 |
 Skate Canada |
Date of Birth: 04/07/71 |
Place of Birth: Berlin, Germany |
Residence: Newington, CT |
Height: 5'11" |
Weight: 162 lbs |
Years on National Team: 11 |
Victor Kraatz is confident a new program can put he and his ice dance partner
Shae-Lynn Bourne on the podium at the 2002 Olympics. The
new free dance is an upbeat and thrilling routine set to the music of Michael Jackson. Kraatz said the International Skating Union requested
upbeat numbers.
"Everybody loves it," said Kraatz, who went with Bourne to a Michael Jackson concert in New York this past summer. "That's a bonus for us. It's
more difficult than anything we've done. Everybody knows how much Michael Jackson moves on stage and it's difficult to create that image on
ice."
The new original dance is a wacky number set to tango music from the Broadway show Chicago.
One of the few couples to remain together for more than 10 years, Kraatz says he and Bourne haven't lost any motivation.
"The approach hasn't really changed," he said. "We're just as determined, just as hard working."
Bourne and Kraatz are determined to become the second Canadian couple to win an Olympic medal in ice dancing. Tracy Wilson and the late
Rob McCall earned bronze at the 1988 Calgary Games.
What Canada Did
Feb. 20 - Women's 3,000-metre relay: Isabelle Charest, Montreal; Marie-Eve Drolet, Laterriere, Amelie Goulet-Nadon, Lasalle, Que., and Alanna Kraus, Abbotsford, won bronze medal.
Feb. 18: Shae-Lynn Bourne, Chatham, Ont., and Victor Krantz, Vancouver, finished fourth after free dance in a final field of 24
Feb. 17: Shae-Lynn Bourne, Chatham, Ont., and Victor Krantz, Vancouver, were fourth after original dance in a field of 24
Feb. 15: Shae-Lynn Bourne, Chatham, Ont., and Victor Krantz, Vancouver, were fourth of 24 couples after two compulsory dances
Victor Kraatz Pictures
Bourne and Kraatz lay on the ice after falling
Bourne and Kraatz react in the kiss and cry area
Bourne kisses her partner Kraatz
Kraatz drops his partner in the closing seconds
Kraatz loses his grip on on Bourne
Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz compete
Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz perform
Bourne and Kraatz skate to 4th place ordinals
Bourne and Kraatz smile as they skate
Bourne and Kraatz kick out a leg
Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz practice
More Victor Kraatz Stories
Bourne, Kraatz not worrying about judging at Olympics
Bourne, Kraatz wow judges, grab gold
Grand finale for Bourne, Kraatz
Judges finally fair to Kraatz, Bourne
Italians looking up at Bourne, Kraatz
Kraatz and Bourne have golden dreams
2002 Games Figure Skating Coverage
