Flashback Friday: Kelly Johnson and John Thomas, 1984 Winter Olympics Original Set Pattern

Kelly Johnson today is known primarily as a coach and choreographer with the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, behind programs including Alexandra Paul and Mitch Islam’s 2012-13 short dance. But in the 1980s Johnson was one-half of Canada’s number two ice dance team — through two partners. Johnson & Kris Barber had an excellent junior career, capturing world silver in the 1977-78 season and bronze the following year, a season in which they also became junior national champs. As seniors their success continued through consecutive national silvers in 1981 and 1982, though international results lagged. With Barber’s retirement in 1982, Johnson quickly teamed with John Thomas — who, with then-partner Joanne French, had twice picked up bronze behind Johnson & Barber. Two more national silvers and a handful of medals at future Grand Prix events through 1984-85 ensued, along with a trip to the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics as Canada’s second entry behind Tracy Wilson and Rob McCall.

This particular performance was unfortunately beset by one significant error, but is an otherwise strong take on the paso doble. The team moved up from a twelfth-place position after the compulsory to eleventh place here and in the free dance, to finish twelfth overall.