When Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim step onto the ice, it isn’t just athletic talent—it’s a beautiful emotional experience that leaves spectators awestruck. Exhibit A: Their skate to “My Heart Will Go On,” which is graceful, technical skating with a lot of heart. The Knierims, a prominent couple in figure skating world, have become known for their strong connection as a pair, both on-and-off the ice, that is pivotal in pair skating. It’s through a combination of technical mastery and an unbreakable bond that they have been able to make their routines into something truly magical.
The Story: Alexa and Chris Knierim
The story of Alexa and Chris got its start in 2012, when their coach Dalilah Sappenfield encouraged them to become a team. From that moment on, their career and personal lives intertwined, culminating in their marriage in 2016. They have, as is clear, developed a rhythm and a synergy that only trust and understanding can produce over time. From the Gold of the 2015 U.S. Championships to their multiple Olympic games, it has been a path that has been on the upswing, as skaters and as partners in life.
The Emotion in Their Performance
In their free skate to “My Heart Will Go On,” the Knierims are storytellers on the ice. This moment is heightened by the music choice which is fit for kings, and ironically from a James Cameron film, as well as their chemistry and storytelling. This isn’t just a performance — it’s an intimate look at love, determination, and trust, much like the song it’s set to. It’s the personal connection between the two that permeates in every look, lift and touch and makes them both feel vulnerable, translating into instant connection with the audience members. And their off-ice connection elevates everything they do, in which the performance feels like they’re narrating their own love story.
Technical Skills on Display
As strong as their emotional bond is, their technical game is just as impressive. The routine has moments — the perfectly timed throw at the 33-second mark, which is nothing less than jaw dropping, is one of them — that illustrate the synchrony and trust that are vital to their craft. This action is also a showcase for their physical prowess, as are exaggerated twists and foot tricks. Each pirouette and lift in the routine not only showcases their mastery of the technical elements of figure skating, but brilliantly marries athleticism with art. These are not just physically demanding moves — they require complete trust and that, again, only adds to the emotional narrative of their performance.
The Knierim’s remarkable journey, one of emotional connection intertwined with technical precision, is a testament to what happens when those two pieces come together. From their early days as a team to their success on the world stage, their special link has helped them to produce unforgettable, emotional routines that have captured the hearts of fans everywhere.
