James/Radford announce partnership

[CrazyKittenLady]

I know he's probably tongue-in-cheek but I wonder if it would be possible for them to go on SOI together? Perhaps a guest appearance by Wojtek might be appreciated by Canadian SOI fans who also follow BOB.

Why not? Maxim Marinin occasionally does shows together with his former "Ice Age" partner Alla Mikheeva (a Russian actress).

 

[chasingneverland]

Feeling for Meagan, who had an oral contract to do shows, is different to me than Alexa and Brandon, and every other skater who has switched partners during their competetive career.

The thing with an oral contract to do shows, that's before a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. There is NO GUARANTEE shows in Canada will happen at all this year. In fact, Ontario is in yet another lockdown and it's already almost May. In Alberta, we're not looking at being done the FIRST vaccine roll-out until about September-October.

 

[el henry]

The thing with an oral contract to do shows, that's before a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. There is NO GUARANTEE shows in Canada will happen at all this year. In fact, Ontario is in yet another lockdown and it's already almost May. In Alberta, we're not looking at being done the FIRST vaccine roll-out until about September-October.

Absolutely true, and the same thing with practice ice

Just that I see leaving a partner with real money on the table, whether now or in the future, a little differently than the musical chairs of competitive skating. Not that anyone involved asked me

 

[coldblueeyes]

I think the issue was just being blind-sided. I mean, we haven't really heard Eric saying much/defending himself/whatever, but it feels like she didn't even get the chance to talk to him about it before the announcement, which seems a bit cheap considering how much they went through together. Of course, we don't really know what exactly went down, but I can't help the bitter taste this leaves in my mouth.

 

[chasingneverland]

Absolutely true, and the same thing with practice ice

Just that I see leaving a partner with real money on the table, whether now or in the future, a little differently than the musical chairs of competitive skating. Not that anyone involved asked me

I agree with that. I'd just like to try to wait until we get everyone's statements.

Even with Vanessa, I don't know what she knew but there's a chance she's just as much a victim and didn't know.

 

[Tavi...]

The thing with an oral contract to do shows, that's before a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. There is NO GUARANTEE shows in Canada will happen at all this year. In fact, Ontario is in yet another lockdown and it's already almost May. In Alberta, we're not looking at being done the FIRST vaccine roll-out until about September-October.

And that’s why most contracts have force majeure clauses which let you off the hook for performing if you’re prevented by an “act of god.” That doesn’t mean you can breach a contract, even an oral one, in anticipation that you might not be able to perform when the time comes. In other words, the pandemic is not an excuse for backing out of something you agreed to do so that you can go do something you’d rather do.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I haven't been following pairs so this is a real bombshell for me. But it's really great news, I like both of them a lot.

 

[Amei]

Absolutely true, and the same thing with practice ice

Just that I see leaving a partner with real money on the table, whether now or in the future, a little differently than the musical chairs of competitive skating. Not that anyone involved asked me

Thats the gamble of going into pairs or ice dance, there's another party that you have to rely on, ask Tai Babilonia it could be far worse.

 

[chasingneverland]

And that’s why most contracts have force majeure clauses which let you off the hook for performing if you’re prevented by an “act of god.” That doesn’t mean you can breach a contract, even an oral one, in anticipation that you might not be able to perform when the time comes. In other words, the pandemic is not an excuse for backing out of something you agreed to do so that you can go do something you’d rather do.

We don't know the terms of their contract. We don't even know if it was yes let's do ice shows for 2020 and see from there.

 

[ladyjane]

We don't know the terms of their contract. We don't even know if it was yes let's do ice shows for 2020 and see from there.

Usually, there aren't contracts between friends. That's not how friendships work (at least mine don't). There's an understanding because of mutual trust. And so there was this verbally agreed notion to do shows. Because Meagan and Eric were friends! Mates, whatever. Why would a contract be necessary if you think you're on the same level?

 

[el henry]

Thats the gamble of going into pairs or ice dance, there's another party that you have to rely on, ask Tai Babilonia it could be far worse.

well, since no one ever accused me of being afraid to say the same thing twice (or three times, or four times).

this is NOT “oh Eric left for another partner, too bad so sad that happens in the world of pairs competetive skating”

IF (and I am relying on Meagan’s account here, but we have no other account) there were oral promises to participate in shows where money is involved, and Meagan lost money due to Eric‘s breaking his promises, that is different. Very different. (of course that would be in the US, and totally dependent on facts, and god only knows the law in Canada because I sure don’t )

plus it’s a jerk (not to mention cowardly) move on Eric’s part not to tell Meagan before you do something like this. But that’s just human relations,

 

[Tavi...]

We don't know the terms of their contract. We don't even know if it was yes let's do ice shows for 2020 and see from there.

You’re right we don’t know details, but Meagan did confirm a few specifics on her Instagram post and elsewhere regarding show commitments for this year. My point wasn’t really to analyze the situation in detail; just to say that the fact there’s a pandemic on wouldn’t necessarily get someone off the hook as to contracts.

ETA @ladyjane, contract in this context could mean an agreement- that is, mutual promises concerning a business arrangement - between two friends - and it could also mean a verbal commitment by one or both of them to an org like Stars on Ice.

 

[ladyjane]

ETA @ladyjane, contract in this context could mean an agreement- that is, mutual promises concerning a business arrangement - between two friends - and it could also mean a verbal commitment by one or both of them to an org like Stars on Ice.

You're right of course. I think we agree. I just don't like agreements between friends being seen as something legally binding because it could break friendships (and I have examples of those among my own friends). I think we agree that between real friends commitments like this would just be executed as such normally. And now they won't. That's worse between friends where there is exactly that verbal commitment and you don't write it down and sign...because you're friends.

 

[ladyjane]

well, since no one ever accused me of being afraid to say the same thing twice (or three times, or four times).

plus it’s a jerk (not to mention cowardly) move on Eric’s part not to tell Meagan before you do something like this. But that’s just human relations,

You can say it a 100 times, you would still be right. And I'm not even talking about the money. The jerk part is not even for discussion. How you cannot tell a friend about the move is just cowardly.

 

[Tavi...]

You're right of course. I think we agree. I just don't like agreements between friends being seen as something legally binding because it could break friendships (and I have examples of those among my own friends). I think we agree that between real friends commitments like this would just be executed as such normally. And now they won't. That's worse between friends where there is exactly that verbal commitment and you don't write it down and sign...because you're friends.

Agreed, but I think that as much as Eric and Meagan were friends, their skating partnership was also a business relationship. That can get complicated!

 

[ladyjane]

Agreed, but I think that as much as Eric and Meagan were friends, their skating partnership was also a business relationship. That can get complicated!

Very!

 

[ladyjane]

Also, it appears Brandon for example, consulted with Haven, talked to her, and arrived at an agreement. The responsible and mature thing to do.

As I recall, it wasn't only Brandon but Alexa too who consulted with Haven, just to be sure it was okay that she would be skating with her former partner. We all know how Chris felt about it. Very transparent, open and mature with all parties concerned.

Oh, and I do like the idea if Meagan doing SOI with Wojtek!

 

[chasingneverland]

Eric response:

 

[chasingneverland]

You can say it a 100 times, you would still be right. And I'm not even talking about the money. The jerk part is not even for discussion. How you cannot tell a friend about the move is just cowardly.

He's saying he DID tell Meagan as soon as Vanessa was released. He didn't think she would be released so soon or so easily.

It sounds like Meagan has known for at least 2.5 weeks. Was she hoping something different would happen? I still don't think we know the whole story.

 

[gsk8]

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figureskating/eric-radford-vanessa-james-return-1.5995937

"I didn't know that my partnership with Vanessa was going to move forward myself until two weeks ago. ... Meagan was the first person I called after receiving the email [that James was released by the French Federation] and on that phone call I got nothing but positive support from Meagan. She shared with me on that call that she was not coming back to competition and she wished me and Vanessa all the best," read Radford's response.

"Meagan has never expressed any desire to return to competition with me. She moved to a different city, started a family and a skating school with her husband. ... I don't believe Meagan would realistically have considered uprooting her life to return to competition."