Tanith Belbin White

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Tanith Belbin White
Belbin in a press conference
Full nameTanith Jessica Louise Belbin
BornTanith Jessica Louise Belbin
(1984-07-11) July 11, 1984 (age 39)
Kingston, Ontario
Height1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Figure skating career
CountryUnited States
PartnerBenjamin Agosto
Skating clubIceWorks
Began skating1986
RetiredJune 13, 2010
Medal record
Figure skating
Ice dancing
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2006 Turin
Ice dancing
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2005 Moscow Ice dancing
Silver medal – second place 2009 Los Angeles
Ice dancing
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Calgary Ice dancing
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Tokyo Ice dancing
Four Continents Championships
Gold medal – first place 2004 Hamilton Ice dancing
Gold medal – first place 2005 Gangneung Ice dancing
Gold medal – first place 2006 Colorado Springs Ice dancing
Silver medal – second place 2002 Jeonju Ice dancing
Silver medal – second place 2003 Beijing Ice dancing
Silver medal – second place 2007 Colorado Springs Ice dancing
Grand Prix Final
Silver medal – second place
2004–2005 Beijing
 Ice dancing
Silver medal – second place
2007–2008 Turin
 Ice dancing
Bronze medal – third place
2003–2004 Colorado Springs
 Ice dancing
World Team Trophy
Gold medal – first place 2009 Tokyo Team
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2002 Hamar Ice dancing
Silver medal – second place 2001 Sofia Ice dancing
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Oberstdorf Ice dancing
Junior Grand Prix Final
Gold medal – first place
2000–2001 Ayr
 Ice dancing

Tanith Jessica Louise Belbin White (born July 11, 1984) is a Canadian American

U.S. champion
(2004–2008).

Personal life

Tanith Belbin was born in

green card until July 2002 and would not have been granted U.S. citizenship until 2007.[1] An amendment was passed which allowed Belbin to be sworn in as an American citizen on December 31, 2005.[1] The amendment was authored by Senator Carl Levin who stated, "This amendment corrects an anomaly in the law that unfairly disadvantaged some people who had begun their naturalization process before 2002. Tanith Belbin began her naturalization process in 2000, but due to changes that were made to the law in 2002, the process has taken significantly longer than it would have if she had filed her paperwork 2 years later."[2]

Belbin lived and trained in

Aston, Pennsylvania. After 2010, Belbin decided to move back to Michigan to attend Eastern Michigan University[3] and be closer to friends and family, including then-boyfriend Charlie White.[4][5] Belbin and White became engaged in June 2014 and were married on April 25, 2015.[6][7] In 2017, their son was born.[8]

Her father, Charles Belbin, is a public relations manager, while her mother, Michelle (née McKinlay) Belbin, is a former figure skater (who trained in St. John's, Newfoundland under Rolf Adomeit), coach, and costume designer.[9] Michelle made some of Tanith's costumes.

Career

Tanith Belbin began skating when she was almost three and started ice dancing at about eight or nine.[10] She competed both as a pair skater and ice dancer in Canada before deciding to concentrate completely on ice dancing. She was introduced to ice dancing by Paul Wirtz and competed with partner Liam Dougherty. Her pairs partner was Ben Barruco, with whom she placed 2nd at the novice level at the 1997 Canadian Championships. She did not compete with either partner internationally.

Partnership with Agosto

After a year without a partner in Canada,

2001 U.S. Championships
and won the silver medal, qualifying them for their first senior World Championships, where they finished 17th.

In 2001–2002, Belbin / Agosto made their senior

U.S. Championships, which would have qualified them for the 2002 Winter Olympics if Belbin had been an American citizen. Instead, Belbin and Agosto were sent to all the other ISU Championships for which they were eligible: Four Continents, Junior Worlds, and Worlds. They won the 2002 World Junior Championships,[11]
completing their set of medals from that event. Following that season, Agosto aged out of juniors.

Belbin / Agosto won the

Nationals in 2005, the last year of the 6.0 system, Belbin / Agosto received straight perfect sixes for presentation in their free dance. Of the 30 6.0s given out in ice dance at U.S. Nationals, Belbin / Agosto have 14 of them. Their total 6.0 count at the U.S. Championships is second only to Michelle Kwan
(38).

Belbin / Agosto won the silver medal at the 2005 World Championships.

Fans of Belbin / Agosto wrote letters and signed petitions asking for a special act of Congress to allow Belbin to become a citizen in time for her to compete at the

naturalized citizen, allowing her to compete for the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics.[1][2]

In January 2006, Belbin / Agosto won their third consecutive national title and qualified for the Olympics. At the Turin Olympics, Belbin and Agosto won the silver medal in ice dancing, the first American ice dancers to win an Olympic medal in 30 years. They went on to win the bronze at Worlds.

Belbin / Agosto began the 2006–2007 season with a free dance called That's Entertainment but arrived at Nationals with a new program to the music of Amelie. They won gold at Nationals, the silver medal at Four Continents, and the bronze at Worlds.

In 2007–2008, they won gold medals at both Skate America and Cup of China which qualified them for the Grand Prix Final, where they took the silver medal. They won their 5th national title and then placed 4th at the 2008 Worlds after a fall by Belbin in the compulsory dance. Belbin / Agosto were regular cast members of the Champions on Ice tour from 2004 until COI went out of business following the 2007 season.[citation needed] They were guest stars on part of the 2008 Stars on Ice tour.[citation needed]

In April 2008,

Aston, Pennsylvania.[15] In addition to teaching different technique,[14] Linichuk advised Belbin to gain 10 pounds and develop some muscles in order to skate faster and more fluidly.[15] This also gave Belbin more core strength to hold her positions better, thus making lifts easier for Agosto.[15]

Belbin / Agosto began the 2008–2009 season at the

2009 U.S. Championships before the event began due to Agosto's injury.[16] They were named to the team to the 2009 World Championships
. At Worlds, they won the original dance and placed second in the compulsory and free dances to win the silver medal overall.

Belbin / Agosto won both their Grand Prix events in the 2009–10 season: the

ice dancing event. They did not compete at the 2010 World Championships
.

On June 10, 2010, Belbin / Agosto announced their retirement from eligible skating.[19] They have continued to skate together in ice shows.[4]

On December 15, 2015,

U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Class of 2016.[20] The induction ceremony was held on January 22, 2016 at the 2016 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.[21]

Post-competitive career

Belbin has worked as a commentator for ice dance competitions on Universal Sports Network, the ABC show Skating with the Stars,[22] and for icenetwork.com.[23] She has also worked as a commentator for four seasons of Curling Night in America, a NBCSN program that broadcasts a made-for-television curling competition.[24]

In October 2011 Belbin competed as a pro on season 3 of Battle of the Blades paired with Boyd Devereaux; the pair placed 3rd in the competition.

Belbin also works as a choreographer.[25]

Coaching career

In 2022, Belbin opened the Michigan Ice Dance Academy with Charlie White and Greg Zuerlein.[26] Their current teams include:

Their former teams include:

Programs

straight-line lift during their Tosca free dance at the 2009 World Championships
.

(with Agosto)

Season Original dance
Free dance
 Exhibition
2009–2010
[27][28] 		Moldavian folk dance:
  • Moldovaneska
2008–2009
[28][29]
2007–2008
[28][30]
  • Cotton Eyed Joe
  • Country Waltz
  • Appalachian Hoedown
    by Bluegrass
2006–2007
[28][31][32]
  • Concierto Para Quinteto
    by
    Ástor Piazzolla
  • Oblivion
    by Ástor Piazzolla
  • Let's Get Loud
    by Jennifer Lopez
2005–2006
[28][33]
  • Bulenas
  • Jaleo
    by Luis Winsberg
  • Duende
    by Esteban
  • American Woman
  • La Rosa
  • Let's Get Loud
    by Jennifer Lopez
2004–2005
[28][34] 		Russian gypsy dance:
  • Shadritsa
2003–2004
[28][35]
  • Green Acres
2002–2003
[28][36]
  • Elvis Presley medley
    (modified FD)
2001–2002
[37]
  • Sarajevo
    by
    Goran Bregovic
  • Oscar Tango
2000–2001
[9]
  • Alexandros
    by Staminis Spanudikis
  • Une Vie d'Amour
1999–2000

Competitive highlights

Belbin and Agosto (left) on the podium at the 2009 World Championships

(ice dancing with Agosto)

Results[38]
International
Event 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
2008–09
2009–10
Olympics 2nd 4th
Worlds 17th 13th 7th 5th 2nd 3rd 3rd 4th 2nd
Four Continents 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd
Grand Prix Final 3rd 2nd WD 2nd WD WD
GP Cup of China 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st
GP
Cup of Russia
 2nd 1st
GP
Lalique
 6th 3rd 4th
GP Skate America 5th 3rd 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st
Goodwill Games 5th
Nebelhorn 1st
International: Junior
Junior Worlds 3rd 2nd 1st
JGP Final 4th 1st
JGP Canada 1st
JGP Germany
 1st
JGP Japan 2nd
JGP Mexico
 1st
National
U.S. Champ.
 1st J. 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st WD 2nd
Team events
World Team
 1T / 1P
GP = Grand Prix; JGP = Junior Grand Prix; J. = Junior level; WD = Withdrew; T = Team result; P = Personal result; Medals awarded for team result only.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Ice dancer Belbin sworn in as U.S. citizen". USA Today. Associated Press. December 31, 2005.
  2. ^ a b "Levin Amendment to Correct "Catch-22" for "Aliens of Extraordinary Ability" Approved by Congress". levin.senate.gov. December 22, 2005. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013.
  3. ^ "Five favorite things with Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto". Icenetwork.com. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto: Life after retiring (video)". Life Skate. July 10, 2010. Archived from the original on July 21, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  5. ^ Rogers, Martin. "Why Olympic star Charlie White doesn't want you to know whom he's dating". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo!. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  6. ^ Saad, Nardine (June 10, 2014). "Olympian Charlie White announces engagement on Instagram". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ^ "Ice Dancers Charlie White and Tanith Belbin Say 'I Do'". April 25, 2015.
  8. ^ Prahl, Amanda (6 February 2022). "Here's What Olympic Gold Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White Are Doing Now". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2000/2001". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 20, 2001.
  10. ^ a b "Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto: Online Interview". goldenskate.com. April 28, 2003. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
  11. ^ a b "World Junior Figure Skating Championships: ISU Results: Dance" (PDF). International Skating Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-04.
  12. ^ "Mitchell's letter to lawmakers". ESPN. December 5, 2005. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  13. ^ "Belbin faces another road block in quest for citizenship". ESPN. December 5, 2005. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  14. ^ a b Mittan, Barry (February 20, 2010). "Last Hurrah for Belbin and Agosto". Skate Today.
  15. ^
    New York Times
    . Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  16. ^ "Injury forces Belbin and Agosto to withdraw from 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships". U.S. Figure Skating. January 8, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  17. ^ "Belbin, Agosto withdraw from Grand Prix Final". Icenetwork. November 24, 2009. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  18. ^ "U.S. Figure Skating Announces Ladies, Ice Dancing Teams Nominated to 2010 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team". U.S. Figure Skating. January 23, 2010. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  19. ^ "2006 Olympic Silver Medalist Ice Dancers Belbin and Agosto Announce Retirement from Competitive Figure Skating". U.S. Figure Skating. June 10, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  20. ^ "Lysacek, Cohen lead five-member U.S. HOF class" (Press release). U.S. Figure Skating. December 25, 2015. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  21. ^ Rosewater, Amy (January 23, 2016). "Decorated U.S. skaters honored with HOF induction; Trailblazing ice dancers Belbin and Agosto, coach Lussi also elected". IceNetwork. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  22. ^ "Pro Skater Pairings, Host and Color Commentator for ABC's "Skating With the Stars" Announced". The Futon Critic. November 11, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  23. ^ Elfman, Lois (January 10, 2013). "Excited Belbin still in awe of U.S. championships". IceNetwork.
  24. ^ "FRIDAY NIGHT IS CURLING NIGHT – TEAM USA OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JOHN SHUSTER HEADLINES SIXTH SEASON OF CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA ON NBCSN". NBC Sports Group Press Box. January 10, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  25. ^ Rutherford, Lynn (January 24, 2012). "Gold dances 'Sugar Plum' as she envisioned, wins". IceNetwork.
  26. ^ "Michigan Ice Dance Academy to Open in 2022 | U.S. Figure Skating". www.usfigureskating.org. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  27. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h "Tanith Belbin / Benjamin Agosto". IceNetwork. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011.
  29. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 6, 2009.
  30. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008.
  31. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007.
  32. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 15, 2006.
  33. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2005/2006". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006.
  34. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2004/2005". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2005.
  35. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2003/2004". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004.
  36. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2002/2003". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 18, 2003.
  37. ^ "Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO: 2001/2002". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 2, 2002.
  38. ^ "Competition Results: Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tanith Belbin.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tanith_Belbin_White&oldid=1220337869"