News Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys Interview

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Twelve Years, One Partnership, and a New Beginning for Veillon and Brandys​

Twelve Years, One Partnership, and a New Beginning for Veillon and Brandys

Twelve Years, One Partnership, and a New Beginning for Veillon and Brandys After more than a decade skating together, Canadian ice dancers Layla Veillon

www.goldenskate.com

After spending more than a decade skating together, Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys are preparing to make the jump to the senior ranks.

In our latest interview, they discuss:

• Their 12-year partnership and how it began
• Training with Scott Moir and one of the world's strongest ice dance camps
• Lessons learned from their final junior season
• Their new Queen Rhythm Dance and Tron-themed Free Dance
• Their goals and mindset heading into their senior debut

Discussion Questions:

• How difficult is the transition from junior to senior ice dance today?
• What are your expectations for Veillon and Brandys during their first senior campaign?
• What do you think of their music choices?
• Do you think training alongside so many established senior teams in London, Ontario gives them an advantage?

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts!

 

[4everchan]

The transition depends in my opinion, on three things :
the ability for the skaters to improve in their weaker areas because at senior level, if there is a weakness, you're in big trouble.
the federation pushing you up by sending you to many international events. Judges need to see the skaters to appreciate them.
the judging : for some reasons I ignore, some junior teams going to seniors are very appreciated by the judges while others are not... it doesn't matter really if they were on the world podium or not, it's all about what judges do with that. This may sound a bit cynical but as a fan who is not an expert in ice dance, I sometimes am perplexed by how this team moving up is suddenly passing up very experienced teams and another junior team moving up, with about the same kind of credentials, is left behind for several years.

Expectations : they come in a year where only a couple of senior teams are still intact in Canada. It's a perfect opportunity for them to establish themselves within the Canadian ice dance ladder. I expect them to be very ready early on and make their moves. Will it be enough when everyone is getting ready by nationals ?

I trust they pick good music but I don't particularly know the pieces so.. hard to comment

Having good teammates to train with is often inspiring and I would say, it is an advantage. Having Scott Moir as a coach is definitely a plus. He seems to be doing very well with his teams.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

It's nice to hear more about Veillon/ Brandys and their long career together. I think a talented young team who have been together since childhood have a great advantage in knowing each other so well. Two legendary examples in ice dance are Davis/ White and Virtue/ Moir. Obviously, it doesn't work out that every young team manages to stay together. Those who do last, appear to have strong mutual goals, consistently improving communication skills, and the ability to get along well with each other through thick and thin. These key factors come through loud and clear in this feature on V/B. I was particularly struck by their ability to recognize the growth process they have gone through and the major milestones which encouraged them to continue elevating their aspirations.

Thanks for highlighting this team and their journey to date. I have been impressed with them in juniors, especially with how they have weathered and learned from setbacks in a remarkable field of talented junior ice dancers. V/B have held their own and they are surely stronger and better prepared to embark on a senior career, as a result of the challenges they overcame. The support and advice from Moir/ Hubbell is spot-on. Don't over-focus on placements, just concentrate on training, setting goals, and learning from every competitive experience, including all the ups-and-downs.

It was enlightening to learn that V/B were brought together as youngsters by one of Scott Moir's siblings, and that the Moir family are still involved in training and guiding V/B under the IAM umbrella in London, Ontario. As students there, V/B echo (as we've heard from others) what a stimulating, uplifting, supportive, and challenging environment they train under. From the experienced coaching staff to all of the exciting young teams who train at this IAM satellite. It sounds like a wonderful place to develop as an athlete and as a caring, responsible human who will one day move on to give back to the sport and/or contribute to doing good in other endeavors.

While reading this feature, I was reminded that the sporting life doesn't last forever. So, the best advice is to prepare diligently to give it your all when you have bountiful resources & opportunity. Furthermore, learn to embrace each moment fully, in order to be able one day to look back with thanks for every experience, along with an abundance of fond memories, and no regrets.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I sometimes am perplexed by how this team moving up is suddenly passing up very experienced teams and another junior team moving up, with about the same kind of credentials, is left behind for several years.

Could you explain more about other teams you are referencing? There has been such a shakeup and turnover in Canadian ice dance. The sport is never fair, as we regularly witness. For young athletes, having talent, luck, and support from the right quarters can determine overall success. But nothing is set in stone in this sport.

 

[4everchan]

Could you explain more about other teams you are referencing? There has been such a shakeup and turnover in Canadian ice dance. The sport is never fair, as we regularly witness. For young athletes, having talent, luck, and support from the right quarters can determine overall success. But nothing is set in stone in this sport.

I'd rather not. When we start talking about this, it derails the threads because fans of teams that are favoured will find all possible explanations to justify their rise. Sometimes, these explanations are objective, and sometimes they are opinions. So, yeah I'll skip on this. All I am wishing is for Layla and Alexander to not be held back, not just among Canadian teams but on the world scene. They are special and I hope that their "branding" will be appreciated by many, especially the judges LOL

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Okay, thanks @4everchan. No need for thread drift, you are right. I was just a little confused by that comment. I realize now that I misinterpreted what you were saying, due to the phrasing. I've got more clarity now! BTW, is French your native language?

 

[4everchan]

BTW, is French your native language?

Yes. I'm one of these special people