Figure Skating Star Shae-Lynn Bourne Talks to Youngsters About Life On The Edge

When Shae-Lynn Bourne talks to young figure skaters about the secrets to success in the sport, she tells them to live on the edge.

No, she’s not talking about sky diving or bungee jumping. The three-time Canadian Olympian and 2003 world ice dance champion says young skaters today need to focus on really powering along on the edges of their skate blades.

“I try to make them understand how exhilarating it is to really be on their edges,” said Bourne, who is in Victoria this weekend as a special guest of the Juan de Fuca Skating Club. “I give them exercises that, while they wipe out all over the ice trying them, make them understand what is possible with their blades.”

And she speaks from experience. She and longtime partner Victor Kraatz were known for “hydroplaning on ice.” It’s when a skater glides on a deep edge with their body stretched in a very low position, practically horizontal to the ice.

“You see all these big jumps nowadays, but there’s so much more to skating than just the big jumps. And speed can be exciting.”

Bourne spent Saturday teaching a seminar for the Juan de Fuca club’s junior and senior skaters and Sunday afternoon she’ll perform two solos during the club’s annual ice show — Crossroads — at Bear Mountain Arena. All in all, it’s a perfect weekend for the 31-year-old who teamed up with Kraatz to win 10 Canadian ice dance titles, one world championship and narrowly miss the podium in two of their three Olympic appearances. Now, she gets to teach a little and perform a little.

“I love the coaching part. I mean, I know not every skater enjoys the teaching part, but I really do. I think it’s important to give back, and I have something to offer. I’ve been lucky enough to learn from so many different coaches and skaters that, while I’m not good at everything, there is certain information I can give back and hopefully it will help some of these kids.”

Bourne, whose hometown is Chatam, Ont., now lives and works in Hartford, Conn. She’s a fulltime coach in the U.S. system, but still finds time to perform in front of jam-packed arenas. Next month she begins the Champions On Ice tour in the U.S. She’ll headline along side other world-class skaters such as Sasha Cohen, Evgeni Plushenko, Irina Slutskaya and Kimmie Meissner.

“I love performing, but I also love seeing my skaters go out and perform, too,” said Bourne. “When I get the opportunity to perform, like this weekend, I take it because it’s a chance to be creative and provide some enjoyment for the people watching.”

Bourne is no stranger to Victoria. She was just here in November with Skate Canada, “and it was raining then, too,” she laughs. And the B.C. capital even has a special place in her heart.

“This is where Victor and I first competed internationally as seniors. It was at the old Memorial Arena and I thought it was the most beautiful place in the world when I first came here, and it still is.”

Bourne said she still keeps in touch with her former skating partner. Kraatz now lives and coaches in Vancouver and a trip out West was the perfect excuse for Bourne to pay a visit to the Kraatz household.

“I went and visited him (Friday) actually, before I came over here. He’s doing great and I got to see his adorable little boy Oliver, too, so it was a fun day.”

The sport of figure skating has really gone worldwide since the days of Canada and Russian dominating almost every event. Now, Bourne see skaters from the Japan, Korea and China also dominating on the world scene.

“Figure skating has gone so worldwide now, I mean, look at how Asia is dominating the world championships that are on right now. It just goes to show you that anyone who wants it bad enough, and works hard enough for it, can obtain their goals.

“But there also has to be a passion. And that’s what we start to see in young skaters that you will see in (Sunday’s) show. And where there’s passion, there’s usually enjoyment. And that’s what is most important of all.”

Sunday’s show is open to the public. It begins at 2 p.m. at the Bear Mountain arena and tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children.