As is so often the case, it took only an instant for Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir to become icons.

At the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, with Virtue perched atop a gliding Moir with her leg stretched out and arms spread wide, the Goose carried the pair to gold; the image, splashed across television screens and sports pages, cemented Virtue and Moirs status as Canadas sweethearts. London native Virtue and Ildertons Moir burst onto the national scene in 2006 at the Junior World Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where they became the first Canadian ice dancers to win the title. Since then, theyve never strayed far from the podium, winning the Canadian national title in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012, the World Championships in 2010 and 2012, the Four Continents Championships in 2008 and 2012, and, in 2009, the pair received the first ever perfect 10 to be awarded in dance in international competition. Although the Goose has left their repertoire, three years removed from the Vancouver Olympics and home-soil gold, life remains much the same for Virtue and Moir. Its interesting because it hasnt really changed for us, says Virtue. Immediately after the games we went back to Canton, Michigan, our training base, and got back into that daily grind of training in our programs and we competed at the Worlds three weeks following the Games. Of course it was a bit of a whirlwind following that just because of media and appearances at events and things like that, but for the most part, now our lives are very similar in that were working with all the same people that we did before, our families and friends keep us very grounded. We still have to sort of isolate ourselves from the world because were still amateur athletes and were still competing, so maybe the one thing that did change was the responsibility that we have to be role models, and were maybe in the public eye a bit more so we take that seriously. We embrace that role and do the best we can to inspire young children, not just in figure skating but for all sports. Success hasnt come without setbacks for Virtue and Moir, however. The pair couldnt compete in much of the 2010-11 season as Virtue had surgery in October of 2010 to treat her chronic exertional compartment syndrome, her second such surgery. We came back to compete at the World Championships in 2011, says Virtue, but of course that season was a bit of a write-off. Its always tough dealing

with an injury and I wasnt completely healthy even following surgery, so it was really difficult. It was a tough few years there, but Im happy to say that Im healthy now and not taking it for granted. I really appreciate the fact that we can train and compete. While Virtue recovered, Moir had to find a way to stay sharp. I think it was a blessing in disguise, he says. Looking back, it gave me an opportunity to work on a lot of my weaknesses and my skating and to work on my strength off the ice. It wasnt that long that she was off I went at both of them very differently and I think I was a lot better the second time around. The first time I really tried to keep training and thought that I could train for the two of us, and when she got back I realized I didnt do much other than take the programs right out of my body. So I just tried to work on different things, try to keep in shape, be smart and try to keep my body sharp. The summer of 2012 saw some drama for Virtue and Moir as well, when their coaches Marina Zueva and Igor Shpilband parted ways. It was a really unfortunate situation, says Virtue. We had a fabulous eight years with the coaching team, and they were so dynamic together and great team, so the situation wasnt ideal, but we have to move forward and at this point, we have a great team in place now. Were working with Oleg Epstein, which is a new coach for us and we love him. He has such a passion for skating and he brings such energy. He actually makes me like skating even more. I think he really complements Marina, and we have Johnny Johns, our technical elements coach, and hes stayed consistent throughout all of this. Were looking forward and feeling good about how things are right now. Indeed, the 2012-13 season has been good to Virtue and Moir. Ever pushing themselves, they developed a new, headline-grabbing routine around the musical Carmen. Their squeaky-clean image is cast aside in favour of a more mature, risqu performance. While some fans criticized this sexy departure, the routine has received critical raves for its complexity and fresh take on a time-worn tale. Whats more, the routine brought them victory at the Canadian Championships in Mississauga in January. No matter the routine, the hometown crowd is eager for a chance to cheer on the reigning Olympic and World champions. Likewise, SPRING| FIVE25

VIRTUE & MOIR A HOMECOMING FOR NaTIONaL ICONS

Photography by: Skate Canada/Stephan Potopnyk.

By Ryan Ford 24FIVE | SPRING

Virtue and Moir look forward to the opportunity to skate in front of their hometown. Its extremely special, says Moir. Its going to be definitely a highlight of our career. Luckily, we always say we have the experience of a home game, so well see if we can handle the pressure of a hometown Worlds, but itll be unique. Itll be so much fun. Every time weve skated in (Budweiser Gardens) weve really enjoyed it. Its probably one of the loudest venues that weve ever skated in because everythings kind of on top of you and we really DATE SENT: Feb.12 , 2012 love that. Itll just be so much fun to welcome the world into our hometown and host people from around the world. From the sound of it already, I think theyre going to put on a great event, adds Virtue. London is a city of course we have some emotional ties to and were so proud to host the Worlds, and I cant wait to show our city off and I know it will be a great event. It sounds like everything theyre doing surrounding the competition with the tents outside and light shows right down to the flowers on Richmond Row, I think its going to be beautiful and were hoping for the best and we have confidence in what London will put forward. The one thing I find about Canada and especially about London is we have great skating fans and knowledgeable skating fans, so its the perfect place to hold the Worlds. Virtue and Moir may not head into the Worlds as odds-on favourites after a second-place finish to American training partners Charlie White and Meryl Davis at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finale in Sochi, Russia, in December of 2012, but even at their young age they are seasoned veterans, tough competitors and at ease in front of crowds. They may not be the most recognizable athletes, but they are among the most highly regarded and whatever the outcome, fans can be certain the pair will do their country and their hometown proud.

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