View Full Version : Bourne and Kraatz break up
jp1andOnly
10-21-2003, 08:04 AM
According to the Hamilton Spectator, B&K will finish skating together after their commitments end in mid Dec. The decision was Kraatz's. Though it was amicable, Bourne is shocked and people tried to change Kraatz's mind. Bourne said she wants the public to know its not a mutual decision. She wishes Kraatz all the happiness but she doesn't like the decision.
Here are some clips from the article
The greatest ice-dancing team in Canadian history is breaking up.
Reigning world champions Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz will honour touring commitments until mid-December, then will stop skating together. The couple turned pro after their emotional championship triumph in March, the first global title ever by ice dancers representing North America.
The Spec can only be viewed online by people who get the print version.
Livin on Ice
10-21-2003, 08:35 AM
i'd like to wish them both the very best of luck, in the future in whatever they do. They contributed a lot to the sport, and were fantastic to watch,. It's to bad that things like this happen. But i guess nothing really lasts forever.
good luck Bourne, and Kraatz
livin' on ice
manleywoman
10-21-2003, 09:30 AM
Actually, I'm surprisd that Kraatz is the one to break it off, considering he was the one who wanted to continue competing through 2003, and had to convince Bourne!
luna_skater
10-21-2003, 09:34 AM
:(
TRAxel
10-21-2003, 10:13 AM
:?? :( :cry:
Blade1
10-21-2003, 10:36 AM
:cry: :cry: :cry:
I am so disapointed with this news. Like I said in the other thread over on the Shows & Reviews Forum, I am really shocked and sad that it has come to this. When I first heard about it I just thought it was rumours being spread again about B&K. But after reading the article, it was just so sad.
Of course I wish B&K all the best in what ever they decide to do in the furture, just I am really going to miss this team.
So thankful I was able to see them at Gotta Skate this past weekend. I really wish now I was seeing them in London. Sounds like that will be their last show together.
icenut84
10-21-2003, 10:59 AM
:( :( I wonder if either of them will continue to skate professionally?
jcspkbfan
10-21-2003, 11:00 AM
The complete Hamilton Spectator article has now been posted at the Toronto Star website (as always, the URL is obsenely long, but at least you don't have to register in order to access this link):
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1066687810773&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064
Even though I'll very much miss seeing B&K skate as a couple, I'm intrigued by the possibility of Shae-Lynn as a singles skater. I'm not sure how strong her jumps are (although she used to skate pairs before teaming up with Victor), but judging from the solo work she's done in CSOI, she definitely has the charisma--and considering how desperately SOI (on both sides of the border) needs more female singles skaters right now, I imagine it wouldn't be too hard for them to consider taking Shae on her own. :)
So hopefully there'll be at least a little bit of good news from this sad story...and VGL, I think your sig line just took on a new, sadder meaning today. :cry:
Steffi
10-21-2003, 11:30 AM
Not that I mean to put a damper on anyone's hopes, but the highest level Shae ever competed at nationals in pairs was in novice (2nd in 1990, one spot ahead of Salé/Turner, as most people know, although I still find it funny :)).
Anyway, the hardest sbs jumps they would have competed back then would have been, what, double flips maybe? (Keep in mind that this was 1990 and not 2003.) Plus, I doubt Shae has spent much time practicing her jumps, so I can't really see her fitting the role of a singles skater in SOI. JMHO, though. :)
TRAxel
10-21-2003, 11:53 AM
Originally posted by Steffi
Not that I mean to put a damper on anyone's hopes, but the highest level Shae ever competed at nationals in pairs was in novice (2nd in 1990, one spot ahead of Salé/Turner, as most people know, although I still find it funny :)).
Anyway, the hardest sbs jumps they would have competed back then would have been, what, double flips maybe? (Keep in mind that this was 1990 and not 2003.) Plus, I doubt Shae has spent much time practicing her jumps, so I can't really see her fitting the role of a singles skater in SOI. JMHO, though. :)
What does that matter? Katerina doesn't do many 3's anymore, a few lady pros don't do their 3's anymore... and if she isn't competing and just in shows then who cares if she only does singles?? :D
I would think that after having had both her knees scoped, jumping would not be a priority for Shae-Lynn
So does "honouring their tour commitments" mean they'll still be in Celebration on Ice in Dec?
I bought tickets just to see them. :(
Well, Kurt and Brian, too, but I haven't seen them live in ages!
AnnieD
10-21-2003, 03:08 PM
I think it'd be interesting to see her skate solo dance. I know it sounds a bit crazy but there are actually solo dance championships over here, I don't know about North America. If a solo skater can make an interesting free skating program then I don't see why the same theory can't be applied to dance. It'd certainly be interesting, and as someone previously said, Shae without doubt has the charisma and personality to pull off a solo program, and I think that SOI could definitely use another solo lady, and I think it'd be an awful lot more interesting to see a solo dancer than see another free skater with perhaps only a double axel and a triple toe. She'd be great in group numbers too and I know if I could get to SOI having Shae on the roster would definitely encourage me to buy a ticket.
dawnk
10-21-2003, 03:42 PM
In an interview with Debi Wilkes during last years Worlds, Shae Lynn said after retirement from eligible skating she would skate the shows & "definitly wants to coach". I assume that would be with Morozov. What a coaching team they would make.
ceceB
10-21-2003, 04:04 PM
I just wanted to add that jumps aren't necessary in a show program, at least in my opinion. I find footwork WAY more thrilling and entertaining. :D
Jenny
10-21-2003, 04:28 PM
Originally posted by dawnk
In an interview with Debi Wilkes during last years Worlds, Shae Lynn said after retirement from eligible skating she would skate the shows & "definitly wants to coach". I assume that would be with Morozov. What a coaching team they would make.
Already happening - there have been numerous articles referencing her coaching work with Nicky in the past few months.
Jenny
Artemis
10-21-2003, 04:59 PM
Originally posted by jcspkbfan
The complete Hamilton Spectator article has now been posted at the Toronto Star website ...
That link wouldn't work for me. However, if you go to http://www.thestar.com, then select the "WayMoreSports" tab at the top, you'll see a link to the article.
There's also a longer article here (http://www.tsn.ca/figure_skating/news_story.asp?ID=57905&hubName=figure_skating) at the TSN site. The same article also appears at the Slam site. (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/FigureSkating/2003/10/21/232424-cp.html)
Artemis
10-21-2003, 05:02 PM
Originally posted by ceceB
I just wanted to add that jumps aren't necessary in a show program, at least in my opinion. I find footwork WAY more thrilling and entertaining. :D
ITA. I think there's great potential for some great show stuff from Shae.
evereg
10-21-2003, 05:34 PM
Actually, I can’t fault Victor for wanting to move on. Especially if there are not that many opportunities for pro-ice dancers, and if he wants to continue his education. I wish both of them all the best.
CanAmSk8ter
10-21-2003, 08:06 PM
We really don't have solo dance in North America, not like I know you do in the U.K. A lot of local competitions offer it, but the qualifying competitions don't. The most prestigious solo dance competition in the U.S. is probably the Lake Placid competition in August, which offers solo events for Novice thru Senior, but even then there's no actual Championship. There's usually between two and five groups at each level, depending on the number of entries, and each group has a winner.
About Shae and Vic, well, I'm still processing this. I'll have something coherent to say soon. I'm kind of in shock right now. I just watched them practicing last week- never would have guessed this was coming.
candace
10-21-2003, 08:32 PM
ok can I cry :( :( :( :( now. I would have never thought that this would happen. I wish them all the best of luck in what ever they do. Hopefully Victor will change his mind. Maybe, he just needs some time off of skate or something. This is a sad sad day.
sillyskates
10-21-2003, 08:47 PM
Originally posted by ceceB
I just wanted to add that jumps aren't necessary in a show program, at least in my opinion. I find footwork WAY more thrilling and entertaining. :D
Absolutely ... just think Kurt and "Nyah". Shae was mesmerizing as she taunted a skating Michael Buble as he sang "Fever" at Saturday night's Kurt's Gotta Skate!! When this show airs, (I forget right now when that is), be sure to catch it. Shae and Vic's rendition of "Sway" was breathtaking!! Best wishes to Vic as he transitions to something new, and I'm sure we have not seen the last of Shae, even without Vic, on ice!! :)
Skatingsarah
10-21-2003, 09:16 PM
Well this is still extremly sad but it did was bound to happen. I mean isnt Vic married or engaged..something like that.. He has a woman in his life and he's ready to move on. I went to a show and my coach and I were talking to him and he was talking about the lack of options for professionals. Really if you look out there there really isnt alot for them. Maybe hes ready to move on to the next phase of his life he talked even about going back to school when I spoke to him. So in a way its sad but there is no point in attacking a skater. I mean those too have been together for sooo many years since they were teenagers. If you look deeper into it you can only take so much of a person also. IMO...
-Sarah
TRAxel
10-21-2003, 09:37 PM
Originally posted by VGL
I would think that after having had both her knees scoped, jumping would not be a priority for Shae-Lynn
That too, good point VGL.
dancing_queen
10-21-2003, 10:13 PM
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
thats all i have to say, seeing shae on ice without victor wouldb like peanut butter without jam:cry:
FSWer
10-21-2003, 10:40 PM
Gee,I guess the name of the Thurs. chat will need changing. How about Partner skate talk?
Greek Chic
10-22-2003, 06:28 AM
I was completely shocked when I heard the news. I cannot believe that something like this happened. Wasn't it Kraatz that wanted to compete until 2003 and had to convince Bourne to stay? At least that is what I thought. I guess nothing really lasts forever. I am saddened and I wish them both the best of luck in their future endeavours. Bourne & Kraatz will always be in my heart as one of the best North American teams in history. They have accomplished so much together, that I thought they would be together. I guess nothing really does last forever.
jp1andOnly
10-22-2003, 07:58 AM
I think Kraatz liked the competitive nature of the sport. Perhaps show skating doesn't interest him. Maybe thats why he wanted to stay amateur because he knew he wouldn't stay with Shae if they went pro
Dreamer
10-22-2003, 10:16 AM
This is where the two personalities come into play. Victor's competitive, Shae loves the spotlight. As much as I love them and will miss them (dearly!!!) I'm glad they split now. It's like staying in a relationship that's lost it's love just solely for the benefit of the other person. Sure you're together, but there's no happiness or satisfaction anymore. I wish them both the best of luck, Canada's Dance Dynasty splits in two... :cry:
There will be a special B&K Blader Chat tonight (Wed) for those of you who need to comiserate. I'll be in the chat room around 8:30pm EST or so.
Artemis
10-22-2003, 05:55 PM
FYI, Shae and Vic will be on "The Inside Track" on CBC radio 1 this Sunday (the 26th). If you can't listen to the show live, you can listen online between Oct 27 and Nov 2 at http://www.cbc.ca/insidetrack/thisweek.html.
ceceB
10-22-2003, 07:08 PM
Thanks Artemis!
Well I'll miss them but you have to respect Victor Kraatz for knowing
when it was time for him to move on. I prefer that to these athletes who hang on and on to something that doesn't work for them anymore.
Good luck to them both.
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