Emanuel going for the gold
By Magdalena Osborne
Photos © EMJO, Joy,
Mireille, Lisa
Prenty, Titia Tolsma
Canada's Emanuel Sandhu is without a doubt one of the most colorful people in skating. He's been at it for years and his talent is never questioned. His holding together at competitions is. On a good day he can beat Plushenko but on a bad day the jumps are gone. So far he's had a busy season. He competed in the Campbell's classic and then went on to win both Skate Canada and Cup of China. Unfortunately the Grand prix final didn't work out quite as well and he had to settle for 5th place. He was second after Jeff Buttle in the Canadian Nationals in January. |
But besides competing he's also performed in some shows and
last fall he was asked to skate in the Stars on Ice shows in Antwerp,
an invitation he happily accepted.
“I had never skated in Belgium before so it was something
new and interesting. I skated two show programs. The first one was
an improvisation I call “A study in skating”. It's
basic skating, there are no jumps in it. The second program was
choreographed by Jocelyn Peden who dances with Janet Jackson. She did my
other hip hop program (Justin Timberlake) together with my coach
Joanne McLeod.”
"A study in skating" |
"Gopher/Let's Go" |
You've been with Joanne for a long time.
“Ever since I stared skating, we've gone through
a lot together. I know some skaters change coaches a lot but I don't
agree with that, it wouldn't work for me. Sticking together
is not always easy either, but it's the best for me and I
think she is the best technical coach as well as choreographer and
mentor.”
Why is that?
“We both have dance background so we work really well
together, also on the choreography. But this year we brought in
another choreographer too, Mark Pillay, cause we wanted something
different. He's studied dance and he was also a skater so
all of us have dance background.”
Meeting with Emanuel was a real adventure. At competitions he's flamboyant and showy and there are endless discussions on message boards about his unusual and outrageous costumes. He's been called a diva but also a charmer and I wondered if he knew what people were saying about him.
I carefully brought it up not knowing how he'd
react, but after only a second I realized he's very
aware. Not much gets passed him and he loves the attention.
His whole face glowed when talking about it and he was all
smiles. |
And every year it as exciting to see what costumes you'll
come up with!
“Yeah, I know! This season I brought back an older short
program from a couple of seasons ago, the tango, but the costume
for the free program is new and I'm really happy with it.
It has good colors for TV, ha ha!
Name someone who has influenced your skating!
“You know, I always have trouble answering this because
I can't pick just one. But Midori Ito. I know she was more
of a technician than an artist, but I always admired her. She was
a great, powerful jumper, and as a kid that's all I saw. And
she was the first woman with a triple Axel, so it was like wow!
Then of course there are people like Brian Orser, Kurt Browning,
Toller Cranston and John Curry. And even Michelle Kwan who's
still competing, I admire her drive. I look at these people and
the qualities it takes to become a real champion.”
Canadian
Nationals 2006 |
Although he's been skating for 18 years, the Torino Olympics
will be his first. Circumstances didn't allow him to compete
in Nagano. He did go to Salt Lake City but got injured on the day
of the men's short program and had to leave to have surgery.
But he won't miss Torino and since he's half Italian
it'll be extra exciting to go to Italy, and he does well with
the language.
How do you think you'll do in the competition?
“I'm definitely going for a medal, the gold of course!”
If you stay on your feet and land your jumps you probably will…
“Yeah, yeah, I know… as long as I'm prepared
and feel ready in my training, that's what it comes down to.”
And you have a mental coach now?
“Yes, it's someone I worked with in the past and
whom I brought back. It's an important year so I'll
do everything I can to make sure I've covered all my bases.”
The Olympics is serious stuff, not like doing shows where you can
relax.
“I'm a true born performer and that's what
most people see. Whether it's a show or a competition, every
performer goes out there feeling something.”
How do you feel when you're out there competing or performing
and people are cheering and waving banners?“I saw a lot
of banners at Cup of China and it's nice to see things like
that! I have a message to my fans: I love you guys! You're
great and I really, really appreciate you! I want to thank you for
all the support you've given me and I hope I make you happy
when I skate! My official site www.EmanuelSandhu.com is almost ready to launch! It's absolutely unbelievably fabulous! I'm very proud of it and of
course it shall evolve over time like myself!”
Training
and with fans, in Antwerp |
Will you stay eligible after the Olympics?
“A lot of people ask me that, but I don't know.
I guess I have to cross that bridge when I get there. But I am planning
on going to Worlds. It's in Calgary so I don't think
I have much choice, ha ha. People would never forgive me if I don't
go.”
Like most other skaters Emanuel has opinions about the Code of
Points. Being such an artistic skater with wonderful spins he's
experienced some of the advantages of high component scores, as
well as the high points paid for landing difficult jumps like a
quad. But missing elements in the short program can be devastating.
“The Code of Points works in terms of… if I skunk
the short program I can come back in the long and that's great,
it's a good change! But the system is in its infancy and there are some details that need to be worked out, like I don't think the quads
are worth enough points and should be given more credit.
But overall I like
the way things are going.”
Did the latest level changes have much influence on your programs?
“Yes, we changed my spins so they're all level 4 now, that's the credit I'm
getting for them so it's good. I've come up with a few new spins as well.
There was the Sandhu one before, everybody knows what that is."
The butt spin…
“No, no, it can't be called a butt spin anymore, it's the Sandhu spin! You
wouldn't call the Biellmann spin a back spin, right? Anyway, there's that
one and a couple of others, they are called "the pretzel" and "the dead
man". And some amazing field moves in the long program. This year it's all
about innovation and artistry which I've always been known for.”
It's easy to talk to Emanuel. He answers everything and doesn't
mind sharing things that are a bit more personal, like his off ice
interests.
“I like to read; I love Harry Potter and have read all
the books. I read a lot of fiction, my favourite author is Vancouver-based Douglas Coupland who is an internationally exhibited artist. I also take voice lessons. I'm going to become a singer after this, or that's my plan. And I dance a lot.
Last summer I did a musical theatre work shop, it
was something new. I keep myself quite busy and of course I like
to hang out with my friend as well, and do things to improve my
life. I have my hand in a lot of pots right now, but the main one
is the skating pot.”
Do you enjoy traveling? |
What kind of music do you like?
“I love pop, classical, jazz, R&B and hip hop and
some rap. As long as it sounds good to me!”
Do you play any instruments?
“I used to take piano and guitar lessons, but not anymore.
Maybe I'll go back to it some day, but right now I really
don't have the time.”
Choose one:
Cat or dog (I can't choose,
both!)
Pink or purple (Man, this is harder
than the questions! I'll have to go with both again!)
Opera and ballet (Ballet, cause that's what
I studied. But I saw Cecilia Bartoli when she came to Vancouver
and she was amazing, absolutely brilliant.)
Tango or hip hop (Both again.
I find enjoyment in both, I mean my short program is a tango but
I have a hip hop show program. This is too hard…)
Party or sleep (Hm, sleep. Maybe in days past it
would have been party, but usually I'd rather sleep. After
the Olympics it'll be party, but now I have to be disciplined
so it's sleep.)
Who will win in Torino?
“I don't want to say, just wish everybody the best.”
We wish you the best, Emanuel! The skating world is a whole lot more interesting because of you!