Taavi Rand

Taavi Rand (born 17 July 1992) is an Estonian former ice dancer. With partner Irina Shtork, he is the 2013 International Cup of Nice bronze medalist, the 2013 Ukrainian Open silver medalist, and a four-time Estonian national champion.

Taavi Rand
Shtork and Rand in 2011.
Full nameTaavi Rand
Born (1992-07-17) 17 July 1992
Tallinn, Estonia
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Figure skating career
CountryEstonia
PartnerIrina Shtork
CoachLea Rand, Elena Kustarova, Olga Riabinina
Skating clubJääkild FSC
Began skating1998
Retired2015

Career

Early in his career, Rand skated with Kristin Vaha.

He began competing with Irina Shtork in the 2004–05 season. They debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit in 2006 and placed 22nd in their first appearance at Junior Worlds in 2007. The following season, the duo again finished 22nd at Junior Worlds. They parted ways at the end of the season.

Prior to the 2009–10 season, Shork and Rand decided to re-form their partnership. They competed on the junior level in the first half of the season. At the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy, Rand's brother Kristjan Rand and his American partner Caitlin Mallory earned a spot for Estonia in the Olympic ice dancing event. Mallory/Rand ultimately decided not to use it because she would have to renounce her U.S. citizenship in order to receive Estonian citizenship (required only at the Olympics).[1] Estonia gave the spot to its second ice dance team, Shtork/Rand. Making their senior international debut, they placed 23rd at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Shtork/Rand returned to the junior level for the first half of the 2010–11 season, placing 6th and 8th at their two JGP events. They also appeared at one senior event, the 2011 European Championships, finishing 21st. They ended their season at the 2011 World Junior Championships where they placed 10th.

In the 2011–12 season, Shtork/Rand continued to move between the junior and senior levels. They won the silver medal at a JGP event in Estonia. They then placed 14th at the 2012 European Championships, 11th at the 2012 World Junior Championships, and 22nd at the 2012 World Championships.

In 2012–13, Shtork/Rand won their first senior international medals—bronze at the 2013 Cup of Nice and silver at the Volvo Open Cup. They placed a career-best 11th at the 2013 European Championships before finishing 25th at the 2013 World Championships.

He ended his career in 2015.

Personal life

Taavi Rand's elder brother, Kristjan, is a former ice dancer. Their mother, Lea Rand, is a skating coach in Estonia.

Programs

(with Shtork)

Season Short dance Free dance
2013–2014
[2]
  • Booty Swing
    by Parov Stelar
  • Sixteen Tons
    by Paul Robeson
  • Do You Thing
    by Basement Jaxx
2012–2013
[3]
  • Polka: Cotton Eyed Joe
  • Waltz: Old Country Waltz
  • Polka: Cotton Eyed Joe
  • A Los Amigos
2011–2012
[4][5]
  • Cha Cha: El Diablo anda Suelto
  • Samba: Mujer Latina
    by Thalía
2010–2011
[6]
  • Waltz: Once Upon a December
    (from Anastasia)
Original dance
2009–2010
[7][8]		 Estonian folk:
  • Pärnu Polka
  • Waltz
    by Erni Kasesalu
  • Pärnu Polka
2007–2008
[9]		 Irish jig:
2006–2007
[10]
  • It's a Dog's Life
    by Charlie Chaplin
  • City Lights
    by Charlie Chaplin
  • The Gold Rush
    by Charlie Chaplin

Competitive highlights

(with Shtork)

Results[11]
International
Event 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15
Olympics23rd
Worlds22nd25th23rd
Europeans21st14th11th14th13th
Cup of Nice3rd
Finlandia5th6th
Ice Challenge6th
Nebelhorn19th
Toruń Cup5th
Ukrainian Open2nd
Volvo Cup2nd5th
International: Junior
Junior Worlds22nd22nd10th11th
JGP Austria10th8th
JGP Czech Rep.11th
JGP Estonia10th2nd
JGP Germany17th
JGP Great Britain6th
JGP Hungary18th
JGP Norway13th
JGP Romania7th
NRW Trophy9th J.
Pavel Roman1st N.
National
Estonian Champ.3rd3rd1st J.1st J.1st1st1st1st1st
JGP = Junior Grand Prix; Levels: N. = Novice; J. = Junior

References
  1. Clarey, Christopher (27 January 2010). "Switching Nations to Find New Skating Partners". The New York Times.
  2. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013.
  3. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013.
  4. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012.
  5. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011.
  6. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011.
  7. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010.
  8. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 30 October 2009.
  9. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 7 June 2008.
  10. "Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 5 March 2007.
  11. "Competition Results: Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND". International Skating Union.

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