By: Debbi Wilkes

Skating has always been part of Piper Gilles’ life.

“My brother, Todd, is 6 years older, and was put into skating around age 4”, says Piper. “As the story goes, my Mom and her girlfriends wanted a coffee break, so they all enrolled their daughters … and my brother … into figure skating … but the only one who stayed with it was my brother.”

Along with Piper’s twin sister, Alexe, her brother Kemper and younger sister Shelby, the children all followed in Todd’s footsteps. “There are photos of me walking on the ice in my shoes … I was just so curious about what could happen out there.”

Looking back today, Piper feels her early skating experiences at home in Rockford, Illinois had a huge long-term impact. “We were treated like dolls,” she remembers. “People wanted to play with us, spin with us and lift us. I loved being a partner!” Piper still wonders if this set the stage for her ideas about what was possible.

“I was always that child who would bring my own music to the rink, like the Dixie Chicks or Celine Dion or NSYNC. I wanted to be the first kid on the ice to play my music and skate freely.”

Improving and expressing herself became Piper’s passions and, thanks to the support and encouragement she received from her family and beyond, her confidence grew and her skills developed quickly. Putting on shows at home nurtured her creativity.

“At such a young age, it’s hard for any child to be so vulnerable … you can be very self-conscious if people think you’re different.” But being self-conscious was never part of Piper’s psyche. “I wanted to entertain and be the centre of attention … plus I didn’t care if anyone thought I was weird.”

Within a few years, Piper’s Mom and Dad could see that their children might have some potential … and with that realization came some serious discussions.

“My parents made so many sacrifices for us,” says Piper. “They arranged for us to be taken out of school early so we could drive to Chicago … an hour-and-a-half away … and then find ice time and coaching at 4 different rinks.”

At one of those rinks, a coach introduced them to information about another training location to which that coach took some of her students in the summer … this one in Colorado Springs where a one-month training camp at the Broadmoor SC provided intense training. So the Gilles tribe … all five siblings … tagged along and headed west to what would become a life-changing experience.

“My parents could see instantly the amount of improvement we had made in such a short period of time,” says Piper.

Colorado Springs would come to play an even bigger role.

Over the next year, another decision was made, this time to move the family to Colorado to access Broadmoor’s top-notch coaching. For several years following, Piper’s Dad elected to stay back in Chicago to continue his medical practice while the rest of the family settled into their new home.

“Colorado Springs was the right fit for us,” admits Piper. “The schools were great, we were 8 minutes from the rink, downtown was close … it was the perfect spot.”

Although Piper’s initial goal was to compete in Singles, her love for Ice Dance gradually began to take root. Brother Todd was already competing nationally and when the family followed him to watch him compete in Dallas, Piper’s competitive dreams started to gain traction and move her in a different direction.

“It was such an influential trip,” adds Piper. “For the first time I got to see skaters like Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto … and the costumes … wow!!” Piper was smitten.

Back home, another tantalizing offer came her way. She was watching some ice dancing one day when her coach, Patty Gottwein, asked her if she’d like to try Ice Dance. Piper’s response? “One hundred percent! Put me in!”

Inspiration for Piper came from other unexpected places too.

With Colorado Springs a sports hub, Piper got to witness athletes like Apollo Ono and other top speed skaters. “To be surrounded by Olympic athletes was very motivational for me at that age,” admits Piper. “And then to watch them on TV … I was star struck!”

Piper found more inspiration even closer at hand. “I’d look up at the banners on the walls of the rink hanging above as you skated by … all the athletes who came before me. And I’d think how all the people in this building made it happen for others. If they believe in me, I guess I can believe in me too.”

That led to Piper’s dance partnership with Timothy McKernan and, for several years, a string of national appearances and Junior Grand Prix assignments until the team parted ways.

The next few years were bumpy as Piper tried to find her focus … a failed dance partnership with Zachary Donahue, an unsuccessful move to train in Detroit, missing home. “I began to hate skating,” admits Piper. “At the time I was doing my school mostly on-line and as a result I had no community outside skating, plus my family was far away … I had zero life balance.”

In response, Piper felt trapped. She quit skating.

Over the next year, she investigated her options, but none of them included skating competitively. The TV show ‘Skating with the Stars’ was calling; Disney on Ice wanted Piper to play Rapunzel; she began acting; thought about going back to school; considered coaching. “I was trying to figure out my next move … when my Dad asked the BIG question.

“Are you sure you’re done with your Olympic journey?”

As Piper considered her professional offers, she answered. “Dad, do you know how many people get to go to the Olympic Games? It’s for other people who are still successful. The Olympics are not for me. That dream has sailed.”

And then … life intervened.

Ironically, the day Piper was about to sign Disney’s contract, Paul Poirier and Canada called.

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Paul suggested a two-day tryout in Toronto. Piper thought, “Why not take the risk?” And after five minutes on the ice with Paul, “It just felt right,” says Piper.

Then came the tough transition … new country, new partner, new coaches … and a new home.

“It was really scary,” remembers Piper. “I came with one suitcase and moved into a billet’s home … they were total strangers … and so lovely that I stayed for 8 years. They eventually became my family away from my family.”

That first year, the team took it slow. “We entered small local events but mostly we needed the time to get to know one another … and figure out who we wanted to be.”

Piper admits that one of her biggest obstacles was feeling she wasn’t good enough. “Paul was already successful with his first partner, Vanessa Crone. I just didn’t want to disappoint him!” Enter Coach Carol Lane who was instrumental in helping Piper over that hurdle, constantly letting her know she was making improvements and adding value with what she was bringing to the table.

“Over our years together, Paul and I have grown as individuals … and honestly, sometimes it was a real struggle.” Faced with serious illness or loss of a loved one, there were times when Piper felt broken. Skating provided some helpful therapy.

“Thankfully Paul and I had a common goal and respect for one another. We each had to understand where the other person was coming from, where they were in life and what they were going through.” That appreciation for one another became an important emotional layer in the development and creativity of each one of their programs.

Piper always knew she was different. “Anytime I step on the ice, I’m in performance mode … it’s just how I am … which is very different from how Paul trained before. What works for us as a team … we’re curious, love to explore ideas and try everything. I think that’s what makes our partnership so unique and special.”

After nearly 15 years together, a string of Canadian and World medals, international titles and an Olympic appearance, the team’s successful history is still being written …

… all because of one phone call.