Even though the season was short-circuited by the postponement of the world championships, it was a successful one for American Bradie Tennell.
The 22-year-old earned the bronze medal at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul in February just weeks after finishing second behind Alysa Liu at the U.S. nationals in North Carolina.
In an exclusive interview with jackfigure.com, the Illinois native discussed a wide range of topics, including her thoughts on stars Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno, her feelings about teammates Nathan Chen and Vincent Zhou, her work with innovative choreographer Benoit Richaud, and more.
“This season has gone pretty well for me,” Tennell stated. “There were of course things that could have gone better. Overall, I think it is an improvement from last year. Every year my goal is to better than I was before.”
Early influences
Tennell, who began skating when she was two years old, talked about the skaters who influenced her growing up.
“Yuna Kim was one of my idols,” Tennell recalled. “I remember watching her win the (Olympic) gold in 2010 on TV and was like, ‘Wow. That was amazing.’
“When I was much younger, I really loved watching Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen. I loved watching Kristi Yamaguchi as well.”
Tennell then praised one of skating’s veterans.
“More recently I like Carolina Kostner. I love the way she skates,” Tennell noted. “No one can skate the way that she skates. Just so beautifully. She is one of my inspirations for the artistic side of skating.”
Thoughts on Mao, Yuzu, Shoma
Asked about Japanese skaters she admired, Tennell identified one of the sport’s legends.
“Mao Asada was one of the early skaters to have a triple axel,” Tennell commented. “It was so powerful and so big. I just loved watching it when I was younger.”
Tennell then cited a couple of her contemporaries for praise.
“Among my competitors, Rika (Kihira) is amazing to watch, and Kaori (Sakamoto), who also works with Benoit. I love watching the different programs that he develops with her and then with me,” Tennell said. “It’s very cool because has such a creative range of genius to explore. I always love to see what he comes up with.”
When it comes to the Japanese men, Tennell spoke about two-time Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno.
“Yuzuru and Shoma are both amazing,” Tennell remarked. “Yuzuru is just like everything he does is just so smooth and so precise. It is a joy to watch them. Shoma has such powerful jumps.
“It is incredible to watch two skaters who are so different, yet alike in some ways. They both bring such different elements to skating.”
Tennell, who was ninth at the Pyeongchang Olympics, is already looking ahead to 2022.
“My ultimate goal right now moving into the Olympic season is the Beijing Games,” Tennell said. “I want to be on the team and be the leading U.S. lady then.”
Collaboration with Richaud
Tennell provided the back story on how she came to work with Richaud.
“I met Benoit back in 2017 at junior worlds. I remember I thought he was kind of scary at first because he was wearing all black and had a black fedora on,” Tennell stated. “Now I have come to learn that is just Benoit. He loves his black hats.
“I remember the first time I worked with him it was like a new level. I thought at the time, ‘I don’t know if I will be able to do this.’
It is clear that Richaud’s influence on Tennell has been profound.
“We work as a team. If I say something doesn’t feel right, then he will find a way to change it or to make it fit my style,” Tennell commented. “We work so well together. I am so grateful that I have him on my team. He is so supportive and works so hard for his skaters.”
Tennell, who finished fifth at this season’s Grand Prix Final, admitted that Richaud’s intensity had her on edge at the outset of their collaboration.
“He was intimidating in the beginning, but not now, because I know he cares so much,” Richaud remembered. “That makes me want to work that much harder for him. Because sometimes you coaches can see the potential you have, even when you don’t see it in yourself.
“I know he is always striving to push me to new heights and push past my limits, as a coach should,” Tennell continued. “When I work with him, his intensity is the driving factor.”
Reviving skating’s popularity at home
I asked Tennell what she thought the U.S. needed to do to recapture it previous glory in skating.
“We need to make people more aware of the sport and what is going on in it,” Tennell said. “Let them know we are still here. Figure skating is such a great sport. I don’t think people realize the hours and hours of work that goes into these programs.
“If people knew more of the background and what goes into it, maybe that would spark their interest more.”
Tennell spoke of her impressions of two-time world champion Chen and 2019 world bronze medalist Vincent Zhou.
“I think Nathan is such a positive influence on the sport. He is such an amazing athlete,” Tennell commented. “Watching him skate is captivating. He brings so much to the sport. I think the U.S. is so lucky to have him.”
Tennell is happy that Zhou has returned from his brief hiatus from skating.
“Vincent is also a great athlete. I’m really excited that he is skating again,” Tennell proclaimed. “He had to take a small break back in the fall. I’m glad he is back. He was on the podium at nationals and was on the world team.”
Pivotal point in career, looking ahead
I wanted to know at what juncture Tennell realized that she might make it to the elite level.
“When I won my U.S. junior title (2014-15 season), is when I felt that I had found my place in the world and skating was my thing,” Tennell reflected.
Tennell plans to pursue her education in the coming years and also says she would like to give coaching a shot.
“I do want to get my college degree. I am very interested in the health sciences, like kinesiology,” Tennell said. “I think I might do something along those lines.”
About being behind the boards someday, Tennell admitted she wants to pass on her expertise to future generations after her career is over.
“I do love coaching, so I think I will also coach at some point in my life,” Tennell stated. “I’m not sure how serious of a coach I will be, but I know I will be coaching. I love the sport and have a passion for it. As long as I am able to stay healthy, I will skate as long as possible.”
Tennell indicated that she would relish the opportunity to skate in shows in Japan.
“I have done ‘Carnival on Ice’ at the Japan Open, but that is it at this point,” Tennell noted. “I would love to take part in any show in Japan.
She concluded our chat with a message for her Japanese fans.
“Thank you so much for all of the support. I love you guys so much,” Tennell commented. “It is amazing to read all of your messages, all the kind words you send me. I can’t wait to come back to Japan.”
