Performance of the Year
Victor-Johannes Kraatz was
born in Berlin, 1971, and came to Canada with his grandparents, mother,
and sister as landed immigrants, 1986. Victor shares much of his fame on
the world stage with Canadian-born Shae Lynn Bourne, with whom he has paired
at Canadian and international competitions since 1991, the year they burst
on the figure skating scene as a very up-beat ice-dancing duo. Four times
they have been World Bronze medalists (1996,’97.’98, and ’99), and from
1993 through 1999 were celebrated paired Canadian Champions. Although he
trains full time at Stamford, Connecticut, Vancouver, British Columbia,
remains his hometown. In this view, Victor Kraatz with partner Shae Lynn
Bourne perform their sensational Riverdance routine which brought them
honoured international recognition. This same routine was voted Performance
of the Year, 1998, by the People’s Choice Awards. [Photo, courtesy IMG]