You got it everyone it is “Chico Time”. For those of you that have not heard my original partner for Dancing on Ice this series was injured with a broken leg on Sunday so unfortunately he will not be able to skate in this years series. So, it was bitter sweet when I met Chico on Wednesday as he became my new dancing on ice partner.
It was a pretty emotional greeting as the two of us were pretty upset losing Chesney in the competition but then again it was exciting for Chico as he was getting a chance to show his stuff now and join the DOI team. We got on the ice with one of our coaches Karen and Pippa the young lady that was partnering Chico in case he had to go into the show. We had a pretty good first session together. I will admit I think that Chico was a little overwhelmed at first as he just got back from Christmas break and never really expected he was going to get the call to do the show. But, then Chesney got hurt and he got the call and there he was all of a sudden with me on the ice. So, poor guy all of a sudden having a new partner, having to remember the steps to a routine and then having to tell me what to do and then sense the timing we would have together was a lot for him. But, overall he handled it really well. As we skated he was a little rough around the edges just yet but he is strong and so willing to try and work it is great and he has some good rhythm too. He has done really well considering he has not had the chance as of yet to have the same amount of formal training hours with the coaches so in my option hats off to him for embracing this all like he has.
We learned the routine or should I say I learned the routine and then we called it a night as it was pretty late and had been an emotional day for the both of us.
We met again today for a good two hour training session. This time we had one of our male coaches Mark there to help us so it was good because then he could help Chico with the male parts of the skating and smooth out some of his transitions and steps a little when he hold me. It was a very productive day and we got a lot of little things smoothed out for the routine.
There are a lot of little things that we need to work on but day by day we will chip away at what we need to do and we will be ready to go for next Sunday. This Sunday due to the lack of time we have been together the Production team have placed us in week 2 for the start week for us just to give us a couple more days to get use to each other. So, when you watch the tv on Sunday night and tune in we will just be doing the skate on at the top of the show.
We actually all got a chance to practice it today in the main rink and I think Chico and well all of the celebrities got pretty excited and the whole experience started to feel real to them all. It was the first time they had all been together since our show and tell that we did before Christmas break and now this time they were all dressed in costumes, and were under the lights so I know they were getting excited that Sunday is finally the day.
So, overall the day went pretty good. It has been an enjoyable two days with Chico and I am looking forward to chatting with him and getting to know more about him the more we skate and train together. He is a lovely man and so well spoken it has been a real please to get to know him so far. I learned two things from him today that I am going to leave you with and that is you always must have in any situation a “PMA”. That is a positive mental attitude. The second is that in anything Chico and I do together it needs to be “ICP”. And to Chico and I that means in everything we do it needs to be “Its Chico Proof”. I will explain more about the second lesson more as we get into the show. But, for now we are having good fun and trying to make this experience we have been given together to share the best it can be.
Have a great night everyone. Tomorrow it is a long day in the Studio as it is dress rehearsal day before the big day on Sunday. Can’t wait. So must get to bed now to get my beauty sleep. My husband actually has beat me to bed and sleeping so softly. It is time for me to join him.
Cheers, Jodeyne 
That is sad news I hope he gets better soon. I watched Chice when he was in pantomine at darlington Civic theartre i think you will both do very well in this years DOI 2012 if not going on to win it. Michael Nicholson one of your biggest fans Jodeyne
Wow, thanks so much for your support. I look forward to Sunday getting out there on the ice with him and just having fun. The rest is up to the powers that be and well of course all of the voters! Have a lovely day!
Golly, I think it must be quite a challenge for both of you to deal with changing partners. It must take a while to relate to the different personalities and learn how to approach training to get the most out of it. But if anyone can match Chico for the PMA, it’s you!
All the best for your ‘extra’ week’s training…
PS Love this layout (reading specs back in the box!)
I miss you my partner…I’ll be cheering you on from the wings x
Hello there my friend, miss you on the ice too! Thanks for the support we are going to try to do you proud!
Wow, that was a great blog, again, and really gave me a sense of what’s it been like for you and Chico. Don’t know how you found the time or energy to write, but again, thanks!
Got such a kick out of “PMA” and “ICP”. You’ll do wonders with Chico, Jodyene! Such a relief to hear that you’re skating in the 2nd week, so you have more time to bring it all together. Don’t know if Sean is skating this week or not, but also wishing Chimmy and Sean the very best.
Take care.