Kakani and I'Kaika Young?

[Casey]

Does anybody know if they're still competing?

I'Kaika left on Tuesday to head to the Nationals - I assumed he was competing but haven't seen his name anywhere so I guess not. I poked around on the internet and found an old archived thread from this forum where somebody said in 2002 that Kakani's career was probably over - is it true? What happened?

They won 1st in novice ice dance in 1999 and 8th in senior in 2002. Does anybody follow this pair and can let me know the whole story?

Cheers!

[A.H.Black]

This is very second hand. A friend talked to him on a bus in Portland. He is currently looking for a partner and is finding it harder than he expected.

From that statement, I make the assumption that they are no longer skating as a team.

[lotusland]

He listed himself on IcePartnerSearch.com several months ago. I haven't heard if he has had any success in finding a partner.

Is I'Kaika still in Seattle? He and his sister were Bernie Ford's students, Bernie relocated to the Toronto area quite a while ago, perhaps I'Kaika will have to consider moving to another better established training centre.

Good Luck to him in his search, hopefully he has a few leads from Nationals.

[Casey]

Is I'Kaika still in Seattle?
He is indeed. He works at the pro shop at OlympicView Arena (the best rink in all of the Seattle area, and home of the Seattle Skating Club), where he skates - this is how I know him. He also coaches some classes there, though I don't know the extent of them or much detail because we have only spoken 3 times.

I hope one day to train at that rink myself, but I have a LOT of learning to do first before I will feel qualified to. *sighs dreamily* Maybe in a couple more years...

[what?meworry?]

well! he has not posted a photo of himself, so i'm guessing he is of similar structure as i remember him when he competed with his sister only older and more muscular.
therefore, i will stick my neck out here and suggest that he consider, based on the photo and credentials of tanina portibois, also listed on icepartnersearch.com as a seriously potential partner.
she is of the right height, her video is reminiscent of his work, they are, if my memory serves me well, of similar skating attack.
granted, a french connection is a long-shot, but she, according to some of her posts, has a sister who lives in the states (new york if i remember her bio correctly).
better to skate with an international partner, eh? and be successful here, there, or anywhere, than not to have completed competitively at all? heck, the olympics sound cool but worlds are EVERY YEAR and life is short, live it well.

[Casey]

So what ever happened to Kakani? Was there an accident? Did she decide to just give up skating? Ever curious...

[Casey]

To answer my own question for anyone who's curious...

I talked to I'Kaika today, and he said that Kakani had dislocated her shoulder after an accident doing twizzles some time back, and after that she didn't skate as well again, and quit competing in the sport to focus on furthering her education, which was always important to her.

There's a girl from New York he's considering as a potential dance partner, and one of his current students may be a potential partner as well. It didn't sound like he had any intentions of leaving Seattle.

And that's enough gossip, I feel bad enough for this much violation of privacy... :??

Well, here's hoping that he finds a partner soon and they really excel in competition!

(oh, I found out the rink isn't as elitist as I thought it was, so maybe I'll skate there sooner than anticipated. It is expensive though, and requires a monthly membership...but...well...not yet ;) )

[tidbit]

Casey I believe I know who you are.. How are the new skates breakin in?.. I am still currently breaking in mine.. not to mention the 3 diff pairs of blades... (long story)

Um.. This thread was passed to me via another skater at my rink. And I felt it would be good for a little update (if anyone remembers who I am). Kani is and always will be a crazy mad genius. She in currently studying down in Pasadena (CalTech) for a Masters/pHD in Aerospace Engineering (6yr course). Although she has always been dwelled in the inner workings on thermodynamics she has and always choose skating first.

Back in 2001 when we were training for the JGP (before 911) Kani dislocated her shoulder in the middle of a twizzle sequence. Since then it was a PT battle till the summer of 2003 when she dislocated it again when we were back in fill training mode. Surgery followed and it was never the same.

Aside from school (which is almost done.. YAY).. I am currently in Seattle. Where I end up for training is still to be determined. I don’t count my eggs until they are hatched.. I have been looking for a partner for sometime now (6 months).. and for whatever reason have found it quite a harder task than I had initially planned. Wither it be that I have an odd personality or that I have only had one partner for 13+ years. Even though the search has gone longer than my coach (Sharon Baker) and I wanted too... I have used that time to further my skating ability.. Something slightly hard to do when going full bore on the US Int. Team for as many years as I did. My trip to Nationals this year has proved to be a good investment.. as I have a few tryouts lined up for the next few weeks..

Anyways.. thanks for your inquires.. it's great to see that some ppl remember the ole days.. =)

[AshBugg44]

I'Kaika was at my rink for a dance seminar this past weekend. My friend was talking to him and he said that he is looking for a partner.

[icedancer2]

I was at that seminar, and it was GREAT -- got to dance a little with I'Kaika -- it was WONDERFUL!!!

I also hear that he is looking for a partner and teaching a little bit up in Seattle.