Editor's note: This story was originally published in the October issue of SKATING magazine.
Brandon Frazier was 6 years old when he learned how to play poker. For a kid who grew up to be an elite figure skater, his choice of hobby is probably surprising to some fans. However, there are some key similarities between the two activities.
"Poker is a game of probability and odds," he said, in the weeks leading up to 2021 Guaranteed Rate Skate America in Las Vegas. "If you know the statistics, you can be successful. Even though there aren't athletic or physical aspects to it, poker is a big mental game."
Figure skaters realize that luck and timing, as well as hard work, can play a role in one's success. However, just like playing a good hand in a game of poker, one must take advantage of the opportunities that are given.
"There's an old saying in poker — 'When luck shuts the door on you, you come through the window,'" Frazier said. This is a sentiment that both Frazier and his pairs partner, Alexa Knierim, understand all too well. After facing some closed doors in recent years, the 2021 U.S. champions have forged a new path together, complete with shared goals and a strong sense of respect for each other.
In February 2018, Knierim competed at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, with her hus-band, Chris. Despite winning a bronze medal in the team event and becoming the first American pair to complete a quadruple twist in competition, the two felt they still had more to accomplish in their skating careers.
"We had no definite plans to finish after that Olympics," Knierim said. "We always took things year by year and had discussed potentially sticking it out to 2022."
Meanwhile, Frazier was contemplating his own future with the sport. He and his partner at the time, Haven Denney, finished fifth at the 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
"After the 2018 season, I retired for a month," he said. "I was not happy with my skating. It was definitely a tough time in my life. Haven was very supportive."
Fast forward two years. After a terrific performance at the 2020 U.S. Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Knierims won their third U.S. title. When Chris decided to retire from competitive skating soon after, Alexa found herself at a crossroads.
At the same, Frazier was experiencing struggles of his own after again finishing fifth at the 2020 U.S. Championships.
"I remember there was a big part of me that didn't know if my heart was still in it," Frazier said. "I thought after Haven and I split, I was going to retire. I was really thinking about the next chapter in life."
To put the situation in poker terms — it was time to either "fold," or go "all in." In the spring of 2020, Knierim and Frazier joined forces, with Frazier relocating to Southern California to train at Great Park Ice in Irvine under three-time Olympians Jenni Meno and Todd Sand.
Though excited about continuing with her competitive career, Alexa knew the transition would be tough. After all, it had been years since she skated with someone other than Chris; and a pandemic had impacted the world. However, having the support from her husband would be crucial if the newly formed team wanted to flourish.
"It couldn't have been easy to let me go," Alexa said. "To have Chris' blessing helped me to take on this journey with Brandon. We have such a great support system, with Jenni and Todd as our head coaches and Chris assisting. The whole team just gels so well together. It's possible because Brandon is very mature and professional, and nothing interferes with our training."
Wanting to give his wife the best possible chance at success, Chris encouraged the new partnership with Frazier.
"I was worried after making the decision to retire that she wouldn't be able to find someone who was good enough to skate with her," Chris said. "She could always find some-one to compete with, but I wanted to make sure she was skating with someone that she could be successful with on the world stage."
For any new team coming together, it can be a gamble, even in the best of circumstances. For Knierim and Frazier, having Chris with his reassurance has been instrumental to making the partnership work.
"Chris has been an important part of our coaching team for the past year and a half," Sand said. "It has been really fun to watch him transition and grow from athlete to coach. He has a complementary demean-or to our team and brings his own unique perspective to our camp. The way he has supported Alexa and Brandon is very special."
Being able to lean on his friendship with Frazier, whom he has known for years, has contributed to the group's strong bond as well.
"Through this whole adventure, we have all had a very great relationship on the ice," Chris said.
Any time a new pairs team forms, there is a learning curve. You must learn your partner's rhythm and timing, as well as their working style. Both partners must be committed to starting fresh and working toward the greater goal together, even on tough days.
"I have some great videos from when they first started training off ice together," Chris said. "We went to a school and worked in the parking lot every day [rinks were closed because of the pandemic]. The twist and throws were the hardest elements to get right away and needed the most work and time. Coming from different long-term partnerships and being able to have the amazing elements they have today was no easy task. The improvement they made in such a short time was incredible."
The pair navigated their first season together beautifully, winning 2020 Skate America and the 2021 U.S. Championships, both taking place at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Though the team was excited to achieve competitive success so quickly, there were other wins that mattered more.
"Last season was not about our results," Frazier said. "It really showed Alexa and I had the strength to handle it. I look back at last year with gratitude. There was lots of adversity, but it was also a lot of fun. I felt privileged that we were able to skate during a pandemic."
"For me, last season was about two individuals coming together who weren't finished with their sport and wanted to do more — that was our purpose," Alexa said. "Winning was great validation but it was more about what was happening behind the scenes."
One of Knierim and Frazier's strongest attributes is their ability to connect.
"I would say that our chemistry is very organic and built off of our passion to be the best," Alexa said. "Brandon and I are most connected when our energy, goals and minds are in the same place and when we are striving for the same thing. Chemistry is a connection between two people, but it doesn't have to be lovey or romantic — it can be anything. More than anything, we try to skate with our souls and hope people will feel something when we skate."
The team continues to build upon the foundation of a solid first season together. As they look forward to a new season, they are eager to showcase a greater depth to their skating. For their short program, they will skate to "House of the Rising Sun," choreographed by three-time Olympian Shae-Lynn Bourne.
"With this program, we want to show people power, excitement and raw energy," Alexa said. "It's a program that is out of our comfort zone."
Working with former U.S. ice dance champion Renee Roca for their free skate, they created a piece to Coldplay's "Fix You" that is deeply heartfelt, particularly for Frazier.
"I have always felt a strong connection to the song and have always wanted to skate to 'Fix You,'" Frazier said. "The song is really close to my true identity on the ice, so it's easy for me to skate to it. Our story speaks a little bit to the lyrics — continuing because we still love to skate and helping each other out by teaming up. Alexa has inspired me to do a lot of things. The song is for anyone going through a tough time, and really, it's perfect timing for what's happening in the world right now."
Challenging times can bring about personal growth. Meno has seen this reflected in the pair's skating.
"In their second season together, I see a confidence in themselves and in each other," Meno said. "It's almost an inner strength that shows through in their skating."
Taking time to appreciate the path that Knierim and Frazier have chosen, wherever it may lead, has been an important lesson that their coaches have tried to impart as well.
"Todd and I talk about taking things one day at a time with our skaters," Meno said. "It is important to keep things in perspective and to enjoy the training, as well as the process. It's a journey — we want them to appreciate the little moments, because those are the times they will remember and look back on and share with their kids someday."
Clinging to those truths will be import-ant for Knierim and Frazier as they enter the most important season of their partnership. Focusing on the day-to-day training and staying aligned in their mindset will be crucial.
"We will continue to do what we have done in the past — come in every day with a clean slate," Alexa said. "We will evaluate and plan in the present moment and continue to trust the plan our coaches give to us. Our goal is to put out programs that make people feel positive and good inside, and we will continue to strive to make the Olympic team in February."
Chris believes the team can achieve many of their goals.
"In this upcoming season, I would love to see them build more confidence and keep the momentum from last season going," Chris said. "They work so incredibly hard, day in and day out, and deserve to be rewarded for it. Winning back-to-back national championships, earning a spot on the 2022 Olympic Team and fighting for a World medal would be a wonderful way to end the season."
But for Chris also, it's more than just about medals and titles.
"To see your wife skate and to be so happy and successful is such a special feeling," Chris said.
For Frazier, the events of the past have led to a newfound appreciation for his sport.
"I have to say I am thankful to have the team I have today," he said. "There is a brand-new joy of skating for me, and it grows day by day."
And just as poker players put all their cards on the table, Knierim and Frazier have demonstrated that even when the odds aren't in your favor, you must stay focused and play the hand you've been dealt.
"Something I've learned from poker is to take a breath, maintain emotional control and stay the course," Frazier said.
