Biography

Shawn Sawyer was born in Edmundston, New Brunswick where he started skating at age nine. The three-time (2005, 2006 & 2008) Canadian national bronze medalist is known for his incredible flexibility and spirals and unlike most skaters, spins clockwise. Sawyer’s performances are dynamic and fluid, filled with tight spins, original moves, and unorthodox musicality.  

Starting out his early career Sawyer won the bronze medal at the novice level at the Canada Winter Games in 1999, followed by the national novice title in 2000. He skated on the Junior Grand Prix the following season and won the bronze medal at his first event.  At Nationals, he placed 4th in the junior level. On the JGP the following season, he qualified for the Junior Grand Prix Final, where he placed fifth, and then won the national Junior title. This earned him a trip to the World Junior Figure Skating Championships, where he placed 11th after performing an entirely new long program.

As a junior skater, Sawyer trained at the Minto Skating Club in Ottawa under coach Alexei Tchetveroukin. He had been training the Biellmann since learning in New Brunswick at age twelve, and he performed the spin in exhibition at Nationals in 2002 after winning the junior title.

 At the 2004 Cup of Russia, Sawyer's first senior international event, he placed just off the podium. At nationals, Shawn won the bronze medal, earning him a trip to the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. In the 2005-2006 season (the Olympic season), Sawyer placed in the middle of the fields in his two Grand Prix events. Earning a bronze medal finish at Nationals, earned Sawyer a spot to the Olympics and to Worlds. He placed 12th at the Olympics in Turin and 21st at Worlds, held in Calgary.

 The 2008-2009 season started off with two back to back competitions for Sawyer. He opened the season at 2008 Skate America where he placed fifth and then continued to 2008 Skate Canada International where he again placed fifth.  In the 2009-2010, Shawn was awarded the silver medal at Skate America, but placed 4th at Canadian Nationals, narrowly missing a trip to the 2010 Olympic Games by two spots.