James/Radford announce partnership

[BlissfulSynergy]

Yes, I've read the interview in IFS with Lubov which was heartbreaking

Is there a link to this article available?

This whole post is a great resource for taking this thread into a discussion of the qualities Vanessa and Eric will bring. I especially like the idea of exploring what they gained and learned from two years of skating with two different partners on Battle of the Blades. Tangentially, I really wish someone in USA would get a project like this going. Sandra does invite US and Russian figure skaters (and others?), but it's understandably a Canadian project. It's such a wonderful opportunity for figure skaters, and it works so well. Of course, attempts in the US haven't been successful, with good reason, they were terrible (IMHO). Maybe it's Sandra's genius that is the essential ingredient.

I thought I'd watched their skates, but I need to watch them again. I don't recall thinking much about Vanessa's costumes and how they differ from her fabulous bodysuits.

Yes, I'm sure Sandra's vision and input are very essential to the success of BOTB. The production values and costumes remind me of the U.S. show DWTS.

You can see the variety of Vanessa's costuming in the clips I posted. Vanessa has a lot of style on and off the ice, so she probably worked with the costume designer on the outfits she wore. None were bodysuits. So with Eric, it will be interesting to see if she continues with wearing a bodysuit for the fp and a skating dress or suit and top for the sp, like she tended to do previously.

I agree that Eric & Vanessa have a lot to work with in their exciting exploration as new partners.

 

[moonvine]

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.

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

My opinions of skaters as people does affect my opinion of them as athletes (and not just skaters, it does in all sports. My beloved Eagles had a quarterback who I believed in engaged in unforgivable behavior. I found no pleasure when they won with him at QB.) There is no such thing as “pure athletics” for me.

In the end, Vanessa and Eric are gonna do what they’re gonna do, but I for one at this point have little excitement about their journey. Maybe more facts will come out to change my mind.

But now there is my future husband Jalen at QB (if the coach has sense). He would not engage in bad behavior.

 

[moonvine]

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.

Huh? She and Randy skated together for decades.

 

[ladyjane]

https://www.ifsmagazine.com/new-era-unfolds-for-lubov-ilyushechkina/
Here's the link @BlissfulSynergy .

 

[Amei]

Huh? She and Randy skated together for decades.

My post said the gamble of relying on another person, Randy's injury forced them to WD when they were at the Olympics. Slightly different than someone in the partnership leaving but she didn't get that shot at the Olympics because of his injury

 

[el henry]

But now there is my future husband Jalen at QB (if the coach has sense). He would not engage in bad behavior.

And your future hubby will now have Devonta Smith as his WR. I could care less about Alabama as a football team (kind of like the ladies ), but if their players are good, I'm glad they are going to the Eagles.

(Completely diverting because with no new info, Meagan and Eric have been discussed to death.)

 

[skylark]

And your future hubby will now have Devonta Smith as his WR. I could care less about Alabama as a football team (kind of like the ladies ), but if their players are good, I'm glad they are going to the Eagles.

(Completely diverting because with no new info, Meagan and Eric have been discussed to death.)

True. But this thread is about Vanessa and Eric.

 

[Seven Sisters]

True. But this thread is about Vanessa and Eric.

I hesitate to give this thread new life but—will the new pair automatically become part of the National Team (because, former Team member returning with new partner), and will they be eligible for funding to support their training? What do the Canadians among us think?

 

[el henry]

True. But this thread is about Vanessa and Eric.

Well, the thread started with the announcement But now that the announcement has been done, and discussed, and if there is no more news about the announcement itself, onward.

and I say this honestly and with no snark, any poster is free to start a Vanessa & Eric Fan Fest, where they may praise and anticipate without fear of distraction

 

[4everchan]

I hesitate to give this thread new life but—will the new pair automatically become part of the National Team (because, former Team member returning with new partner), and will they be eligible for funding to support their training? What do the Canadians among us think?

i don't think we can know until it's announced... last year, only the podium winners at Nationals were on the team, instead of the top 5.

What will they do this year? Who knows.... usually, National team members are the ones who will be traveling to competitions.. and as a team made from returning elite skaters, I am pretty sure they will earn GP spots.... so that would make them part of the National team?????

It is not clear to me how it is working since last year change... and was that change because of covid (nobody other than keegan was doing GP) etc... we will find out in a couple months

 

[moonvine]

My post said the gamble of relying on another person, Randy's injury forced them to WD when they were at the Olympics. Slightly different than someone in the partnership leaving but she didn't get that shot at the Olympics because of his injury

Ok. I misunderstood. Thanks!

 

[moonvine]

And your future hubby will now have Devonta Smith as his WR. I could care less about Alabama as a football team (kind of like the ladies ), but if their players are good, I'm glad they are going to the Eagles.

(Completely diverting because with no new info, Meagan and Eric have been discussed to death.)

It’s going to be great!!!!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

My post said the gamble of relying on another person, Randy's injury forced them to WD when they were at the Olympics. Slightly different than someone in the partnership leaving but she didn't get that shot at the Olympics because of his injury

I remember this well. It's not the same though as partners splitting or causing disappointment for their other partner due to conflicting goals. Randy's injury was hugely traumatic for both of them. Plus, Tai & Randy have remained partners throughout the rest of their lives on the ice on tour and in shows, as well as being devoted friends with a lasting bond off-the-ice.

One thing about that life-changing injury Randy suffered is that it happened randomly during a practice prior to the Olympics. Perhaps it was also one of those overuse injuries that happened during an era in which there weren't as many advances in physical therapy and preventative approaches to training. In any case, the sad thing which hurt Tai the most was that she had no clue how bad Randy's injury was, because Mr. Nicks and others decided to keep the worst from her in order to 'protect' her. For sure, they meant well, but not knowing the full extent left Tai in the dark, which isn't a good place to be when all their dreams came crashing down. The other bad thing is that the medics apparently gave Randy too much of whatever substance they used to numb his pain. His muscles were so numb that he couldn't do anything on the ice properly. He could barely stand, let alone land any jumps. Ancient history, but the memory is still palpable.

https://www.ifsmagazine.com/new-era-unfolds-for-lubov-ilyushechkina/
Here's the link @BlissfulSynergy .

Thanks for the link. I truly feel for Luba because she seems to have such a deep passion for skating. That was such a tough experience she went through, feeling as if she was partnering with someone in Bilodeau who was on the same page in terms of goals, when he actually was uncertain about his choices, and careless in being up front with Luba from the beginning.

Partnerships are complicated, no matter what kind. Maybe there are steps to take at the start in order to be sure. For Luba, I suppose she didn't know Charlie that well, but believed him, as he was the one who approached her. And then their skating tryout went so well. So the complete turnabout, coupled with the pandemic, and then the fact that Luba had quit her job with Cirque and uprooted to another city is rather heartbreaking for her. I'm glad that she had her boyfriend to support her throughout all of this, now her fiance! I wish Luba continued healing and success in finding happiness and fulfillment in coaching, and in perhaps finding a way to skate again in some aspect, including shows. I suppose it would be very difficult for her to find a new competitive partner, unless maybe Danny O'Shea might be a good fit -- that's probably a stretch though since both would have a lot of trouble being released, which would scuttle prospects due to the time element involved in not being released for awhile. Not to mention the citizenship issue.

 

[solani]

Regarding those contracts - what if one partner doesn't want to sign? End of the partnership? What if one partner gets injured? Or what if one partner wants to care for a family member? A contract would need to cover all those things and more.

I've read all the posts in this thread and I still don't get why Meagan and Eric could not do shows together again in the future.
Imagine this episode with Vanessa ends with an injury in the upcoming months. The show managers would want Meagan, not Vanessa. And they would pay accordingly. There's really no need to burn bridges.

 

[anonymoose_au]

I've read all the posts in this thread and I still don't get why Meagan and Eric could not do shows together again in the future.

I think that would have been possible had Eric and/or TSL not broken the news the way they did. It's a matter of pride for Meagan now. Put yourself in her shoes, would you want to skate with someone who sees you as "the backup plan"? Someone who doesn't want to compete with you anymore? It would be humiliating and make her look like an extreme doormat. Like going back to your ex after they just told the whole world all your faults. Perhaps if Eric had told Meagan earlier (I don't buy that it was a good idea not to until Vanessa's release was assured, there's a name for people who do that...), maybe. Or if TSL had some common human decency. But alas.

 

[solani]

I think that would have been possible had Eric and/or TSL not broken the news the way they did. It's a matter of pride for Meagan now. Put yourself in her shoes, would you want to skate with someone who sees you as "the backup plan"? Someone who doesn't want to compete with you anymore? It would be humiliating and make her look like an extreme doormat. Like going back to your ex after they just told the whole world all your faults. Perhaps if Eric had told Meagan earlier (I don't buy that it was a good idea not to until Vanessa's release was assured, there's a name for people who do that...), maybe. Or if TSL had some common human decency. But alas.

Pride doesn't pay bills. Meagan seems to be a person who likes to be generous. And she's level headed.
I once lost my job because my employer thought that I was far too expensive (and slow ..) and outsourced what I did. I found myself a new, better paid position. And I left decently, with everything in order. Guess what? I'm earning extra now, because they need me as a consultant from time to time. Because I'm not willing to quit my new position. I would go back if I needed to. But I don't and this is the best solution for me monentary.

 

[Jacey91]

I am new to this forum and I only started to follow figure skating recently. When I saw the video about Vanessa and Eric coupling to compete I was really excited. I liked watching Vanessa's and Morgan's skating, I haven't really seen much of Eric and Meagan. Well, then I noticed that Meagan was upset about the whole thing and I watched Meagan's interview about it. So I was really surprised to hear that Eric wanted to skate with Aliona before? Is this common, you know, to search for new potential partners, even though you have a pair already? I would have been even more upset about him asking Aliona years ago than now partnering up with Vanessa. I feel like Eric should have been honest from the start with Meagan. Everyone would have understood, I am sure Meagan as well. And after saying all that, I think it's interesting to see Vanessa and Eric skating together.

 

[chasingneverland]

I think that would have been possible had Eric and/or TSL not broken the news the way they did. It's a matter of pride for Meagan now. Put yourself in her shoes, would you want to skate with someone who sees you as "the backup plan"? Someone who doesn't want to compete with you anymore? It would be humiliating and make her look like an extreme doormat. Like going back to your ex after they just told the whole world all your faults. Perhaps if Eric had told Meagan earlier (I don't buy that it was a good idea not to until Vanessa's release was assured, there's a name for people who do that...), maybe. Or if TSL had some common human decency. But alas.

I mean TSL kinda just speculated (based on gossip they had heard and Meagan's recent comments.) But because they have the platform they do, it blew up. (I think I read that Eric said he hadn't planned on announcing so early.)

That said, I don't like that TSL loves to gossip no matter who they hurt in the process.

 

[Jeanie19]

I am new to this forum and I only started to follow figure skating recently. When I saw the video about Vanessa and Eric coupling to compete I was really excited. I liked watching Vanessa's and Morgan's skating, I haven't really seen much of Eric and Meagan. Well, then I noticed that Meagan was upset about the whole thing and I watched Meagan's interview about it. So I was really surprised to hear that Eric wanted to skate with Aliona before? Is this common, you know, to search for new potential partners, even though you have a pair already? I would have been even more upset about him asking Aliona years ago than now partnering up with Vanessa. I feel like Eric should have been honest from the start with Meagan. Everyone would have understood, I am sure Meagan as well. And after saying all that, I think it's interesting to see Vanessa and Eric skating together.

Welcome to Golden Skate, post often.

 

[Seven Sisters]

I've read all the posts in this thread and I still don't get why Meagan and Eric could not do shows together again in the future.
Imagine this episode with Vanessa ends with an injury in the upcoming months. The show managers would want Meagan, not Vanessa. And they would pay accordingly. There's really no need to burn bridges.

I think the unspoken elephant-in-the-room is that if Eric makes a big splash with/goes to the Olympics with Vanessa, the partnership that will be more recent, and accordingly more in people’s minds for purposes of being a draw for future shows, will be Eric with Vanessa. Everybody loves a comeback story!

Not to say that Meagan could not pair up with some other talented skater now at liberty—say, Danny O’Shea—for shows or a return to competition, if that is what she wants to do.