Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sørensen are released by Denmark to represent Canada

[Erin]

Hopefully, he will become a Canadian Citizen before 2021-22, considering the history with skaters who have just acquired citizenship making the Canadian Olympic Team.

I know, I have been thinking the same thing!

Given how long he has been in Canada, he may already be a permanent resident, in which case, I think he could be eligible for citizenship much sooner than some of his predecessors.

 

[Tesla]

I'm sad for Denmark but I am happy for the skaters if they are happy. ?

 

[Hanna]

So would a ring sometime soon make the citizenship more likely and therefore end the nailbiting?

I’m sad I never got to wave my Danish flag for them at a competition- I am guessing it will be a while before I see Danes again in any discipline making it to the GP

Of course you still can, that doesn't change!

 

[MacMadame]

If their dream is the Olympics, this is the only way they'll be able to do it. She was never going to be able to get Danish citizenship.

Can someone explain why? I'm not familiar with Danish citizenship rules.

 

[skatingguy]

Can someone explain why? I'm not familiar with Danish citizenship rules.

They have a residency requirement and since they train in Canada she would never meet that requirement.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Since he's in Montreal, he'd follow Quebec-specific rules. If he's not a PR already, and they live together in a conjugal relationship, she may be able to sponsor him for family unification now. If they get married, she certainly can. It's possible he could qualify for citizenship under normal timelines, without an exception for length of residency, which Weaver and Gilles needed. And I hope this means he won't be affected by the Ice Dance Curse of Canadian Naturalization.

 

[vesperholly]

I'm sad for Denmark but I am happy for the skaters if they are happy. ?

I'm not sad for Denmark at all, because they're the ones who wouldn't give citizenship to Laurence.

Happy they can represent Canada and hopefully they'll avoid the Canadian citizenship curse!!

 

[Sylvia]

This is a very in-depth interview with Laurence and Nikolaj that was published last year (original GSD thread I started has since been archived) in which he explains when and how he came to North America (Connecticut first with Mathew Gates) and eventually landed in Montreal: http://www.insideskating.net/2017/0...nikolaj-sorensen-were-in-it-for-the-long-haul

 

[skategal]

I know, I have been thinking the same thing!

Given how long he has been in Canada, he may already be a permanent resident, in which case, I think he could be eligible for citizenship much sooner than some of his predecessors.

Yes. I'd be really surprised if he isn't already a permanent resident.

It's worth becoming one for your healthcare coverage.

 

[shah]

It's going to be fierce at Canadian Nats next year: W/P (if they decide to continue), G/P, FB/S, S/F and probably L/L if they turn senior.

 

[Wyliefan]

Canadian dance is going to be a Hunger Games to rival Russian ladies!

 

[topaz]

I adore this team and this should immediately help them in their ranking. WeaPo have some real competition now. I feel for Gilles/Poirier. This team's skill and programs are outstanding.

 

[Twilight1]

When could they compete internationally again? 2019 4 CC's? (pending placement of course...)

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Wow! I'm sorry to see them stop competing for Denmark, because it's nice to see the smaller federations start to make a mark in skating. But selfishly, I will also be very happy to see them compete for Canada now.

My sentiments exactly. I get so excited when I see a country on the radar that isn't the top 5. sighhhh...

And even though I love the team aint no one better skate on the toes of my imaginary husband Poirier... He has my full attention!!!

 

[IloveFS]

I am very excited about this! I really like this ice dance team! However, I don't think they are guaranteed at top 3 placement at Canadian Nationals or representing Canada at the Olympics given the depth in Canada right now. And, who knows if VM might want one more Olympic games (doubtful, I know, but I don't think they have completely ruled it out yet).

 

[VarBar]

I would expect F-B/S to be more appreciated by the judges from now on than when they competed for Denmark. Good move. I've always liked this dance team.

 

[kwanfan1818]

One year from their last international competition is 20 January 2019. Four Continents 2019 is listed as February 4-10. TES minimums for championships have to be earned 21 days before championships begin.

i'm not sure if skaters get to carry over minimums earned while skating for another member: are FB/S the first intact team to switch members since minimums were required? Zlobina/Sitnikov moved from RUS to AZE, but they competed for RUS internationally last at 2008 Nebelhorn, and there weren't TES minimums until 2010-11.

The ISU could make an exception for them to compete earlier, if they need one: they did for Righini, who competed for RUS at Cup of Nice in Fall 2012 and was allowed to compete for ITA in Fall 2013, when the sit-out period for singles was longer than one year. He couldn't compete in Sochi, and I think he couldn't compete at 2014 Euros, but he was at 2014 Worlds.

 

[Vagabond]

I guess Denmark was just never going to grant her citizenship? Such a shame for them.

She was never going to be able to get Danish citizenship.

She could get Danish citizenship if she lived in Denmark long enough. They have chosen to live in Canada for understandable reasons, but Denmark can hardly be blamed for not extending citizenship to her by mere dint of her marriage to a citizen. Canada, for its part makes permanent residence in the country a requirement for citizenship, as do many other countries, including the U.S.

I do wish them well, and it would be great to see them represent Canada at the next Winter Olympics.

 

[MsZem]

She could get Danish citizenship if she lived in Denmark long enough. They have chosen to live in Canada for understandable reasons, but Denmark can hardly be blamed for not extending citizenship to her by mere dint of her marriage to a citizen. Canada, for its part makes permanent residence in the country a requirement for citizenship, as do many other countries, including the U.S.

Who would have trained them during a decade or so of living in Denmark, with no guarantee that this would culminate in citizenship for Laurence? There was never a viable alternative for her, and I imagine the Danish federation's quick action with this release is a reflection of this.

F-B/S made the right call for their career, and I think we all wish them well.

 

[Hanna]

I'm not sad for Denmark at all, because they're the ones who wouldn't give citizenship to Laurence.

It's not the federation's fault though but the laws of the country of Denmark.

 

[starrynight]

Canadian dance is going to be a Hunger Games to rival Russian ladies!

I'll be interested to see what happens.

There were always lots of good teams in Canada such as Paul/Islam, Orford/Hill, Paradis/Ouellette but all of them retired when Virtue/Moir made their comeback, presumably because their wasn't a lot of incentives to stay competing. I'm not sure of the details, but I have heard people say there aren't as many international opportunities for skaters outside the top 3 or 4. I remember at 2017 Nationals there were only 9 dance teams competing compared to the usual 15 or so.

So to have a hunger games, there needs to be plenty of teams who all have incentives to stay in and keep fighting.

 

[Jeschke]

Sorensen IG post
https://instagram.com/p/Bfy5GWmlDQ1/

 

[mag]

I'll be interested to see what happens.

There were always lots of good teams in Canada such as Paul/Islam, Orford/Hill, Paradis/Ouellette but all of them retired when Virtue/Moir made their comeback, presumably because their wasn't a lot of incentives to stay competing. I'm not sure of the details, but I have heard people say there aren't as many international opportunities for skaters outside the top 3 or 4. I remember at 2017 Nationals there were only 9 dance teams competing compared to the usual 15 or so.

So to have a hunger games, there needs to be plenty of teams who all have incentives to stay in and keep fighting.

Well hopefully SC has learned and will make opportunities available. There are lots of senior B’s and Challengers to go around, SC just has to actually assign people.

 

[pat c]

That's a nice little ray of sunshine to read after the olympics. I look forward to the upcoming season. Good luck to them.

 

[maatTheViking]

Who would have trained them during a decade or so of living in Denmark, with no guarantee that this would culminate in citizenship for Laurence? There was never a viable alternative for her, and I imagine the Danish federation's quick action with this release is a reflection of this.

F-B/S made the right call for their career, and I think we all wish them well.

Also, note that it’s not straightforward to get recidency in Denmark, even if they married.

 

[Habs]

She could get Danish citizenship if she lived in Denmark long enough. They have chosen to live in Canada for understandable reasons, but Denmark can hardly be blamed for not extending citizenship to her by mere dint of her marriage to a citizen.

I don't blame Denmark at all. Citizenship requirements are citizenship requirements, and they weren't going to meet them given their training situation.

I'm thrilled they'll have a chance to go after their Olympic dream. We're lucky to have them in Canada.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Most countries have exceptions for exceptional service or contribution to the country, even if the applicants haven't met the residency requirements, which are a minimum duration, not just "they live and train in [country]." Canada made these exceptions for Weaver and Gilles, who did not meet them in time for the Olympics.

 

[Bigbird]

Canadian dance is going to be a Hunger Games to rival Russian ladies!

Which will make them all the better!!

 

[starrynight]

Which will make them all the better!!

I think that's what everyone said when VM returned and all that happened was everyone retired

 

[Bigbird]

I think that's what everyone said when VM returned and all that happened was everyone retired

Let's not be so pessimistic. FB/S are not V/M. But they are a lovely team, not so?