Sean Rice (July 20, 1972 – January 14, 2022) was a Canadian pair skater who also competed in the fours discipline. With Jodeyne Higgins, he was the 1995 Skate Canada International bronze medalist, the 1992 Nebelhorn Trophy bronze medalist, and a two-time (1993, 1995) Canadian national bronze medallist. He was also a four-time (1993–1996) Canadian fours champion.
| Sean Rice | |
|---|---|
 Jodeyne Higgins and Rice on the Dancing on Ice tour in 2011 | |
| Full name | Sean Rice |
| Born | July 20, 1972 Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | January 14, 2022 (aged 49) |
| Figure skating career | |
| Country | Canada |
| Skating club | Oakville SC |
Career
editCompeting in pairs, Higgins and Rice won bronze at the 1992 Nebelhorn Trophy and at the 1993 Canadian Nationals. They were assigned to the 1993 World Championships where they placed 10th. The following season was less successful for the pair. They finished 6th at Nationals and were not sent to Worlds. After winning bronze at the 1995 Canadian Championships, they obtained a second trip to Worlds and finished 14th. The pair never reached the podium again at Nationals but they won bronze at the 1995 Skate Canada International.
Competing in fours at the Canadian Championships, Higgins and Rice won gold medals with Scott MacDonald and Alison Purkiss (1994–1996), and Jodi Barnes and Rob Williams (1993). They also won the 1992 bronze medal with Janice Yeck and Scott MacDonald and the 1997 silver medal with Melissa Shields and Trevor Buttenham.
After retiring from competitive skating, Higgins and Rice toured professionally on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In 2011, Rice participated in ITV1's Dancing on Ice, partnered with British TV presenter Angela Rippon.[1] In 2012, Rice was partnered with British Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott.
Personal life and death
editHiggins and Rice were married and had a daughter, Signey, born in October 2013.[2] Rice died on January 14, 2022, at the age of 49.[3][4]
Competitive highlights
editPairs with Higgins
edit| International[5] | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 91–92 | 92–93 | 93–94 | 94–95 | 95–96 | 96–97 | 97–98 | 98–99 |
| World Champ. | 10th | 14th | ||||||
| GP Skate Canada | 3rd | 6th | ||||||
| Skate America | 5th | |||||||
| Trophée Lalique | 6th | |||||||
| Nations Cup | 4th | 8th | ||||||
| Nebelhorn Trophy | 3rd | |||||||
| National[6] | ||||||||
| Canadian Champ. | 3rd J | 3rd | 6th | 3rd | 4th | 4th | 7th | 5th |
| GP = Champions Series (Grand Prix); J = Junior level | ||||||||
Fours with Higgins and others
edit| National | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
| Canadian Championships | 3rd1 | 1st2 | 1st3 | 1st3 | 1st3 | 2nd4 |
| Partners in addition to Jodeyne Higgins: 1 Janice Yeck / Scott MacDonald 2 Jodi Barnes / Rob Williams 3 Alison Purkiss / Scott MacDonald 4 Melissa Shields / Trevor Buttenham | ||||||
Earlier partnerships
edit(with Sherry Ball)
| Event | 1990 |
|---|---|
| World Junior Championships | 5th |
(with Kimberly Thomson)
| Event | 1989 |
|---|---|
| Canadian Championships | 2nd N. |
| N. = Novice level | |
References
edit- ^ Sperling, Daniel (January 9, 2011). "Rippon, Sawalha first out of 'Dancing On Ice'". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
- ^ "She's here". Serenity Photo. October 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013.
- ^ Nugent, Annabel. "Sean Rice death: Dancing on Ice stars pay tribute to professional skater after he dies aged 49". independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022.
- ^ Lloyd, Albertina (January 17, 2022). "'Dancing On Ice' pro skater Sean Rice dies aged 49". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Skate Canada Results Book – Volume 2 – 1974 – current" (PDF). Skate Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 8, 2008.
- ^ "Canadian National Championships Medallists" (PDF). Skate Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2009.