In Love!

There has been so much other news I almost forgot to to report!

This past week, Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon were married in Montréal! They were joined by their families and many skaters including Brian Orser, Jeff Buttle, David Pelletier, Jennifer Robinson, Joannie Rochette, Jessica Dube & Bryce Davison, Sasha Cohen and Michael Weiss. Talk about a star-studded wedding!

"This was obviously a day that Patrice and I have looked forward to, and it was very special to be able to share it with our friends and family in Montreal," said Marie-France. "We are very excited about this new chapter in our lives together, and very much appreciate all the well wishes we have received from everyone."

How wonderful! How do you say in French...Je te souhaite un mariage merveilleux et un futur très heureux!

Pic of the Week

In my estimation they are one of the greatest Ice Dance teams of all time and I must say I'm sorry to see them go from competitive skating.

Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon have been consistent performers since forever. They have always had the most inventive lifts and crowd pleasing programs. One of my favorite programs of all time (I'll try to find it on YouTube and post it here) is their "Dance With My Heart" Free Dance from the 2003 World Championships. I remember being in the audience and being able to hear a pin drop in the arena. The music, which had been written especially for them, was haunting and beautiful and all of us at the MCI Center were captivated (I hold the 2003 World Championships as the best skating event I ever attended).

And I hold their 2006 "Somewhere in Time" Free Dance as one of the greatest Ice Dance programs ever. We were robbed of it at the 2006 Olympics after they took a nasty spill in the OD and had to withdraw but came back brilliantly to win the Silver Medal (almost won Gold!) at the 2006 World Championships at home in Calgary. I just get chills thinking about it. A piece of me wanted them to be greedy and go for gold in 2010 in Vancouver (also at home).

Well they are soon to wed (Patrice proposed during the Stars on Ice tour) and will continue as professionals and I just wish them the very best. Marie-France and Patrice are truly two of my favorites!

Turning the Page

Skate Canada is today reporting the retirement from competitive skating of Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.

Marie-France and Patrice are 5 time Canadian Champs and have twice been the World Silver Medalists in 2006 and 2007. Dubreuil and Lauzon made headlines after a horrific fall in the Original Dance that led to their withdrawal from the 2006 Olympic Games.

“While it is always a difficult decision for skaters to turn the page on their competitive careers, Patrice and I are proud that we can do so confidently and with no regrets,” said Dubreuil. “We have so much to look forward to together, both on the ice and off, and we are anxious to move on to all that the future has in store for us.” The couple, who is planning to marry in August, will focus on their professional skating career. The couple just wrapped up a successful season with Star on Ice.

Marie-France and Patrice took this year off to evaluate their competitive prospects and decide if they would attempt another Olympic Games in 2010...in their home country of Canada at Vancouver. Advances from Canada's other top Dance Team Virtue and Moir (who won a Silver Medal of their own at the recent World Championships) may have helped their decision along.

They've been one of my favorite teams since forever and I'm sad to see them leave competitive skating but I wish them all the best in there future endeavours.