Skaters Belbin & Agosto
Spotlight on U.S. Ice Dancers Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto
World Silver & Bronze Medalists, US Ice Dancing team of Belbin and Agosto, broke their country's dry spell by medaling at the 2006 Olympics.
A silver medal from the last Olympic Winter Games is a crowning achievement in the career of an ice dance team destined for even more greatness.
She was born July 11, 1984, and his birthdate is January 15, 1982. Youth is one of their greatest assets in a discipline where champion-level skaters often compete until their early thirties. Being young and already having accomplished so much might just help them attain their goal for the 2006-2007 competitive season: winning the world championships.
Considering they placed 17th at their first World Championships only five years prior to winning the silver, in the world of ice dancing they’ve accomplished the nearly impossible. This is thanks to precise coaching from their internationally-lauded coaches, Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva.
Closer to their current training grounds outside Detroit in Canton, Michigan is Ben’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Tanith hails from Kirkland, Quebeck, Canada and has dual citizenship in Canada and the USA. In fact, she says her American passport is her most prized possession, and she resents insinuations in the past years that she only sought citizenship in order to attend the Olympics.
Despite hours of daily practice, they are a beatable team, being both human and non-Russian, after all.
For years it’s been understood that you had to be Russian and beautiful in order to have a shot at the top spots in their sport. While the new judging system has somewhat leveled the playing field across nationalities, Tanith and Ben have definitely got the other requirement mastered. They are absolutely gorgeous.
Although she is sometimes criticized for her Krylova-like facial drama, Tanith is a Ford NY model for obvious reasons. She was named one of ESPN’s hottest female athletes, a her beauty is perfectly complemented by Ben’s long and somewhat exotic lines. She is 5’ 6”, and he presents her beautifully, his 5’ 10” physique enhancing their speed and technique, and the world is taking notice.
Belbin and Agosoto were named February ‘06 Team of the Month & twice Team of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee. They also received the Michelle Kwan Trophy for Skating Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award.
This on-ice couple aren’t letting celebrity status go to their heads. They still believe in helping a greater good whenever possible. In February 2005, for example, Belbin and Agosto organized and skated in Skate Aid for Tsunami Relief, an ice skating show to benefit the tsunami relief fund for Southeast Asia ... They raised $40,000. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more activities like this sponsored by the team as they surpass their personal goals this season.
Topping their Flamenco Medley free dance from last year will be a overture from “That’s Entertainment.” Their original dance music is Piazzolla’s "Concierto Para Quinteto" played by Gidon Kremer. For a complete list of their competitive history, visit the USFSA website.
Little Known Facts About Tanith & Ben: Her mom is a designer and makes some of her costumes. He plays blues guitar and scuba dives (not at the same time.)
