Evora accomplishes stunning professional debut, becomes first U.S. skater to win ‘Battle of the Blades’
by LOIS ELFMAN When Amanda Evora’s competitive skat-
ing career ended, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue skating. She tried out with Rockne Brubaker, but when the two didn’t team up, she seamlessly eased into coaching as well as a second job in an office as a personal assistant. She also graduated from college and took up new activi- ties such as cycling, running and yoga. Ten, a few months ago, Sandra Bezic called and asked if Evora, a three-time U.S. se- nior medalist, World and Olympic competitor, would consider joining the cast of “Battle of the Blades,” a Canadian TV show that matches up figure skaters with hockey players. After careful consideration, Evora said yes. On Nov. 17, she and 18-year NHL veteran Scott Tornton, 42, were crowned the champions of season four. Evora, who turned 29 on the night they
won the trophy, gives a lot of credit to choreog- rapher/coach Michael Seibert, who encouraged her to show off her performance skills. She never sloughed off his suggestions — taking them to heart and working on each detail. “I was a rookie on the show,” Evora said. “I
obviously haven’t skated with anybody other than Mark Ladwig within the last 10 years, so I was very nervous. Michael made sure I could be the best partner for Scott.” While the hockey players were learning to
skate in figure skates and perform, the figure skaters also had a learning curve. Even seasoned pros rarely have to learn new routines each week and perform them on live TV. “What’s interesting about this show, even when I was a competitor you always wanted to see your competitors do well, but even more sig- nificantly on this show, you’re around these peo-
ple for three months,” Evora said. “You become family. You’re going through the same things. It has more of a special bond to it.” Although Evora was no doubt Tornton’s tiniest teammate ever, she held her own in fierce- ness.
“I tell people I’m the only guy that knows
the real personality,” Tornton joked. “She cracked the whip and got me back to work [on some practice sessions].” During the show’s Olympic week, when each of the teams recreated an iconic Olympic program — Evora and Tornton’s being “Bolero” — they got to spend 90 minutes working with Ekaterina Gordeeva. “A dream came true that I thought I never would be able to do,” Evora said. “One of the highlights of the journey was being able to work with her. I’ll be honest, I cried that night. It was so special.”
While Evora had done little show skating,
she felt performing suited her personality. “It’s a time in my life where I’m able to play
that role,” she said. “Like anything, my attitude was to put in 110 percent. It may look like I’m naturally talented at performing, but I honestly look it as hard work.” She thanks coaches Jim Peterson and Lyn-
don Johnston, who trained her, and Ladwig, who consistently worked with her on the performance aspect of skating. “Even though I’m technically efficient, the
part I loved the most was entertaining people,” she said. Evora spoke to Peterson two or three times a week while she was in Toronto doing “Battle of the Blades.” Part of the conversation was about the students back home, but part was
Thornton said Evora kept the team on task and “cracked the whip” when she needed to.
Amanda Evora and NHL veteran Scott Thornton upped the techni- cal ante on “Battle of the Blades” with a flawless triple twist.
getting his input. What the future holds remains open for
Evora. “I’ve been very fortunate to have success on
this show — especially it being my first — and making a name for myself in that way, but I hon- estly haven’t thought anything further than this show,” she said. “My mind is back into the com- petitive side where I’m an assistant coach with Jim Peterson and Lyndon Johnston. We have quite a few teams that are on the national and international level. “Tey’re my primary objectives until the end of their season and then I’ll take it from there,” she added. She wasn’t kidding; two days after winning
the show she flew back to Florida and a day later headed to Eastern Sectionals. “If opportunities come, I’ll think about it
then.” SKATING 29
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BATTLE OF THE BLADES
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