Colin Ratushniak
Mayor of La Ronge, Saskatchewan
In office
9 November 2020 – 19 July 2022
Preceded byRon Woytowich
Succeeded byViviana Ruiz-Arcand
Personal details
Born (1985-08-18) 18 August 1985
Gillam, Manitoba
OccupationPilot, fitness supervisor, skating coach

Colin Ratushniak (born 18 August 1985) is a Canadian professional ice skater and politician who appeared in the TV show Dancing on Ice in 2011, with celebrity skating partner Laura Hamilton. In September 2012, Ratushniak attained a two-year visa and moved to the UK to concentrate on building a career in TV production. In November 2020, he was elected the mayor of the town of La Ronge, Saskatchewan.[1]

Background

Born in Gillam, Manitoba in Canada, Ratushniak began skating at the age of two. He played ice hockey until he was 12 years old, at which point he began making the transition from hockey player to ice skater. When his family moved to Brandon, he continued training and began his competitive career.[2]

Competitive career

From 1998 to 2002, Ratushniak reigned as the province of Manitoba's men's novice champion.[3] He also won a pre-novice bronze medal at the Junior National Championships in 2000.[4]

Professional skating career

2003–2010

In 2003, after graduating from high school, Ratushniak turned professional and joined Feld Entertainment to skate in the critically acclaimed Disney on Ice productions,[5] touring the UK in 2008 with the show "High School Musical."[6] For the next 8 years he continued to tour, working with illustrious names such as Rand Productions and Karen Kresge Productions,[7] to date performing in over 50 countries and 500 major cities across 5 continents.[8] During this time he also developed his skills as a pairs skater, pairing up with Amanda Frank and Isabelle Gauthier. In 2010, at age 24, Ratushniak performed his first backflip on the ice.

Year Show Country
2010Spellbound on IceHong Kong
Snoopy Rocks on IceCanada
ElementalCanada
Magic on IceMexico
2009Ice OdysseyHong Kong
Endless Summer on IceCanada
2003–2008Monsters Inc.Around the world
100 Years of Magic
High School Musical – The Ice Tour

2011

Dancing on Ice

In January 2011, Ratushniak took his first foray into the world of prime time TV when he appeared as a professional skater in series 6 of the UK TV show Dancing on Ice with celebrity partner, Laura Hamilton[9] and the couple were early favourites to win the series.[2] They eventually finished runners up[10] in the series to Brianne Delcourt and Sam Attwater and went on to perform in cities across the UK with the Dancing on Ice Live Tour.[11]

Performances/results
Key TC = Team Challenge SO = Skate Off DP = Double Points
Week Song Artist Score Leaderboard
Qualifier 1"My Life Would Suck Without You"Kelly Clarkson161st – SO
Qualifier 2N/AN/AN/AN/A
1"All the Lovers"Kylie Minogue19.5=2nd
2"Whenever Wherever"Shakira202nd
3"It's All Coming Back to Me Now"Celine Dion242nd
4"You Can't Stop the Beat"Cast of Hairspray25.51st
5"Stop"Sam Brown25.51st
6"Upside Down"Paloma Faith24.5=2nd – SO
7"I'm So Excited"Pointer Sisters28.51st
TC"Rockin' All Over the World"Status Quo57 (DP)
8"Rolling in the Deep"The Overtones25.52nd
Semi-final"The Last Dance"Clare Maguire28.02nd
"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"Jessica Simpson26.5
Final"Express Yourself"Madonna26Runner-up
"I'm So Excited"Pointer Sisters30
BoléroRavelN/A

Beyond Broadway

In August and September 2011, Ratushniak performed alongside Olympic figure skating champion Joannie Rochette in the show Beyond Broadway at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). Performing with professional partner Isabelle Gauthier, they skated to the song "Seasons of Love" from the Broadway musical Rent, as well as joining the rest of cast for other routines.

Tropicana – The Passion Tour

The end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 saw Ratushniak performing in the Holiday on Ice show, Tropicana.[12] Running from December 2011 until February 2012 across The Netherlands and the UK, the show was created and choreographed by Olympic champion Robin Cousins MBE and featured music from singer Barry Manilow. The show premiered in Eindhoven and went on to play in Amsterdam, Maastricht, Utrecht, Zwolle, Brighton, Peterborough, Cardiff and Exeter.[13]

2012

Skating on Broadway

In March 2012, Ratushniak travelled to Irapuato in Mexico to perform in the Ucha Atayde Entertainment production of Skating on Broadway. The show's cast performed to a selection of songs from Broadway musicals with Ratushniak taking the starring role in the sections for Rent and Lion King. He returned to Mexico in April 2012 and again in June 2012 this time performing the show in the cities of Villahermosa and Durango respectively. During the latter period he took on the additional role of Company Manager, responsible for co-ordinating all aspects of the show's production.

Quebec club shows

In between his shows in Mexico, Ratushniak joined forces with pro partner Isabelle Gauthier once again to perform as guests in the Annual Gala shows of skating clubs in Quebec. As well as their Seasons of Love routine from the show Beyond Broadway, Ratushniak and Gauthier performed a new routine that they'd choreographed especially for the shows, skating to the song "Moves Like Jagger". The shows took place at skating clubs in Charny, Abénakis and Lac-Mégantic.[14]

Rock on Ice

In April 2012 and again in June 2012 Ratushniak performed in the production of Rock on Ice, a show which ran alongside the production Skating on Broadway. He joined the cast for the show's run in the cities of Villahermosa and Durango in Mexico performing as both a soloist and member of the ensemble to songs from rock legends including ZZ Top, Van Halen, Pink Floyd and Queen. His role as Company Manager whilst in Durango encompassed both shows.

Kyran Bracken's Ice Party

After moving to the UK permanently in September 2012, Ratushniak performed for the first time with professional skater, Patti Petrus, at Kyran's Bracken's Ice Party in Blackpool. The show took place from 1 to 3 November with Ratushniak and Petrus skating pairs routines alongside other professional skaters Karen Barber, Daniel Whiston and Brianne Delcourt.

Stars on Ice Australia

In November 2012 Ratushniak travelled to Singapore to perform in the Stars on Ice Australia Christmas Gala shows which took place in Novena Square. He performed in the show as a soloist as well as pairs. The show ran from 24 November until 23 December.

2013

Celebrities on Ice

Performing alongside TV personality Chico Slimani, England Rugby legend Kyran Bracken, West End star Ray Quinn and the world-famous Russian Ice Stars, Ratushniak starred in the show Celebrities on Ice[15] in January 2013. Held at Peterborough Arena from 25 to 27 January, the show was hosted by celebrity Christopher Biggins. The show subsequently embarked on a UK nationwide arena tour from April until June 2013 where he performed alongside Dancing on Ice celebrities Beth Tweddle, Matthew Lapinskas and Gareth Thomas and professional skaters Daniel Whiston, Brianne Delcourt and Jenna Nicole Smith.[16][17]

Stars on Ice Australia

Ratushniak ended the year with a return to Singapore to perform once again at the Velocity Christmas shows held in Novena Square. The show, produced by Stars on Ice Australia, ran from 26 November to 22 December and featured a mix of popular music and classic Christmas songs performed by a cast of three professional skaters.

2014

Skate in the City

Taking place at Broadgate Ice Rink and hosted by Southend Airport, Ratushniak performed alongside English rugby player and Dancing on Ice star Kyran Bracken, X factor contestant Chico, Eastenders and Dancing on Ice contestant Matt Lapinskas, and the Russian Ice Stars in a one-off outdoor event, Skate in the City.[18]

Val-Bélair Gala Show

Ratushniak was reunited with pro skating partner Isabelle Gauthier on 5 April to perform at the Val-Bélair Gala Show in Quebec. The pair skated their Seasons of Love and Moves Like Jagger routines at the show; the first they had paired up for since March 2013.

Filmography

Year Month Title Agency
2013NovemberLove Always WinsAll Out[19]

TV production

Production[20] Role Company Channel
Canada SingsTalent WranglerInsight ProductionsGlobal Television Network
The Juno Awards 2012[21]Production AssistantInsight ProductionsCTV Television Network
Battle of the BladesFloor ManagerCBCCTV Television Network
The Million Pound Drop LiveRunnerEndemol GroupChannel 4
The Big DecisionRunnerRDF TelevisionChannel 4
The Brit ListJunior ResearcherMighty Fine ProductionsBBC America
National Lottery AwardsRunnerBBCBBC One
Hoods Ft Rita OraRunnerMTV USAMTV
Loose WomenAssistant Floor ManagerITV StudiosITV
Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the SideResearcherEndemol GroupChannel 5
8 Out of 10 CatsStudio RunnerZeppChannel 4
Basketball WivesLocation AssistantShed MediaVH1
Big Brother's Bit on the SideCelebrity Booker / ResearcherEndemol GroupChannel 5
Battle of the BladesAssistant ProducerInsight ProductionsCBC Television
Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the SideCelebrity Booker / ResearcherEndemol GroupChannel 5
My Gay Wedding: The MusicalAP (Self Shooting)Wingspan ProductionsChannel 4
30 Days of BeautyAssistant ProducerFlareCanada
Barclays – Digital EaglesCasting Assistant ProducerPulse FilmsVarious

Other interests

As well as being a professional ice skater, Ratushniak is also a qualified pilot and licensed property developer.[22]

Ratushniak was elected mayor of the northern town of La Ronge, Saskatchewan in November 2020, making him the first openly gay mayor in La Ronge's history.[23] He resigned his position in July 2022 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot.[24]

References

  1. ↑ Short, Amanda (14 November 2020). "Colin Ratushniak wins La Ronge mayoral race with half of votes". The StarPhoenix. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  2. 1 2 Graham, Ian (7 January 2011). "Have skates, will travel". Thompson Citizen. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "2002 Skate Canada Manitoba Sectional Championships". tracings.net.
  4. ↑ Graham, Ian. "Gillam skater will appear on Dancing on Ice final". Thompson Citizen. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  5. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin (April 2011). "Exclusive Interview with Colin Ratushniak" (PDF). Theatre and Performance. p. 18.
  6. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin (April 2011). "Exclusive Interview with Colin Ratushniak" (PDF). Theatre and Performance. p. 19.
  7. ↑ "Skate Canada International Soloists Join Elemental-The Show at Lake Louise". Adventure Girl. 4 March 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  8. ↑ Elfman, Lois (24 February 2011). "Hamilton wins praise "Dancing on Ice"". Ice Network. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  9. ↑ McGarry, Lisa (9 January 2011). "Dancing on Ice 2011: Laura Hamilton makes debut with Colin Ratushniak". Unreality TV. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  10. ↑ Flanagan, Ryan (6 July 2012). "Ratushniak finishes second in UK reality show". Thompson Citizen. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  11. ↑ Midgley, Neil (10 April 2011). "Dancing on Ice: Live Tour 2011 – Review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011.
  12. ↑ "Ice show Tropicana opens tonight!". ESP Magazine. 2 February 2012. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Holiday on Ice: Colin Ratushniak to set hearts a flutter". Peterborough Telegraph. 27 January 2012.
  14. ↑ "Accueil" (PDF).
  15. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin. "Celebrities on Ice turns the weekend into a scorcher at Peterborough Arena". Peterborough City on Line. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  16. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin. "Celebrities on Ice Tour". unknown. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  17. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin. "Colin Ratushniak joins cast of Celebrities on Ice tour". Peterborough News.
  18. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin. "Skate in the City". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  19. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin. "Love Always Wins". Great Ads.
  20. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin. "TV Production Career". The Talent Manager. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  21. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin. "Colin Ratushniak". IMDb.
  22. ↑ Ratushniak, Colin. "Property Development Interview". colinsworld.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  23. ↑ Pearce, Nick (24 June 2021). "From figure skating star to La Ronge mayor: Returning to the north brought Colin Ratushniak's life full circle". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  24. ↑ Risom, Lisa (20 July 2022). "La Ronge, Sask. mayor resigns to pursue career as commercial pilot". CTV News. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
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