Jeffrey Buttle

Jeffrey Buttle
Buttle on the podium at the 2008 World Championships
Personal information
Country represented	Canada
Born	(1982-09-01) September 1, 1982 Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario, Canada
Home town	Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Height
Former coach	Lee Barkell, Rafael Arutyunyan, Doug Leigh, Wendy Philion
Choreographer	David Wilson
Former choreographer	Linda Garneau
Skating club	Sudbury SC
Former training locations	Barrie, Ontario Lake Arrowhead, California
Retired	September 10, 2008
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	245.17 2008 Worlds
Short program	83.85 2008 Four Continents
Free skate	163.07 2008 Worlds
Medal record Representing Canada Figure skating: Men's singles Olympic Games 2006 Turin Men's singles World Championships 2008 Gothenburg Men's singles 2005 Moscow Men's singles Four Continents Championships 2002 Jeonju Men's singles 2004 Hamilton Men's singles 2007 Colorado Springs Men's singles 2008 Goyang Men's singles Grand Prix Final 2004–05 Beijing Men's singles 2005–06 Tokyo Men's singles

Jeffrey "Jeff" Buttle (born September 1, 1982) is a Canadian figure skater. He is the 2006 Winter Olympics bronze medalist, the 2008 World champion, the 2002 and 2004 Four Continents champion and the 2005-2007 Canadian champion. On March 22, 2008, Buttle became the first Canadian man since Elvis Stojko in 1997 to win the World Title. He announced his retirement from competitive skating on September 10, 2008.

Personal life

Buttle was born in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario and raised in Sudbury. During his career, he lived in Barrie, Ontario.

He attended École Don Bosco, a French-language elementary school. While Buttle's family is not French-Canadian, Buttle attended French language schools as a child and is bilingual in English and French. He studied chemical engineering at the University of Toronto part-time before taking time off to focus on his skating.

Buttle is openly gay and married Justin Harris in February 2014. Buttle currently plays ice hockey for a team in the Toronto Gay Hockey Association.

Career

Buttle began skating at age two and competing at age six. He did competitive ballet to improve his skating. Buttle also competed in ice dancing with his elder sister, Meghan. He trained at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ontario.

Early career

Buttle won the silver medal on the junior level at the Canadian Championships in 1998. The next year, he placed in the top ten at his first senior nationals. He rose steadily through the ranks, gaining experience on the junior level. He made his senior international debut in the 2001–2002 season, making his mark immediately by winning the silver medal at the 2001 NHK Trophy behind Takeshi Honda. At the Canadian Championships, Buttle made his first run on the podium and placed third. It earned him a trip to Korea for the Four Continents, where he won his first gold medal.

Buttle's bronze medal finish at Nationals was not enough for him to be qualified as an alternate to the Canadian 2002 Olympic figure skating team. He hadn't met Canadian Olympic Association criteria. Silver medalist Emanuel Sandhu withdrew from the competition while Buttle could not replace him. Instead, Buttle went to the 2002 Worlds and placed high enough to earn Canada two spots to the next World Championships.

The next season, Buttle repeated his podium finish at Nationals, but was unable to defend his title at Four Continents. He worked to turn things around in the 2003–2004 season. He won his first Grand Prix gold medal at 2003 NHK Trophy, followed by his second silver, at 2003 Skate Canada. Buttle qualified for the Grand Prix Final, but was forced to withdraw. After that setback, he had a disappointing Nationals and did not earn a spot to Worlds. Buttle was instead sent to the Four Continents, which he won for the second time. Buttle spent that summer training in Lake Arrowhead with Rafael Arutyunyan, who would remain as his secondary coach with Lee Barkell. He recovered in the 2004–2005 season. He qualified for the Grand Prix Final a second time and won the silver medal. He went on to win his first National title. He finished the year with a silver medal at the 2005 Worlds.

Senior success

Buttle and Evan Lysacek performed a throw jump at the 2008 Four Continents exhibition gala

Buttle performs a Lunge at the 2007 Skate Canada.

In the 2005–2006 Olympics season, Buttle won the 2005 Trophée Eric Bompard and came in second at the 2005 Skate Canada. He had a wardrobe malfunction at Skate Canada when his pants split during his performance. With a gold and a silver medal, he qualified for the 2005–2006 Grand Prix Final and captured his second consecutive silver medal at that competition. He went on to win his second National title at the 2006 Canadian Championships and went into the Olympics as the reigning World silver medalist. While not a favorite to win, he was a favorite to medal.

At the Olympics, Buttle's short program left him in sixth place going into the free skate. Two days later, during the free skate, Buttle fell on his attempt at a quad toe jump and then put a hand down on the ice after a triple axel, where he ended up losing to Evgeni Plushenko from Russia. In the free skate, he scored a personal best and place second in the segment, third overall, winning Canada's first bronze medal in men's figure skating since Toller Cranston in 1976. Buttle later said that he kept thinking of winning a medal in his short program but later focused on simply enjoying himself in the free skate program, and it paid off.

After the Olympics, Buttle went on to the 2006 Worlds, held in Calgary. He placed sixth.

Buttle withdrew from the 2006 Grand Prix series due to a stress fracture in his back. He began his season at the 2007 Canadian Championships, where he won his third consecutive national title. After Nationals, Buttle went on to the 2007 Four Continents in Colorado. He was the leader after the short program, and became the first male under the Code of Points system to gain level fours on all spins and footwork. A free skate in which he only did a double axel without combination and a single on the second attempt left him with the silver medal, behind American Evan Lysacek.

Buttle then competed at the 2007 Worlds. In his second international competition of the season, Buttle was second after the short program with a new personal best. He placed eighth in the free skate, dropping down to sixth place overall. His placement, combined with that of Christopher Mabee, earned Canada two spots to the 2008 World Championships.

For the 2007–2008 season, Buttle started off slow, placing third and fourth at his two Grand Prix events. At Nationals, despite taking the lead after the short program, he ended up losing his title to a rising star Patrick Chan. At the 2008 Four Continents, after a third place finish in the short program, Buttle went on to place second in the long and consequently won the silver medal.

Buttle (left) during the awarding of the "ISU small medals" for the men's free skate during the 2008 World Championships closing banquet.

At the 2008 Worlds, Buttle placed first in the short program. He then went on to deliver a personal best performance to win the gold medal by a 13.95 point margin over the defending world champion, France's Brian Joubert. Following his win at Worlds, Buttle appeared as a guest on many TV shows including CBC's Air Farce Live.

Assigned to the 2008 Skate Canada and 2008 Cup of China for the 2008-2009 season, Buttle prepared a new short program to "M.A.Y. in the Backyard" (Ryuichi Sakamoto) and a new free program to "Eclogue" (Gerald Finzi). However, he announced his retirement from competitive skating on September 10, 2008, saying that he had achieved his goals in skating, and competing was no longer in his heart. He represented the Sudbury Skating Club throughout his career.

Skate Canada published a Jeffrey Buttle Tribute Book on December 15, 2008. A second book about Buttle, Jeffrey Buttle Artist Book chapter TWO, was published in 2009 in Japan. Buttle served as the athlete representative on the Skate Canada Officials Advisory Committee.

Buttle acted as the Athlete Ambassader for the 2010 and 2011 Canadian Nationals. On November 15, 2012, Skate Canada announced he would be inducted into Skate Canada Hall of Fame in the athletic category. The induction ceremony will be held during the 2016 Canadian Figure Skating Championships.

Post-competitive career

Buttle has toured with Canadian Stars on Ice since his eligible days, and continues to skate in shows as a professional skater. He appeared in the 2009 US "Smuckers Stars on Ice" tour and has skated in several shows in China, Japan, Korea, and Europe. He participates in a pro-am competition in Japan every year.

In addition to his skating, Buttle works as a choreographer, another career path he started pursuing seriously after his retirement from amateur competition. He became interested in choreography after having watched David Wilson, the main choreographer of his programs since 1999, creating pieces and appreciated Wilson's passion for it. His past and current clients include:

• Max Aaron (Assassin's Tango/Oblivion)
• Fedor Andreev
• Ryan Bradley
• Patrick Chan (2012-2014 short program)
• Alaine Chartrand
• Joshua Farris
• Javier Fernández
• Artur Gachinski
• Yuzuru Hanyu (2012-2016 short programs)
• Kim Yuna
• Kiira Korpi
• Kwak Min-jeong
• Sonia Lafuente
• Lee June-hyoung
• Satoko Miyahara
• Brandon Mroz (Mack the Knife)
• Takahito Mura
• Daisuke Murakami
• Nam Nguyen
• Paul Bonifacio Parkinson
• Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam
• Ivan Righini
• Adam Rippon
• Netta Schreiber
• Song Nan (2012-2013 short and long programs)
• Jeremy Ten (A Single Man)
• Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
• Sergei Voronov
• Lauren Wilson
• Yun Yea-ji

Also, he has choreographed ensemble numbers for Stars on Ice, Holiday Festival on Ice, The Ice, and Fantasy on Ice. He worked as part of the choreography team on the Canadian TV competition show Battle of the Blades, and has been one of the choreographers for Intimissimi on Ice - OPERAPOP.

Programs

Post-2009

Click on show to view the table

Season	Free Skating Pro-am events	Exhibition
2015–2016		What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
2014–2015	Here's to Life by Shirley Horn Piano Concerto in F Sharp Minor, Op. 20 by Alexander Scriabin	Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars choreo. by David Wilson, Chucky Klapow Here's to Life by Shirley Horn O Holy Night
2013–2014	Liebestod by Richard Wagner	Counting Stars by One Republic Liebestod by Richard Wagner I'll Be Home for Christmas by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram The Glow Worm (Mel Tormé version)
2012–2013	Piano Concerto in F Sharp Minor, Op. 20 by Alexander Scriabin In This Shirt by The Irrepressibles choreo. by Linda Garneau	In This Shirt by The Irrepressibles choreo. by Linda Garneau Just in Time by Mel Tormé O Holy Night
2011–2012	Naqoyqatsi by Philip Glass	Big Love by Fleetwood Mac Both Sides, Now by Joni Mitchell Ave Maria by The Canadian Tenors
2010–2011	Tribute to Glenn Gould For the details, see the 2005–2006 program info.	Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk Enigma Variations: "Nimrod" by Edward Elgar Santa Claus Is Coming to Town by John Frederick Coots, Haven Gillespie Tribute to Glenn Gould For the details, see the 2005–2006 program info.
2009–2010	Eclogue for Piano and Strings by Gerald Finzi	Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones Good Mother by Jann Arden covered by Jay Brannan It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Meredith Willson performed by Harry Connick, Jr. Belle by The Canadian Tenors

Pre-2009

Buttle performs his exhibition Personal Jesus at the 2008 Canadian Stars on Ice in Halifax.

Season	Short program	Free skating	Exhibition
2008–2009	Not shown in competitions M.A.Y. in the Backyard by Ryuichi Sakamoto	Not shown in competitions this season Eclogue for Piano and Strings by Gerald Finzi	Eclogue for Piano and Strings by Gerald Finzi Canned Heat by Jamiroquai What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? by Frank Loesser performed by Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas Medley performed by Natalie MacMaster
2007–2008	Adiós Nonino by Astor Piazolla Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo	Ararat by Mychael Danna	Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode Ribbon in the Sky by Stevie Wonder Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo Go the Distance by Michael Bolton The Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, Marv Tarplin covered by Boyz II Men Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash
2006–2007	Adiós Nonino by Astor Piazolla	Ararat by Mychael Danna	River by Joni Mitchell High by James Blunt Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash Go the Distance by Michael Bolton
2005–2006	Sing, Sing, Sing by Louis Prima	Samson & Delilah by Camille Saint-Saëns Tribute to Glenn Gould: Prelude from Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner Leicht und Zart (from Six Little Pieces for Piano) by Arnold Schoenberg Deux Morceaux - Caresse Dansée by Alexander Scriabin Variation 16 performed by Glenn Gould Prelude No. 2 in C minor (from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier) by Johann Sebastian Bach Gigue from Suite for Piano by Arnold Schoenberg Concerto in D minor after Alessandro Marcello by Johann Sebastian Bach	High by James Blunt Sing, Sing, Sing by Louis Prima Feeling Good by Michael Bublé Fix You by Coldplay I Love a Piano by Irving Berlin Ave Maria performed by East Village Opera Company
2004–2005	Prelude in C Sharp Minor by Sergei Rachmaninoff	Naqoyqatsi by Philip Glass	Hurt by Johnny Cash Ave Maria performed by East Village Opera Company Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart
2003–2004	Take Five by Paul Desmond	Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint-Saëns	Do Nothing till You Hear from Me performed by Robbie Williams Angels by Robbie Williams Lonely Christmas Eve by Ben Folds Five
2002–2003	Conspiracy Theory by Carter Burwell Overture by Carter Burwell	Cello Concerto in E Minor by Elgar	7 Days by Craig David Angels by Robbie Williams Lonely Christmas Eve by Ben Folds Five
2001–2002	The Last Emperor by Ryuichi Sakamoto	Gelsomina (from La Strada) by Nino Rota	Your Song by Elton John Trouble by Coldplay
2000–2001	Tango Ballet by Astor Piazzolla Concierto del Angel by Astor Piazzolla	Donna Juanita by Franz von Suppé Symphonic Dances by Sergei Rachmaninov Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo Capriccio Espangol Op. 34: V Fandango Asturiano by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Competitive highlights

Buttle (center) with other medalists at the 2008 World Championships.

International
Event	1997–98	1998–99	1999–00	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05	2005–06	2006–07	2007–08
Olympics									3rd
Worlds					8th	15th		2nd	6th	6th	1st
Four Continents					1st	4th	1st			2nd	2nd
Grand Prix Final							WD	2nd	2nd
GP Bompard									1st
GP Cup of China								1st
GP Cup of Russia											4th
GP NHK Trophy					2nd	5th	1st
GP Skate Canada						7th	2nd	3rd	2nd		3rd
Bofrost Cup							2nd
Karl Schäfer					3rd
Nebelhorn				7th	2nd
International: Junior
Junior Worlds				7th
JGP China				4th
JGP Germany		6th
JGP Japan			6th
JGP Slovenia			4th
JGP Ukraine				3rd
Mladost Trophy	1st J.
National
Canadians	2nd J.	10th	6th	9th	3rd	2nd	3rd	1st	1st	1st	2nd
GP = Grand Prix; JGP = Junior Grand Prix; J. = Junior level; WD = Withdrew

Team events
Event	2005–06	2006–07	2009–10	2010–11	2011–12	2012–13	2013–14	2014–15
Japan Open	2nd T (3rd P)	3rd T (2nd P)	2nd T (2nd P)	2nd T (6th P)	1st T (4th P)	2nd T (3rd P)	2nd T (5th P)	2nd T (5th P)
T = Team result; P = Personal result; Medals awarded for team result only.

Pro-am events
Event	2002–03	2012–13	2014–15
Sears Open	3rd
Medal Winners Open		1st	3rd

External links

• Official site
• Jeffrey Buttle at the International Skating Union
• Jeffrey Buttle at the Internet Movie Database