Oona & Gage Brown fans! Here's a cheer/support thread for them :)

[Wyliefan]

Operation do not uber is not going well.

You too, huh?

 

[Ena Grins]

They've definitely made improvements this year! I've always loved their depth of edge, knee bend, and unison; I feel like I see more power, better extensions, and stronger lifts. I hope they'll get an extra Senior B before Nationals.

 

[VarBar]

The Browns were awesome at both of their Grand Prix. In more than one respect, they were my favorite couple. I just wish they had better costumes.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

I hope they get some; preferably before Nationals. There should be sponsors or a go fund me specifically for costumes.

They are part time at IAM. I hope Maddy Chock may help!

 

[Wyliefan]

Back-to-back competitions are tough, I've always heard, so kudos to them for skating even better in the second one!

 

[aml78]

Does gage remind anyone else of Jean luc baker? Something about his size, carriage and demeanor on the ice just screams JL to me.

 

[firstflight]

Back-to-back competitions are tough, I've always heard, so kudos to them for skating even better in the second one!

And they'll take the 10 point score increase from one week to the next! 4th is a fantastic result for this rising team.

 

[Ena Grins]

The Browns were awesome at both of their Grand Prix. In more than one respect, they were my favorite couple. I just wish they had better costumes.

I'm pretty sure part of the issue with costumes is funding (which makes sense considering they're training part-time in Montreal). They're re-using their costumes from their 2021-2022 RD. I think their FD costumes are fine, if a little simple and suffer mainly from being the same color as their RD.

 

[SidelineSkater]

I'm pretty sure part of the issue with costumes is funding (which makes sense considering they're training part-time in Montreal). They're re-using their costumes from their 2021-2022 RD. I think their FD costumes are fine, if a little simple and suffer mainly from being the same color as their RD.

Edit to add...Reusing costumes but investing in IAM coaching is a smart move. It just goes to show how expensive the sport is and not everyone can afford new and expensive costumes all the time.

I didn't realize they were the same costumes from a prior season! I did wonder why they were using blue/black in both programs. They've really grown on me this season and I always like to root for the underdog/up and coming teams. With H/B out for the GP season, the Browns are a close 2nd behind my other favs C/P. I like that they punch above their weight (height) when it comes to ice dance, as so many people tend to dismiss shorter teams in favor of tall teams with long limbs.

I really like the FD music, because of the sampling with All By Myself from the original source music, Rach 2/C Minor. As mentioned, they really feel the music and seem to dance from within, as opposed to overwraught choreo that is performed but not 'felt'. Even though it's older music, they put a fresh feel to it and it's very pleasant.

I wish they'd gone for a more standout music choice in the RD - but I could say that about 90% of teams this season.

Thrilled for them doing so well in back to back GP's and proving wrong many expectations (including my own) that they'd place behind the other two USA teams this past weekend.

 

[Sylvia]

The Browns' joint Instagram account has 10 photos from Skate Canada International: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzHDsGWLipb/

They were interviewed by Anything GOEs' Sarah after SCI (almost 1 hour long, uploaded today): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Dw5VTUrHU

Re-posting here from the U.S. Ice Dance news thread:

Oona and Gage Brown are taking questions [via IG stories on their joint account] for an Instagram Live at 10:15 a.m. Eastern tomorrow (11/7).

 

[Sylvia]

IG Live underway (ETA the replay link): https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzWfBrFrBjb/

Oona & Gage already have had new RD outfits made but haven't had time to make final adjustments - the plan is to debut them at Nationals.

Raccoons stole 4 expensive avocados from their cooler during their Montreal training/camping stay in September. They plan to return to Montreal for 3 weeks at the end of Nov./early Dec. (when they will be hosted by/staying with a fellow skater).

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting these 2 links that originally were posted this summer in the US Ice Dance 2024-25 News & Updates thread in GSD:

August 2, 2024 Q&A article by Morgan Matthews Pennington:

Oona & Gage Brown open up about financial struggles – Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

Excerpts:

For nearly all our time competing internationally our parents have been separated, our mother serving as the sole caregiver and financial supporter for our large family (seven children). When we first started competing, our mother ensured our impossible situation somehow worked. Our mother told us numerous times that we would have to stop skating because of financial hardship. It was difficult to hear, but it forced us to step up our finances and challenged us to find new ways to help with our funding. We are very private people; our family’s struggles are personal and we would rather not bring attention to the subject. However, we knew that if we didn’t disclose our situation and reach out for help, we might have to stop skating to help our family.

Over the years supporters have generously helped us to meet our training goals. Despite everyone’s generosity, it is always a struggle. We are continuously looking for ways to earn more money, whether it is through soccer refereeing, ice skating show opportunities, craft fairs, bagpipe gigs, etc. We have received strong support and encouragement from our coaches, our fans, and the ice skating community for our entire journey. We would not be in the same position without all of you! Our GoFundMe has pulled us through some extremely tight situations, and we are so thankful for people’s generosity. Not only do we manage our GoFundMe, but we also have a fund at NEASF(New England Amateur Skating Foundation) where anyone can make a tax-free donation.

Donate to Oona and Gage's 2024 Ice Dance Fund, organized by Gage Brown

We are a Senior Ice Dance team, born and raised on Long Island. We are the 2022 World J… Gage Brown needs your support for Oona and Gage's 2024 Ice Dance Fund

www.gofundme.com

Some people have asked about our housing situation, so we wanted to give an update to all those concerned. We are losing our family house on Long Island. Due to this, our family will be separating in order to find affordable accommodations. We hope to be able stay on Long Island to continue our training here.

October 11th, 2024 by Gage Brown, Organizer
Hi everyone!

We are very pleased to have earned the silver medal at the 2024 Denis Ten Memorial Challenge in Astana, Kazakhstan! We are happy to have put out two strong performances in a field of 16 teams and even score a personal best in our Free Dance!!
...
We are very excited for our next competition, starting on October 25th....2024 Skate Canada!

Thank you all so much for your love and support!

Oona and Gage

 

[Sylvia]

Congrats to Oona & Gage on their GOLD medal in Budapest this past weekend! It’s their first Senior international victory! https://www.instagram.com/p/DDFgPLDxBX5/

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

They scored 190.08 total - 75.86 1st in RD, 114.22 1st in FD (this was a Senior B so not counted as ISU PB/SB).

ISU Personal Best Total Score 187.62 28.10.2023 ISU GP Skate Canada International 2023
Personal Best Score Rhythm Dance 73.91 27.10.2023 ISU GP Skate Canada International 2023
Personal Best Score Free Dance 113.95 05.10.2024 ISU CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge 2024

ISU Season Best Total Score 186.96 05.10.2024 ISU CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge 2024
Season Best Score Rhythm Dance 73.35 16.11.2024 ISU GP Finlandia Trophy 2024
Season Best Score Free Dance 113.95 05.10.2024 ISU CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge 2024

ETA:

On Ice Perspective filmed them at NYC's Bryant Park again this year - their 2024-2025 Senior Free Dance to 'Baba O'Riley' by The Who: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upf6mvVe6-E

Choreography by Inese Bucevica, Joel Dear, Romain Haguenauer & Patrice Lauzon
Oona and Gage are coached by Joel Dear, Inese Bucevica, and the Ice Academy of Montreal.
Music mixing by Hugo Chouinard.
Filmed at the Bank of America Winter Village in Bryant Park, New York City, in November 2024 by Jordan Cowan of On Ice Perspectives.

 

[barbk]

Oona looks so nice in bodysuits. I like them a lot better than her competition dresses.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

I totally agree!