VANCOUVER -- Victor Kraatz gave his old partner Shae-Lynn Bourne an affectionate nudge yesterday at the Canadian figure skating championships. After a time of stiffness between them, the 2003 world dance champions have reached a more peaceful friendship. But ironically, now that they have, they are competing against each other this week.

Kraatz is coaching Allie Hann-McCurdy of Nanaimo, B.C, and Michael Coreno of Toronto, who exceeded all expectations by finishing fourth at the Skate Canada Grand Prix in Quebec City last November. And in the other corner, Bourne is coaching 2007 Canadian bronze medalists Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont. Bourne and Kraatz - both honorary chairs of these national championships - have done many promotional events leading up to the competition.

"It's been a blast," Bourne said.

And competing against her partner this week? "It's awesome," she said, glowing. "It'll be fun to see him this week."

"We're on the opposite side of the boards," Kraatz added.

Bourne was a 10-time Canadian champion with Kraatz, with whom she also won four world bronze medals before finally breaking through to win a world gold in 2003. Bourne and Kraatz retired after their win, but their professional career didn't last long and Kraatz suddenly quit at the end of 2003, saying he would rather be a competitive skater than a show skater. Kraatz's decision hit Bourne hard. But don't count out these Canadian skating icons, especially with the Vancouver Winter Olympics looming. They've talked about making a comeback before the Games, not to compete, but to return something to the Canadian public who supported them through thick and thin. Just before the world championships last March, the couple got together to skate for about an hour in Vancouver, with few spectators.

"Some things never change," Bourne said. "It was bizarre, but it was great, just stroking together. We were just messing around, improvising, stroking and feeling the glide with one another. And we had that conversation, what can we do [in the future]?"

Their induction into the Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame last January also brought them closer together, as Kraatz took the microphone in front of a home crowd, then began to shed tears. The skaters embraced, to a crowd ovation. Tears were falling everywhere.

"It was wonderful," Bourne said. "I thought it was just really amazing to be inducted with Victor, but to actually see him and to share the stage with him, that was the most amazing moment when we were there together. It was really emotional.

"It brought back a lot of memories. It just felt right."