Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir caught the World's attention in 2006 when they became the first Canadian Ice Dancers to win the Junior World Championships.  Since then, the pair have consistently placed among the top of the pack at International competitions, including a gold medal at the 2008 Four Continents Championship, and a silver at the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships.  Virtue and Moir are also three-time Canadian National Champions, winning in 2008, 2009, and 2010.  At 2009 Skate Canada, the pair received the first 10.0 awarded in dance in international competition.

Virtue is from London, Ontario, and is studying psychology at the University of Windsor.  Moir, was born in London, but was raised in Ilderton, Ontario.  The pair have skated together since 1997, and are known for their intricate footwork and innovative lifts.

This year, they have debuted a brand new signature lift called "The Goose"; in this daring lift, Virtue poses with her knee planted on Moir's back, arms spread, and transitions to a one-rotation jump off.

Ranked third in the World, Virtue and Moir represented one of Canada's best medal hopefuls entering the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. To the delight of fans across Canada, Virtue and Moir went on to win the first North American Olympic Gold Medal in Ice Dancing.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - Accomplishments

Q & A with Scott Moir

What is the most rewarding part of figure skating?
The most rewarding part of skating is when you leave the rink after a hard training day completely exhausted, and knowing that you gave it all you had to get you one step closer to your goals.

What’s your next career move? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
My next career move is to keep skating for as long as I am still passionate about it.  After that I wish I had a clue!

What are the top 5 songs on your iPod?
1.  Swan Dive Suicide - Hail the Villain
2. Twist My Arm - The Tragically Hip
3. We're Here for a Good Time - Trooper
4. Two People Fell in Love - Brad Paisley
5. Welcome 2 Detroit - Trick Trick & Eminem

What is your favourite meal to cook?
I love making pasta with lots of vegetables and whatever protein I feel like that day.

What is your favourite Stars on Ice memory?
Looking down the line of our first show and realizing that we are part of the tour with a fabulous Canadian cast in 2010.

What has been your favourite country to visit and why?
I love to travel and experience different cultures.  Each trip has new experiences and that excites me. 

Where is my favourite place? Where I am going next!

How do you spend when you aren’t on the road?
Relaxing at home with friends and family.  I get back to Ilderton as much as possible.

Most memorable career moment? 
Skating for a home crowd in Vancouver.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport other then figure skating, what would it be and why?
I would want to be a hockey player.  Still on the ice and I get to be aggressive.

If you hadn’t become a professional athlete, what do you think your current career would be?
I hope I would have enough courage to be a firefighter like my older brothers.

Who is your idol?
My idol is Steve Nash.  He is a great athlete, creative, and Canadian! What a combination.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?
The Queen of England.  Oh wait I already did that!

What was your favourite memory from the Vancouver Olympics (2010)? 
Personally it was when my brothers caught me in my "lambo leap".  They have been there every step of the way and to have them be the first people I saw after the medals it was perfect.

If you could be an animal for one day, what would it be and why?
I would definitely want to be a horse because they have so much power.

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
It would be sandwiches.  I live off those now so I think I could make it into a long term diet.

Q & A with Tessa Virtue

What is the most rewarding part of figure skating?

Finishing a long, tough day of training is extremely rewarding!  Oddly enough, there’s just no better feeling than pushing your body to its limit.

What’s your next career move? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I hope to have finished my undergraduate degree – and possibly have started law school! 

What are the top 5 songs on your ipod?

1.  What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
2.  Wheat Kings – The Tragically Hip
3.  Tiny Dancer – Elton John
4.  You Make My Dreams – Hall and Oates
5.  I’ll Be Around – The Spinners

What is your favourite meal to cook?

I can’t cook!!!  Seriously.  I struggle in the kitchen.

What is your favourite Stars on Ice memory?

Jeffrey Buttle and I have a “goodie” that we do before every show – basically a short compilation of dance moves and inside jokes.  It makes me laugh every time!

What has been your favourite country to visit and why?

I adore everything about France.  I love the culture, architecture, food and fashion – the décor in my house is even quite Parisian!  It is also particularly special to me because I have dear friends who live there. 

How do you spend your time when you aren’t on the road?

I am a student at the University of Windsor, so my studies occupy much of my time!  I recently took up golf, which is a great pastime when I’m not training.  We spend so much time away from home that it’s always a treat to visit with family.  

Most memorable career moment?

Standing on the podium at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.  Hearing the national anthem (sung by 11,000 fans at the Pacific Coliseum) and watching the Canadian flag rise is a memory that still gives me chills!

If you could compete in an Olympic sport other then figure skating, what would it be and why?

I’ve always loved watching pole vaulting – I think it would be interesting to try!  However, because of my gymnastics experience, I’d have to say I might have better luck in diving! 

If you hadn’t become a professional athlete, what do you think your current career would be?

If I were not a figure skater, I would have loved to pursue ballet at Canada’s National Ballet School.  That was my dream!

Who is your idol?

My mom, Kate. 

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?

Audrey Hepburn - she is the epitome of grace and elegance.

What was your favourite memory from the Vancouver Olympics (2010)? 

Spending time in the athlete’s village was my favourite part of the Vancouver Olympics.  It was so inspiring! 

If you could be an animal for one day, what would it be and why?

I would love to be my Ragdoll cat, Pas de Chat – he is huge and very spoiled!  His days seem way more relaxing than mine!

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

Chocolate.  Enough said!