Four-time Olympic figure skater Vanessa James has taken on an exciting athletic and artistic challenge as a professional skater on the British television series “Dancing on Ice” (DOI), which matches celebrities with professional skaters. Although James is best known for representing France and Canada in Olympic competition, she has British roots on her father’s side, and won the British women’s title in 2006.
She is partnering with two-time Olympic medalist in the long jump, Greg Rutherford, and they are headed to Sunday’s finale. Given Rutherford’s athleticism, James has worked with him on difficult pairs moves, some never before seen on DOI.
“I’m lucky, because I have an athlete partner who is very tall, very strong,” said James, the first Black professional skater on DOI. “It’s about getting him comfortable on the ice, learning how to turn, learning how to catch me and not freak out. It was a whole out of body experience at the beginning. Now that he’s feeling comfortable and confident on the ice, we’re just going for everything. He’s creative and very motivated.”
Rutherford learned quickly that James is a seasoned competitor. A bad fall on practice ice just prior to a performance left him rattled, but she assured him she was ready to go. She has had to adapt to DOI’s elaborate hair, makeup and costumes.
“[As a competitor] I wore sleek and streamlined costumes, and short hair slicked back,” said James, who has worn wigs for her DOI performances. “I’ve never had hair on my face, not being able to see sometimes during a lift.
“When I came to the show, I wasn’t sure if they’d have people that could do my hair and makeup,” she added. “A lot of shows, it’s an afterthought. Here, they have makeup artists that are experienced in doing ethnic skin and they have two fabulous hair stylists that know how to do my hair. They even have tights for me. It feels warm and welcoming.”
Although retired from competitive skating, something from James’s career remains unresolved. Skate Canada has recently filed an appeal of the International Skating Union’s decision regarding the figure skating team competition at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games where James and pairs partner Eric Radford competed but did not place. Although James has no expectations, she certainly would welcome adding Olympic medalist to her competitive history. Should Canada’s appeal prevail, James would be only the third Black figure skater to earn an Olympic medal, joining Debi Thomas (USA) and Robin Szolkowy (two-time medalist from Germany).