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Bourne and Kraatz mean business
MINNEAPOLIS (CP) -- Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz aren't talking.They said enough during the Olympics.
Now, all they intend to do is skate.
Never mind the ice dance judging, which Bourne trashed in Nagano when Canada's champions were placed fourth.
"We've moved on from the Olympics knowing we skated well there and knowing how we dealt with that whole event," Bourne explained before informing the media she and Kraatz will button their lips when their event begins today and won't open them again until it is over Friday.
"We're starting worlds with fresh minds," said Kraatz, "We're very focussed and ready to skate.
"We don't want to get caught up in what happened but what is going to happen. We can't dwell on the past."
Bourne of Chatham, Ont., and Kraatz of Vancouver won world bronze medals in 1996 and '97 and should do at least as well this week since world and Olympic champions Pasha Grishuk and Evgeny Platov are staying away.
"After Olympics, we trained really hard knowing this would be our last event of the season," said Bourne. "Our main goal for worlds is to skate all year and to entertain the North American audience."
A block from the Target Centre rink, the stage show Riverdance is playing. It's the theme of the free dance being presented by Bourne and Kraatz this season. For their original dance Thursday, they'll use the Greased Lightning cut from the soundtrack to the 1970s movie Grease, which as just been re-released.
"The selection of our music was almost too perfect," said Bourne. "Riverdance is playing in Minneapolis and it's the 20th anniversary of Grease.
"We really picked the most exciting music of the year. Both our programs are at their pick. This is the last time we'll be showing them so we'll make the best of it."
While French skaters Gwendal Peizerat and Marina Anissina got the Olympic medal that Bourne and Kraatz coveted, the Canadians won't be left empty handed. Edmonton skating fans Bev Dunlop and Kathy Hayes have collected 12 ounces of donated gold and have had two medals forged for them.
A presentation ceremony is being arranged. The national team show in May in Newmarket, Ont., would be a logical occasion.