While the spotlight glows pretty brightly on Johnny Weir’s book this week, I thought I’d take this opportunity to talk a little about another skating-related book that was recently released…
Tessa and Scott: Our Journey from Childhood Dream to Gold sounds like a pretty self-explanatory title for a pretty straightforward tale of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, and in fact it is: boy pairs up with girl at a relatively early age as an ice dance team… boy and girl really click on the ice and demonstrate that “it” factor at one competition after another… boy and girl face some of the struggles that come along with the ride (leaving home to train, school challenges, tough choices, Tessa etc.)… boy and girl become best friends (but not love interests—as the book states several times)… boy and girl progress rapidly through the ranks and become the youngest ice dance team to ever—not to mention first North Americans-- to win the Olympic Gold Medal (in Vancouver last February).
But precious few ever get to claim such a tale as their very own, and that’s what makes Virtue and Moir’s story unique. Boasting plentiful color photos of the twosome—many from their families’ own collections—Tessa and Scott reads like the perfect road map for anyone remotely interested in knowing Just What It Takes for an ice dance team to make it to the top. What it might lack in intrigue or fascination (which isn’t their fault of course; their story simply is what it is) it makes up for with a light, easygoing style. I’d credit that to co-author Steve Milton; he’s the one to whom Virtue and Moir (and all other sources for the book) relayed their story, consequently, he’s the one responsible for creating a successful narrative flow.
It’s a hardcover book, and at 191 pages it’s a quick read, especially with all the photos in between. Tessa and Scott is sure to be appreciated by skating fans worldwide, but I imagine it will cause Canadian readers to rejoice most of all. Anyone else out there read it already? Please share your thoughts if you have!
If you haven’t, you can order a copy here.
And for the Clip of the Day I’ve got V&M’s performance from All That Skate L.A. this past fall.
Tessa and Scott: Our Journey from Childhood Dream to Gold sounds like a pretty self-explanatory title for a pretty straightforward tale of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, and in fact it is: boy pairs up with girl at a relatively early age as an ice dance team… boy and girl really click on the ice and demonstrate that “it” factor at one competition after another… boy and girl face some of the struggles that come along with the ride (leaving home to train, school challenges, tough choices, Tessa etc.)… boy and girl become best friends (but not love interests—as the book states several times)… boy and girl progress rapidly through the ranks and become the youngest ice dance team to ever—not to mention first North Americans-- to win the Olympic Gold Medal (in Vancouver last February).
But precious few ever get to claim such a tale as their very own, and that’s what makes Virtue and Moir’s story unique. Boasting plentiful color photos of the twosome—many from their families’ own collections—Tessa and Scott reads like the perfect road map for anyone remotely interested in knowing Just What It Takes for an ice dance team to make it to the top. What it might lack in intrigue or fascination (which isn’t their fault of course; their story simply is what it is) it makes up for with a light, easygoing style. I’d credit that to co-author Steve Milton; he’s the one to whom Virtue and Moir (and all other sources for the book) relayed their story, consequently, he’s the one responsible for creating a successful narrative flow.
It’s a hardcover book, and at 191 pages it’s a quick read, especially with all the photos in between. Tessa and Scott is sure to be appreciated by skating fans worldwide, but I imagine it will cause Canadian readers to rejoice most of all. Anyone else out there read it already? Please share your thoughts if you have!
If you haven’t, you can order a copy here.
And for the Clip of the Day I’ve got V&M’s performance from All That Skate L.A. this past fall.
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