Sean Rice (July 20, 1972 – January 14, 2022) was a Canadian pair skater who also competed in the fours discipline. With Jodeyne Higgins, he was the 1995 Skate Canada International bronze medalist, the 1992 Nebelhorn Trophy bronze medalist, and a two-time (1993, 1995) Canadian national bronze medallist. He was also a four-time (1993–1996) Canadian fours champion.

Sean Rice
Jodeyne Higgins and Rice on the Dancing on Ice tour in 2011
Full nameSean Rice
Born(1972-07-20)July 20, 1972
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
DiedJanuary 14, 2022(2022-01-14) (aged 49)
Figure skating career
CountryCanada
Skating clubOakville SC

Career

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Competing in pairs, Higgins and Rice won bronze at the 1992 Nebelhorn Trophy and at the 1993 Canadian Nationals. They were assigned to the 1993 World Championships where they placed 10th. The following season was less successful for the pair. They finished 6th at Nationals and were not sent to Worlds. After winning bronze at the 1995 Canadian Championships, they obtained a second trip to Worlds and finished 14th. The pair never reached the podium again at Nationals but they won bronze at the 1995 Skate Canada International.

Competing in fours at the Canadian Championships, Higgins and Rice won gold medals with Scott MacDonald and Alison Purkiss (1994–1996), and Jodi Barnes and Rob Williams (1993). They also won the 1992 bronze medal with Janice Yeck and Scott MacDonald and the 1997 silver medal with Melissa Shields and Trevor Buttenham.

After retiring from competitive skating, Higgins and Rice toured professionally on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In 2011, Rice participated in ITV1's Dancing on Ice, partnered with British TV presenter Angela Rippon.[1] In 2012, Rice was partnered with British Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott.

Personal life and death

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Higgins and Rice were married and had a daughter, Signey, born in October 2013.[2] Rice died on January 14, 2022, at the age of 49.[3][4]

Competitive highlights

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Pairs with Higgins

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International[5]
Event 91–92 92–93 93–94 94–95 95–96 96–97 97–98 98–99
World Champ. 10th 14th
GP Skate Canada 3rd 6th
Skate America 5th
Trophée Lalique 6th
Nations Cup 4th 8th
Nebelhorn Trophy 3rd
National[6]
Canadian Champ. 3rd J 3rd 6th 3rd 4th 4th 7th 5th
GP = Champions Series (Grand Prix); J = Junior level

Fours with Higgins and others

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National
Event 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Canadian Championships 3rd1 1st2 1st3 1st3 1st3 2nd4
Partners in addition to Jodeyne Higgins:
1 Janice Yeck / Scott MacDonald
2 Jodi Barnes / Rob Williams
3 Alison Purkiss / Scott MacDonald
4 Melissa Shields / Trevor Buttenham

Earlier partnerships

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(with Sherry Ball)

Event 1990
World Junior Championships 5th

(with Kimberly Thomson)

Event 1989
Canadian Championships 2nd N.
N. = Novice level

References

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  1. ^ Sperling, Daniel (January 9, 2011). "Rippon, Sawalha first out of 'Dancing On Ice'". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  2. ^ "She's here". Serenity Photo. October 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013.
  3. ^ Nugent, Annabel. "Sean Rice death: Dancing on Ice stars pay tribute to professional skater after he dies aged 49". independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Lloyd, Albertina (January 17, 2022). "'Dancing On Ice' pro skater Sean Rice dies aged 49". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022.
  5. ^ "Skate Canada Results Book – Volume 2 – 1974 – current" (PDF). Skate Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 8, 2008.
  6. ^ "Canadian National Championships Medallists" (PDF). Skate Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2009.
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