Canadian Champs on Ice Trivia Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. His passions include dirt biking, martial arts, and singing but this figure skater was really King of the ice in the 1990s. He won seven National titles, three World titles and two Olympic silver medals. Who is this Canadian men's figure skating champion?

Answer: Elvis Stojko

Canadian figure skating icon Elvis Stojko became the first man to land a quadruple toe loop, double toe loop combination jump cleanly in competition. He is most remembered for his athleticism and jumping ability.

He was heavily favoured to win gold at the 1998 Olympics, but a bout with the flu and a serious groin injury forced him to downgrade his jumps. Not able to take painkillers because of drug-testing, he battled on to win silver. He limped off the ice after his final performance and, unable to skate any longer, accepted his medal on the podium in sneakers.

2. At the 1988 Winter Olympics, the world focussed on the "Battle of the Carmens" in women's figure skating. Favourites Katarina Witt and Debi Thomas were both skating to music from the opera Carmen. What three-time Canadian champion, an underdog at the Olympics, won the long program and took the silver medal?

Answer: Elizabeth Manley

Elizabeth Manley, only a few tenths of a point from winning gold, won the silver medal at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. In a career with many ups an downs, she was not considered in contention for a medal. She won another silver medal at the World Championships in 1988.

Manley's unexpected Olympic medal was celebrated across Canada, giving her instant celebrity status. She retired after the 1988 season and started a professional career with Ice Capades.

3. This couple's large height difference worked to their advantage with their inventive lifts and acrobatic style. They won five National Championships, one World Championship and two Olympic bronze medals in pairs figure skating. Who are these Canadian champions nicknamed "Fred" and "Herbie"?

Answer: Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler

Lloyd Eisler thought his competitive days were coming to an end when he paired up with his third partner, Isabelle Brasseur in 1987. He could not have been more wrong. This dynamic duo stayed together for 17 years and became famous for their daring moves, innovative lifts and entertaining programs.

One of their most famous exhibition programs was called "Patricia the Stripper" where the hulking Eisler was dressed as a woman, and the petite Brasseur was dressed as a man.

The pair co-wrote two books, "Brasseur & Eisler : To Catch a Dream" in 1996 and a follow-up called, "Brasseur & Eisler: The Professional Years" in 1999.

4. He was known as "Mr. Triple Axel" for his ability to land the jump when few skaters could. He won eight National titles, one World title and two Olympic silver medals. At the Calgary Olympics in 1988 his rivalry with American skater Brian Boitano was nicknamed "Battle of the Brians". Who is this Canadian men's figure skating champion?

Answer: Brian Orser

Brian Orser and Brian Boitano had completely opposite skating styles. Orser was light and quick on his feet while Boitano emphasized long, powerful edges. For the entire competitive season leading up to the 1988 Olympics, Orser was undefeated. However, at the Olympics Boitano beat him by one tenth of a point to win the gold medal. Orser turned professional after the 1988 season and toured with Stars on Ice.

He played Escamillo in a made for television movie called "Carmen on Ice" and won an Emmy for Outstanding Performance in Classical Music/Dance programming.
He coached Yu Na Kim to a gold medal win in Ladies figure skating at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.

5. This couple became the first North American ice dancers to win gold at the World Championships in 2003. They won an incredible ten National titles and introduced the technique of "hydroblading" in the sport of ice dancing. Who are these innovative Canadian ice dancers?

Answer: Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz

Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz formed a partnership in 1991 and in just two short years became Canadian ice dance champions, a feat they would repeat a total of 10 times. Their innovative style went against the grain of traditional ice dancing and gave them a reputation as rebels. It caused them to speak openly about unfair judging practices.

Bourne and Kraatz became famous for their use of hydroblading in their performances, a technique where the body lays low and almost parallel to the ice. Their most famous program was "Riverdance" with its fast and difficult footwork sequences. It was a hit with spectators, but less so with the conservative judging panel. The three-time Olympians placed fourth at both the Nagano and Salt Lake City Winter Games.

6. Taking a break from his chemical engineering studies paid off for this figure skater. He won the bronze medal in Men's Singles at the Turin Olympics in 2006, and later added a World Championship gold to his collection in 2008. Who is this three-time Canadian men's champion with the megawatt smile?

Answer: Jeffrey Buttle

Jeffrey Buttle won accolades for his artistry, musicality and difficult choreography. He was type of skater that flourished under the new judging point system that was implemented in 2004. At the Turin Olympics in 2006, he was sitting in 6th place after the short program and came from behind to snatch the bronze medal.

At the 2008 World Championships, not considered a threat in a deep field of competitors, Buttle skated a personal best and beat the heavily favoured skaters to win the title.

7. This figure skating couple were victims of a judging scandal in the pairs competition at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. Fortunately their silver medals were later upgraded to gold. Their lives also mirrored their "Love Story" program, and they got married in 2005. Who are these three-time Canadian, World, and Olympic champions?

Answer: Jamie Sale and David Pelletier

Pairs skaters Jamie Sal� and David Pelletier won gold medals at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002, but they had to share them with Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze of Russia. When it was discovered that the French judge received a bribe to change her vote in favour of the Russians, her vote was discarded. She and several other judges and officials were suspended.
As a result, the Canadian and Russian teams ended up with a tie.

The scandal spearheaded an overhaul of the judging system and a new point based system was implemented by the International Skating Union in 2004.

In a unique twist, Sale and Pelletier became good friends with Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze while on a professional skating tour with them.

Sale and Pelletier were married in December 2005, and later divorced in 2010. They have one son together.

8. He was the kid from Caroline, Alberta and the first figure skater to land a quadruple jump in competition. He won four Canadian National titles and four World Championship titles. Who is this Canadian men's figure skating champion, who also won three World Professional titles?

Answer: Kurt Browning

Kurt Browning was one of the most complete skaters of his time, greatly skilled in both his technical and artistic components. His charm and personality were evident in his programs. This highly decorated athlete has a long list of awards to his name. A couple of outstanding awards include the Lou Marsh Trophy for being Canada's top male athlete in 1990, and the Lionel Conacher award as Canada's male athlete of the year in both 1990 and 1991, the first time it had ever been awarded to a figure skater.

Browning, a three-time Olympian, was heavily favoured to win a medal at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. When he failed to make it to the podium, fans across Canada wanted to give him something they felt he still deserved. They donated their old gold that was melted down and made into a 1.35 kg medal and presented it to him.

9. This ice dance couple made history when they won gold at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. On home ice in their Olympic debut, they became the first North American team and the youngest couple ever to win Olympic gold. Who are these Canadian ice dance champions with a signature move called "The Goose"?

Answer: Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, paired together as children, ascended rapidly through the ranks in ice dancing. At only 20 and 22 years of age, they became the youngest couple ever to win an Olympic gold medal in ice dancing. Their undeniable chemistry, inventiveness and elegance draw comparisons to Great Britain's Torville and Dean. In recollecting the great Russian pairs figure skaters, their coach, Marina Zoueva, called them the "Gordeeva and Grinkov of ice dance".

In October of 2010, Virtue underwent surgery on her legs to alleviate exertional compartment syndrome, a source of chronic pain. Her recovery prevented them from competing for most of the 2010-11 season.

10. This figure skater won a bronze medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics in Ladies' Singles. Although her mother died at the games just days before her event, she went on to compete in her honour. Who is this six-time Canadian Champion that showed grace and determination in the wake of tragedy?

Answer: Joannie Rochette

Joannie Rochette had a close relationship with her mother and when she passed away during the Olympics Joannie was determined to continue competing in her honour. Her score in the short program was a personal best, putting her in third place, where she remained to win the bronze medal. Because of her inspiration and courage at Vancouver's Olympic games she received the Terry Fox Award, and was chosen as Canada's flag bearer at the closing ceremonies.

In December 2010 the Canadian Press voted her Athlete of the Year.

Source: Author Squisher

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Glide down memory lane for a look at some of Canada's greatest figure skaters.

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