http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/Sports/2004/04/24/434276.html
Shae-Lynn born again as single
RYAN PYETTE, Free Press Sports Reporter 2004-04-24 03:11:55
Former ice dance diva Shae-Lynn Bourne is skating solo now -- but don't expect to see triple axels or an assortment of high-flying jumps any time soon. "I can do some jumps and spins, I started out as a singles skater and I wasn't in pairs until I was 15," the 28-year-old Chatham native said while promoting the HSBC Stars on Ice tour stop at the John Labatt Centre tomorrow.
"When I was putting together my first singles program, I wondered if I should put some jumps in. But everyone kept telling me, 'Shae, they're not coming to see you jump.' "
They will be coming to see how Bourne navigates the ice without longtime dance partner Victor Kraatz.
After the dynamic duo capped a memorable 12-year run with a long-coveted gold medal at last year's world championships, Kraatz announced he was retiring and wasn't interested in earning his living by hitting the pro skating tour circuit.
That announcement was a shocker to Bourne, who thought the two would at least stick together for much of 2004.
Instead, the two danced until December and wrapped up with a homecoming celebration tour, which included a heartfelt, final JLC stop Dec. 5.
In a strange twist, the two have not been in contact since Kraatz hung up his skates. They spent a dozen years together at the arena almost every day and then nothing.
"We haven't talked on the phone and he hasn't been around the rinks at all, so I haven't seen him," Bourne said. "I know he wanted to start a new career and, whatever that ends up being, I guess he didn't think he could do it unless he stayed away from skating completely."
If it's possible, Bourne has found herself on the ice more than before. She spent a few weeks hastily putting together her solo routine, including some midnight ice sessions -- "I'm skating to a Lara Fabian song, Caruso. It's very emotional, which I wanted . . . there's some spins and a lot of hydroblading (the gliding technique created by Uschi Keszler and perfected by Bourne and Kraatz). But no jumps."
In between touring and training, Bourne's a coach with Nikolai Morozov at her home base in Newington, Conn. She attended the recent world championships in Germany.
"But I'm just a part-time coach right now, being full-time is a big change, you can't live this tour lifestyle and do both," she said.
Bourne also wouldn't rule out another shot at the Olympics in dance or pairs. She and Kraatz finished fourth at Salt Lake City (2002) and Nagano, Japan (1998).
"I don't know, I'm just doing the tour right now, but if a new partner came along, it's hard to say," she said. "I'm really enjoying skating alone right now . . . It's fun and everyone's been so supportive."
The London show will be the final local appearance for Seaforth's Lloyd Eisler and longtime partner Isabelle Brasseur, who are wrapping up their impressive skating careers.
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