Partner trust meets amazing work ethic in Week 3 of Battle

We can all agree that competing on Battle of the Blades isn't easy. Aside from wondering if the online votes will be enough to keep a team in the competition for another week, there is all of the training that is taking place behind the scenes.

According to Blades' head judge and four-time world figure skating champion Kurt Browning, "Battle of the Blades is exposing skills in figure skating that (as figure skaters) we take for granted." Making a figure skater out of a hockey player in a few short weeks takes a village of professionals. Literally.

He's impressive. I have never been scared. Not even once.- Vanessa James on partner Brian McGrattan

In hockey, while the skaters need to "perform," they don't necessarily need to be "performers." Elladj Baldé, well-known to figure skating fans as an electric and dynamic show skater, is one of the show's secret weapons. "I assist in the choreography by working on the details. Essentially, making them performers is my job," said Baldé.

Vanessa James, the reigning European pair champion has been paired with 14-season NHL veteran Brian McGrattan. Their skating skills were never in question. Finding a way to become a pair and perform legitimate and solid pair moves has been a journey according to James. "It's different because we're going back to basics. Paul [Martini]  is very detailed and I get to understand how lifts happen, for example," offered James about the coaching. "It's really interesting and we're working on different details and the mechanics of skating. It's improving my own skating."

Maybe the most telling thing of all in terms of the intensive training is James' reaction to skating with McGrattan. "He's impressive. I have never been scared. Not even once."

That amazing work ethic was clear from all six remaining teams as they took the ice.

Kaitlyn Weaver and Sheldon Kennedy impressed the judges and spectators equally when they earned another standing ovation, their third in a row. Their program included a really difficult lift with Kennedy gliding on one foot, carrying his partner. Despite the technical challenges, the duo wanted their performance to convey emotion. "It was our mission to skate from the heart," said Kennedy.

Natalie Spooner and Andrew Poje showcased their speed and attack in a way that makes them standouts on their own accord. They earned the other standing ovation of the night.

Violette Afanasieva and P.J. Stock have a charming combination of "old-friend chemistry" and solid pair tricks that are keeping them in the mix.

Amanda Evora and Colton Orr have been able to capitalize on Evora's status as defending Battle of the Blades champion to help them combat the stresses of competition. A week ago, they got the nod from the judges to stay in the competition after ending up in the bottom two. "Emotions on the show are very real,'' said Evora, "I had inadequate thoughts about myself when it happened." Orr's take was a little more philosophical. "I think we were expecting it. Regardless, we're all here for our charities and that is the motivation to work to stay on the show."

Another two teams had to face off at the end of the show in a skate evaluated by the judges only to see who would be going home. The announcement of the bottom two teams, Vanessa James and Brian McGrattan and Ekaterina Gordeeva and Bruno Gervais happened off the top of the show. 

Vanessa James and Brian McGrattan were a force to be reckoned with in terms of pair elements. This week, they upped the ante to their technical arsenal by adding a throw double Salchow. James even confided  that they were working on a double twist for a future episode which sadly wasn't to be, as the athletic team was sent home

For their part, Ekaterina Gordeeva and Bruno Gervais have shown great pair skating and dynamic chemistry throughout this process and last night was no exception. Their program was filled with great technical skating and artistry. In the eyes of the judges, it was the artistry that tipped the scales in their favour. As Kurt Browning said, it was "excitement vs. sentimentality."

How tough is the elimination? "It is awful because it sneaks up on you. When we get to the last two teams, everything changes. I know they feel the pressure and want to stay in the competition, " said Browning. The reality is, the elimination is just going to continue to get harder as the competition continues.

Pj Kwong has been writing, doing social media and occasional commentary for CBC Sports since 2006 with a focus on figure skating. Along with Kurt Browning and Carol Lane, she has been one of the voices in the Behind the Boards podcasts and Facebook Lives. She is an author and a former figure skating coach with 25+ years experience who makes her home in Toronto.