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]