those who do not know this : julie marcotte was a junior national champion in ice dance in 1989. Do not ask me why I know this i won't answer. She injured herself and her work as a choreographer started working on Bruno's programs. The rest is history.

Hey, thanks for that interesting background on Julie Marcotte! Boy what is it about all the best choreographers happening to be former ice dancers!? So Julie is another ice dancer turned choreographer, making a huge difference in pairs choreography. And now, she's also broadening her horizons into coaching.

I don't think that Meagan was 'wronged,' if in fact SC had some initial involvement. Plus, I don't know for a fact that SC precipitated the idea for the J/R partnership. It's just supposition on my part, which obviously doesn't have to be true. Eric and Meagan were still ostensibly partners during the past year, but there was a distance in miles, and eventually a distance in communicating well, apparently. Still, the driving factors in the formation of the J/R partnership seem mainly to be the uncertainties of the pandemic hurting the pocketbooks of a lot of skaters. Also, obviously Vanessa being free after retiring with Morgan last September. Vanessa having winning pairs talent, and still being interested in competing and feeling like she has 'unfinished business In addition, Skate Canada needing to rebuild its pairs program and seemingly seizing what might end up being a good opportunity to enrich and to pump more energy and excitement into Canadian pairs. This, at a transitional time, during which rival U.S. pairs teams are heating up with stellar potential and competitiveness.

Therefore, all-in-all, this looks like a strategic business decision for SC, as well as ultimately a beneficial opportunity for all involved, including the teams who might be peeved at the moment, without taking into account the importance of having another team made up of two proven veterans who likely can help to secure major competition spots. Tough decisions that might hurt certain individuals happen all the time in sports, entertainment, the business world, life. Meagan has said that she would have liked to be told sooner. But Meghan's level of hurt and public pronouncements suggests to me that even had she been told sooner, her reaction would be much the same.

BTW, I don't see many fans suggesting that Robin Szolkowy was 'wronged' by Aliona Savchenko, under somewhat similar circumstances.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I know what you mean. Often I find that I can write myself out of one of my darker moods. Yet, it's sometimes hard to make the effort. It's a great thing when I have a good listener who gets it and cares to be there. I hope your current woes and complaints will be lifted, even if just a little at a time.

Thank you so much @skylark for your kind words. I love your enthusiasm and excitement for pairs skating!

 

[4everchan]

Hey, thanks for that interesting background on Julie Marcotte! Boy what is it about all the best choreographers happening to be former ice dancers!? So Julie is another ice dancer turned choreographer, making a huge difference in pairs choreography. And now, she's also broadening her horizons into coaching.



BTW, I don't see many fans suggesting that Robin Szolkowy was 'wronged' by Aliona Savchenko, under somewhat similar circumstances.

1) to me it seems obvious why many ice dancers are great choreographers. Those who choose to do ice dance, choose to train dance patterns, learn intricate step sequences, invent creative lift and partnering positions, and of course, are the athletes who need to portray characters the most... so, a) their inclination for such things + b) their training in such things = choreographic expertise potential.

2) where were you when that happened? I cannot speak for others, AND the circumstances were different but I was very upset about the Robin- Aliona story... I was a huge fan of Robin... and it didn't help as I never liked Massot, never got to the time to find something I liked in him. It may have happened over time but they pretty much came back, won Olympics and vanished... Robin remains a very special skater in my memory

 

[skylark]

I have a hard time, especially after the Worlds coverage, of giving TSL any clicks on their Youtube channel

I understand that, I really do, and everyone has to make their own decision. I feel they're not going anywhere and my click doesn't make any difference, but for many it's the principle and the decision not to be a party, which are good points.

The odd thing is that Lease does have a very professional presentation for the interviews. He can ask the hardest questions that everyone wants to hear the answer to, while being very respectful of the interviewee. Another talent: he listens to their answers and goes with their feelings and thoughts, to explore the new direction, rather than being tied to his prepared list; and his deep preparation is evident.

The contrast when he and Jonathan do their gossip fests is, well, crazy. Lease goes off the rails on a regular basis. And in the Worlds recap of the ladies, Meagan went off the rails. The weird thing about her rant about Anna was that she formerly would push back against much criticism of her skating with Eric by claiming that the criticism was body shaming of her.

I didn't listen to all the Worlds recaps, but the pairs recap with Elena Bechke was wonderful. She was insightful, warm, generous, and analytic.

OT - I wish we still had the old board cute OT emoji.

 

[skylark]

2) where were you when that happened? I cannot speak for others, AND the circumstances were different but I was very upset about the Robin- Aliona story... I was a huge fan of Robin... and it didn't help as I never liked Massot, never got to the time to find something I liked in him. It may have happened over time but they pretty much came back, won Olympics and vanished... Robin remains a very special skater in my memory

That shows how true it is that taste plays a role. I agree with you that Robin is a very special skater. And in my opinion, therein is a bit of a clue: When Robin and Aliona skated, I saw two individual skaters doing pairs elements together.

Whereas when Aljona and Bruno skated together, what I perceived was much more two skating as one, not just in terms of elements and unison, but in terms of emotion, connection and unity of purpose. I can't tell you how many times I've read or heard fans and other pairs skaters saying that S/M's "La Terre Vue au Ciel" at Olympics or Worlds is a program they keep returning to watch over and over. Elena Bechke added "when I'm a little down" it just makes her happy. I agree. I love to have that uplifting experience again of watching it.

Back on topic, that emotional unity is something I sense with Vanessa and Eric. Whether it will manifest or not, is a really exciting question that I'm looking so forward to watching play out.

 

[ladyjane]

That shows how true it is that taste plays a role. I agree with you that Robin is a very special skater. And in my opinion, therein is a bit of a clue: When Robin and Aliona skated, I saw two individual skaters doing pairs elements together.

Whereas when Aljona and Bruno skated together, what I perceived was much more two skating as one, not just in terms of elements and unison, but in terms of emotion, connection and unity of purpose. I can't tell you how many times I've read or heard fans and other pairs skaters saying that S/M's "La Terre Vue au Ciel" at Olympics or Worlds is a program they keep returning to watch over and over. Elena Bechke added "when I'm a little down" it just makes her happy. I agree. I love to have that uplifting experience again of watching it.

Back on topic, that emotional unity is something I sense with Vanessa and Eric. Whether it will manifest or not, is a really exciting question that I'm looking so forward to seeing.

I felt the same with Aljona and Bruno, both with the Lighthouse FS in the 2016-2017 season (especially at Europeans) and with La Terre Vue du Ciel at the GPF, OG and at Worlds in 2017-2018. I have been re-watching those programmes again and again. Yes, even the one at GPF 2017, which wasn't as good as the other two but still very good.

If Vanessa and Eric can bring that kind of emotional unity to the ice, I'll really be rooting for them - even if I still have mixed feelings about them because of this whole business due to a lack of communication.

There were a lot of issues in 2014 with Robin's retirement and Aljona's wish to continue. Also about a lack of communication. Tatjana Flade's book about this is very enlightening (there is only one person in there who comes out rather badly, and it's neither, Robin, Bruno nor Aljona). But I was so happy when she came back to competition! However, Aljona and Bruno had 3 years to finally rise to the very top - from 3rd at their debut to 2nd in their second year to first in their final season.

Let's see if Vanessa and Eric can do it in one, or perhaps they'll remain a bit longer. Who knows?

 

[Skater Boy]

It was el henry who said that she always has seen a quote from the former partner in a *new-partnership announcement.*
(The post of mine that you quoted was a counterexample in response to her.)

Thx for your posts, brightphoton.

Seriously, you are making this wildly improbable suggestion!?

 

[Skater Boy]

Been reading some of the different perspectives. I do like that at least Vanessa is really Canadian. I am not a fan really of those who skate for countries just to compete in all honesty - but that's life Synde Vogel, Susanna Driano, The Reeds and several skaters who skating for Soviet nations. i agree there is room for them especially since Russia doesn't really have a for sure top team, Sui and Han are the faves though always injured so there is room. Trennt and EVelyn might be fighting for their olympic lives.

 

[4everchan]

Been reading some of the different perspectives. I do like that at least Vanessa is really Canadian. I am not a fan really of those who skate for countries just to compete in all honesty - but that's life Synde Vogel, Susanna Driano, The Reeds and several skaters who skating for Soviet nations. i agree there is room for them especially since Russia doesn't really have a for sure top team, Sui and Han are the faves though always injured so there is room. Trennt and EVelyn might be fighting for their olympic lives.

i think there is a difference with single skaters competing for a different country, whether or not they have strong ties to it, and pairs and ice dance... Piper and Paul, Weaver and Poje, Belbin Agosto, Savenchko with almost everyone she skated with.... you need to find the right partner and it doesn't necessarily mean locally... I have no problem with that. Regarding Trennt and Evelyn, they would have been fighting for their olympic lives no matter what... it's not like the other pairs in Canada would have let them just go to the games without a battle.

 

[ladyjane]

i think there is a difference with single skaters competing for a different country, whether or not they have strong ties to it, then pairs and ice dance... Piper and Paul, Weaver and Poje, Belbin Agosto, Savenchko with almost everyone she skated with.... you need to find the right partner and it doesn't necessarily means locally... I have no problem with that. Regarding Trennt and Evelyn, they would have been fighting for their olympic lives no matter what... it's not like the other pairs in Canada would have let them just go to the games without a battle.

Definitely. There's a big difference. I for one am so pleased we finally have some Dutch Pairs (at all), with - yes - Dutch men (both, accidentally, with a parental link to Russia) and a partner from Russia. There just weren't any Dutch partners to continue with. So, these guys looked abroad for someone to skate with. And what is wrong with that?

I was also very happy that in Ice Dance the 'Danadians' found a home in Canada, so they could continue to compete for this country. It had nothing to do with not being good enough for one country to skate for, but everything with problems of citizenship. They would have been just as successful skating for Denmark. And I think that the Danish fans will still be following them. It's so easy to say skaters just switch to compete. Especially with Pairs and Ice Dance, there's a lot more than that.

So, that bit, of Vanessa 'switching' countries has not been part of my issues with this new, exciting, combination. And I wish Evelyn and Trennt all the luck and consistency in the World. Go for it guys! You're good, keep it up and who knows what happens?

 

[4everchan]

Definitely. There's a big difference. I for one am so pleased we finally have some Dutch Pairs (at all), with - yes - Dutch men (both, accidentally, with a parental link to Russia) and a partner from Russia. There just weren't any Dutch partners to continue with. So, these guys looked abroad for someone to skate with. And what is wrong with that?

I was also very happy that in Ice Dance the 'Danadians' found a home in Canada, so they could continue to compete for this country. It had nothing to do with not being good enough for one country to skate for, but everything with problems of citizenship. They would have been just as successful skating for Denmark. And I think that the Danish fans will still be following them. It's so easy to say skaters just switch to compete. Especially with Pairs and Ice Dance, there's a lot more than that.

So, that bit, of Vanessa 'switching' countries has not been part of my issues with this new, exciting, combination. And I wish Evelyn and Trennt all the luck and consistency in the World. Go for it guys! You're good, keep it up and who knows what happens?

I call them the Canes... much more elegant than Danadians

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

2) where were you when that happened? I cannot speak for others, AND the circumstances were different but I was very upset about the Robin- Aliona story... I was a huge fan of Robin... and it didn't help as I never liked Massot, never got to the time to find something I liked in him. It may have happened over time but they pretty much came back, won Olympics and vanished... Robin remains a very special skater in my memory

I was certainly fully engaged on skating boards at that time. I'm the one who first coined the phrase, "Let the Skaters Skate!" -- in reference tothe troubles Aliona/Bruno had in the beginning. That slogan was quickly picked up and ran with by those who put together a petition on behalf of Aliona/Bruno.

There are some relevant similarities in the cases of Aliona wanting to continue competing, and Robin thinking that Aliona was committed to pursuing a pro career in shows with him. Aliona did not tell Robin immediately about her plan to skate with Bruno. After 2010, Robin was thinking of retiring but he decided to go along with Aliona's desire to compete for another four years and try again for the Olympics, as the Olympic gold medal was always elusive for them, despite their huge talent which landed them multiple World championships.

Although there were fans who discussed how sad it was for Robin, there was not a huge contingent looking askance at Aliona for not being immediately straightforward with Robin. Aliona/Bruno had a lot of supporters. There was sympathy for Robin, but not to the level Meagan has been receiving. Plus, Robin took it in stride for the most part, and he didn't make his feelings public. He tried to pursue a pro career with a different skater, but it didn't pan out. It helped tremendously when Nina Mozer offered Robin a coaching position in Russia.

It's kind of you to have been upset for Robin. And it's nice that 'Robin remains a very special skater' in your memory. I've always said that Aliona's years with Robin and Ingo certainly made what she achieved with Bruno, possible. I've often seen Robin being slighted by some fans over the years on forums. So, you either see certain things or you don't, which doesn't mean dismissive attitudes don't exist in the skating world.

 

[lariko]

Fine... right now, with Kaetlyn's retirement and Gabby's injuries, Canada is not as competitive as it used to be a few years ago, but really?

The current group of ladies is not competitive. They are not competitive with Americains, Koreans, Japanese & some of the European countries. This is simply how it is. Canada did not prepare for the succession in ladies’ skating or the changes in the ladies’ field.

 

[chasingneverland]

The current group of ladies is not competitive. They are not competitive with Americains, Koreans, Japanese & some of the European countries. This is simply how it is. Canada did not prepare for the succession in ladies’ skating or the changes in the ladies’ field.

What?? They're not competitive with the Russians and Japanese. The Americans and Koreans are also ahead but not exactly pillars of consistency either. But the European countries?? hahahah

 

[4everchan]

The current group of ladies is not competitive. They are not competitive with Americains, Koreans, Japanese & some of the European countries. This is simply how it is. Canada did not prepare for the succession in ladies’ skating or the changes in the ladies’ field.

ermm.. you mentioned that James, who hasn't skated singles in years would be a better option than our current ladies. I think I will stick with my opinion on this matter. I believe in our young talent with Madeline, Allison and Kaiya coming up, and trust that Gabby, Alicia and even Veronik would do better than James in singles... And, there are other girls who could also beat her... so to me, your post was dismissive of our current ladies in suggesting that Vanessa James could make the team. It is fine to recognize that our girls do not have quads and 3axels.. but to suggest that someone who hasn't skated singles in over a decade, and probably cannot do any triple jumps above a salchow anymore, is just offensive. I think this kind of narrative has to stop.

PS : even when Kaetlyn and Gabby were at their prime, many posters were dismissive of Canadian ladies... right before Helsinki and even after they claimed two of the 3 podium spots... already back then, it was all about the Russian and Japanese ladies.. but then in 2018... there was a Canadian on the Olympic podium... and she won worlds a few months after that... so, can we move on ? It's getting tiring. Let's applaud the efforts of every athlete. There are only 3 spots on the podium but a girl who finishes 13th in the world at her first big international competition is worth some praise too.

 

[Lamente Ariane]

Been reading some of the different perspectives. I do like that at least Vanessa is really Canadian. I am not a fan really of those who skate for countries just to compete in all honesty - but that's life Synde Vogel, Susanna Driano, The Reeds and several skaters who skating for Soviet nations. i agree there is room for them especially since Russia doesn't really have a for sure top team, Sui and Han are the faves though always injured so there is room. Trennt and EVelyn might be fighting for their olympic lives.

This is not the first time you’ve referenced “the Reeds” skating for multiple countries when it’s clear you actually just mean Alison Reed. Cathy and Chris skated for Japan, period— a country they had actual ties to through their mother and a country Cathy is still deeply connected to and invested in improving ice dance in. For the record I don’t think Alison’s done anything wrong by skating for the countries her partners represented, but it’s just factually untrue to say “the Reeds”, plural, have skated for countries “just to compete.”

 

[4everchan]

whole post

ermm... the current context with social media being so present in our lives is definitely giving more emphasis on current splits than those that happened years ago... however, it's not because some got away with bad behaviour before social media was everywhere, that this bad behaviour didn't exist or is excusable. I will end this topic here.

 

[Puchi]

Different time and different people. Robin handled it like a gentleman.

 

[noskates]

I keep wishing I could find that "beating a dead horse" emoticon. This topic has been dissected to death. It's unfortunate that a good team like Radford and Duhamel have ended up this way but only they know their feelings and how they're handling it individually. I've always thought that Meagan was extremely happy being a mother and working with her husband coaching pair teams. I don't know that Eric was doing anything so I can imagine the thought of having a purpose again was attractive to him. It's just too bad that their personal interactions had to be played out in the media and open to such minute inspection and diverse opinions. And the bottom line is - where are these shows that they're missing out on?????