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Emanuel Sandhu
Skates to Gold in 'Journey of Man'

Emanuel Sandhu evoked a sense of freedom and flight in his enchanting
interpretation of Cirque de Soleil's 'Journey of Man' at Winnipeg Nationals last
month. His dark eyes gleamed and he smiled radiantly as his blades spun into
seemingly effortless jumps, flowing spins, and agile spirals. He raised his arms
and snapped his fingers to begin a jazzy dance sequence, and upon concluding the
program bent down to touch the ice in triumph. The spectacular, near flawless
performance earned him the title of Canadian Champion, and as unanimous first
place ordinals were announced he "squealed like Tara Lipinski at Nagano, but no
words would come out". Coach Joanne McLeod nearly lost her voice too, leaping
out of her seat to shriek and clap. The brilliantly executed program could have
challenged even six-time champion Elvis Stojko, absent due to injury, and Skate
Canada Director General David Dore confirmed that Sandhu's skate was "worthy of
a world medal".

For those who know and love Emanuel's skating, regardless of whether he wins or
loses, lands or falls, 'Journey of Man' unfolded into a breathtaking, intimate
and emotionally inspiring skate, which expressed the 'Journey of Emanuel'. That
journey is a personal odyssey from childhood to manhood, a journey defined by
tears, sweat, epiphanies, sweet victories, and devastating disappointments.

Sandhu, a Richmond Hill native, burst into the skating scene in the 1997-1998
season. He became the Canadian Junior Champion and catapulted to second place
behind Stojko at his first Senior Nationals by landing nine out of ten triples
in a stunning performance. The media and skating community exalted him,
considering him the 'heir apparent' to Stojko. Next fall he won his first
International senior medal, a bronze, at the Trophee Lalilique.

He had arrived at this juncture of his journey as if riding the crest of a high
wave. But Sandhu was unfamiliar with the harsh glare of the spotlight and the
demands of his pop-star celebrity. The wave crashed, and Sandhu faltered. His
potential became a burden as he repeatedly failed to live up to expectations. He
melted down in the qualifying rounds of his first World Championship and was
eliminated from competing. "It was heart-wrenching," Sandhu recalls, "like
having battery acid thrown at my heart." He finished 18th at his second worlds,
and struggled through the following season, which was uneasy and unnerving.
Always captivating to watch, he fluttered around the edges of his undeniable
artistry. Skate Canada elected not to send him to Worlds, and the media thrashed
and throttled him, redefining the skating phenom as 'moody prima donna'.

"Everyone forgets that I was just 17 when I started getting all this attention,"
Sandhu explains. "Being 17 is hard enough, but I'd been fingered to carry on the
legacy of Canadian male champions. It was difficult. My family wasn't stable and
neither was my personality. I wanted to win every time and was afraid of
failing. I grew up on TV. It was a roller coaster ride, and I was too
inexperienced to handle it"

That roller coaster ride began when Sandhu's Italian mother, Enza, enrolled him
in ballet class at four. His outstanding talent was apparent, and at nine he was
accepted to study at the prestigious National Ballet School of Canada in
Toronto. He started figure skating at about the same time, falling in love with
the sport even though his second hand hockey skates were several sizes too big
for him. Joanne McLeod noticed him "skating like a dancer and attempting a two
foot spin with his ankles inverting in his oversized skates". His technical
abilities were impeccable, he progressed through the ranks quickly, and Mcleod
selected him to train at York Region's Skating Academy.

Meanwhile, life at home was turbulent. Emanuel's Sikh father and Enza were
incompatible, and the battleground of their marriage finally erupted in divorce.
Emanuel and his two younger brothers haven't seen much of their dad since.
Emanuel somehow persisted with skating despite the rigors of full-time ballet
school and the strain of his family crisis.

Few of Sandhu's fans knew that the 'boy wonder' had lost his father at the
vulnerable age of 15. McLeod had vowed to stand by him no matter what, and both
relocated to BC a year and a half ago. Emanuel has tested her commitment and
patience, but she can't but help love her impish, vivacious and bashful protégé.
Watching him frantically lace up his skates on the ice after his name had been
called in a competition last season, she shook her head and smiled helplessly in
a gesture of fondness.

"In practice he's top five in the world," McLeod said last spring. "His
abilities are as good or better than others, but his achievements are not. He
skates with his heart instead of his intelligence. If he makes a mistake, he
stays upset. He gets overexcited before competing, and then he gets tired or has
a mental lapse or mood swing. He doesn't know how to attack his jumps, then
drive them through a complete routine. It's not about isolated elements." She
became extremely frustrated with Emanuel improvising to Madonna tunes during
lessons while neglecting his practice routines. McLeod admitted he "needed to
make some changes in order to meet his goals, and be prepared to get
psychological help". Hurt and angry, Sandhu descended into depression and
reconsidered his future. He lost his grip on the thread connecting him to
skating and McLeod let him go. "When the rope snaps you will fall into life,"
she said. And then where will you go?"

Emanuel abandoned the sheltered niche of figure skating and its rigidly
structured life-style. He hung out with non-skater friends and partied. He
wistfully notes that "I'd never socialized before. I was always skating or
dancing. I've never had more than a few days off in a row, and really needed to
take that trip." It had been the first time ever that he didn't want to skate,
but he genuinely missed it, and resumed training with a renewed fervor and
dedication.

Sandhu is happier now. His demeanor is now more mature. Close-cropped hair opens
up his striking face and he wears his long wool winter coat and scarf with
panache'. He exudes passion and confidence on the ice. Having realized he wants
wanted to be "the next Sandhu, not the next Stojko", he has stepped out of the
King's shadow to command the spotlight as a champion, a man, and an emerging
artist.

Sandhu and Stojko are a study in contrasts. Emanuel is exotic, sleek, and lithe
as a gazelle. Elvis has a black belt in karate, and is stocky and powerful.
Emanuel translates various dance forms into skating, while Elvis's skating
interprets the philosophy and movement of martial artistry. Elvis is rugged and
aggressive, Emanuel sensitive and mercurial. Yet, they are the only two Canadian
men to land the quad triple at Nationals, and have the common denominator of
distinct originality. Stojko created a new style for men's skating, and
Emanuel's skating has an ethereal quality and an unparalleled brand of grace. In
McLeod's opinion the only skater comparable to him is the classically elegant
John Curry, 1976 World and Olympic Champion. Sandhu also has an artist genius
which sets him apart from other skaters, reminiscent of the flamboyant Toller
Cranston. Both are individualistic, cultured, eccentric and stylish. Cranston
introduced a unique creative flair to the sport in the 70s, and Sandhu further
explores its creative possibilities with his inventiveness and melodic, balletic
sensibility. McLeod chose 'Journey of Man' because it allowed Emanuel to express
different facets of himself --"his quirky, playful side, his emotional depths of
joy and sadness, and his passion for dramatic expression."

Cranston is now a renowned painter, and also writes and choreographs. His
fashion design credits include Sandhu's 'Journey of Man' costume. He admires
Sandhu, likening him to the rare, revered 17th century Stradivarius violin which
'sings like an angel". Sandhu's creativity is as versatile as Cranston's, and he
says "There are so many things I want to do other than skating." Singing and
dancing in CATS or R.E.N.T on Broadway; performing in anything Latin. Acting,
too. He mimics a character from the popular FOX show Mad TV so well on his voice
mail that callers think they have reached someone other than Emanuel.

The day after Nationals wrapped up Sandhu was up at 6 a.m. for a television. At
the Winnipeg Airport he waits to fly home to Vancouver. He has dark circles
under his eyes, and he reads a biography of fashion designer Christian Dior. "I
just don't want to think about skating for awhile," he laments. "All I want to
do is sleep". However the Four Continents Competition in Salt Lake City is just
two weeks away, and he's confirmed to skate at the World Championships in
Vancouver this March. The media and skating world are focused on him once again,
awaiting proof that he can maintain a world class presence in skating. "I
finally understand fully that I can be one of best in the world," Sandhu says,
confident that his victory was the precipice of a breakthrough year
internationally. He's gained experience coping with the emotions of both winning
and losing, and now skates for the love of it. "I'm aware of my talent, and if I
put it all together, good things will happen. Medals aren't even the icing on
the cake," he says.

"I have so much respect for him" McLeod says. "He's a brave and courageous young
man. I'm proud to have participated in his career."

"I guess I can retire now," Sandhu joked in Winnipeg after fulfilling his goal
to win the National Title. Fellow artist Toller Cranston, 52, who has retired,
titled his latest book is "When Hell Freezes Over, Should I bring my Skates.

Emanuel will certainly be bringing his skates along for the next lap of his
journey. "This is the beginning of my training. This is where I'm starting.," he
said at Skate America last fall. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.

Should Hell happen to freeze over, they should both bring their skates. I
wouldn't want to miss the show.

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