Vanessa Crone has split up with Nikolaj Sorensen

[Sylvia]

Confirmed on Facebook today (credit to kppt for posting initially in the Pairs/Dance splits 2012 season thread in GSD and in the Paul/Islam thread in the Trash Can): http://www.facebook.com/cronevanessa

Vanessa new partner is Nikolaj Sorensen. Its official and they have just recently finished their first free dance and onto their short dance!! They will be competing at Lake Placid!!

Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships will be held July 25-28, 2012, in Lake Placid, New York.

They are coached by Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon in Montreal.

ETA link to the ISU bio of Katelyn Good/Nikolaj Sorensen (Denmark): http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00012142.htm
They placed 14th in the Preliminary Round at 2011 Worlds.

[blue_idealist]

Never heard of him, but glad she found a partner.

[kwanfan1818]

He competed for Denmark with Katelyn Good for two seasons (2009-2011); their last competition was at 2011 Worlds in Moscow. Good/Sorensen were coached by Dubreuil and Lauzon as well.

[cygnus]

This could be interesting, but I was hoping for Keith Gagnon.

[maatTheViking]

oh wow, that is quite interesting. Will they compete for Denmark or Canada?

[flowerpower]

This could be interesting, but I was hoping for Keith Gagnon.

Gagnon is a wonderful dancer. Stylistically different from Vanessa maybe, but I'd love to see him skating again.

Congrats to Vanessa and the best to her and her new partner!

[Stephanie]

oh wow, that is quite interesting. Will they compete for Denmark or Canada?

My guess is Canada, since I doubt SC would release her.

[Ziggy]

Wow, I really wasn't expecting that.

No offense to Sorensen, but that is a massive step down for Crone.

[kwanfan1818]

They both have time. Look at how far Weaver has come in just a few years, and I don't know if anyone had great hopes for Denkova when she first teamed with Staviyski.

ETA: As far as I can tell from a web search, Denmark does not allow dual citizenship. According to the Wikipedia article, Danish citizenship is lost as soon as a Dane gets voluntary citizenship from another country.

I'm not sure I'd give up an EU passport for a chance to skate at the Olympics, but then again, I'm not a world class athlete.

[maatTheViking]

I would assume Canada too, given Crone's past achievements (release wise). The Canadian Federation probably also have more money - but they will have a lot of tough competition in Canada.

Too bad, it seems like Denmark can't really get couples going in dance.

[kwanfan1818]

Is there a written policy for obtaining release from the Canadian Federation? Were Crone to compete for Denmark, they wouldn't have the Politik but they also wouldn't have the competition, which is now looking like Gilles/Poirier for the third spot.

[GarrAarghHrumph]

Never heard of him, but glad she found a partner.

I used to share a rink with him occasionally, and he's very nice. I hope this works out for them both.

[clarie]

I'm thrilled that she has found a partner. I'm glad her talents aren't wasted. I've always like her skating and she is a sweeti in person.

[Pratfall]

So pleased for Vanessa..It's been a rough go for her. I hope they can bring Nikolaj along quickly .

I'm really looking forward to seeing her on the ice again and I'm curious to see what strides she's made after a year in Detroit.

[blue_idealist]

He competed for Denmark with Katelyn Good for two seasons (2009-2011); their last competition was at 2011 Worlds in Moscow. Good/Sorensen were coached by Dubreuil and Lauzon as well.

Oh yeah, I vaguely remember Good/Sorensen now.

[DORISPULASKI]

Good luck to them! I'm glad Vanessa has finally found a partner

[Bournekraatzfan]

YAY! Thanks for the news, Sylvia! I am thrilled for Vanessa! She is so talented, and I can't wait to see her compete again. Best of luck to them!

[pat c]

Good, I wish them well. It'll be interesting see how everyone gels together.

[aftershocks]

Good luck to Vanessa and Nikolaj.

What a battle in Canadian ice dancing. Does anyone know the logistics of Nikolaj obtaining Canadian citizenship (or is that already accomplished or in the works)? If Vanessa wanted to train in Canada and compete for Denmark (since there would be less competition to make the World team for Denmark), are there too many drawbacks (i.e., not being released by Canadian Fed)?

Here are some youtube clips of Sorensen (a dark-haired Dane) with his former partner, Katelyn Good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdEwi2r1cSQ FD 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJjGe...eature=related Tango 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXYSM...eature=related SD Finlandia Trophy 2010

Vanessa with Paul in 2009 -- 4CC CD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2L2xNHhC8A

Vanessa & Paul 2011 FD Canadian Nationals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWnfk...feature=fvwrel

[maatTheViking]

Citizenship logistics can become tough, Denmark doesn't allow dual citizernship (unless you are born with it).

It is also quite hard to become a Danish citizen (stupid Xenophobic politics has too much power, yada yada), and next to impossible when you don't live there. Denmark has no precedence granting citizenship based on athletic abilities (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson_Kipketer who was competing for Denmark and was pretty certain to medal in 1996 Olympics had they sped up his application)