Delobel, Schoenfelder unlikely to skate at Europeans

**SailorGalaxia518** · 01-08-2010, 01:43 AM

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder, the 2008 ice dancing world champions, had programmed their return to the competitive ice for the upcoming European Championships.

In the interview with icenetwork.com Thursday, they indicated that they may not compete there and save their new programs for the Olympics.

**Trewyn** · 01-08-2010, 02:31 AM

Hmm I can't say I'm that surprised; but still... I kind of feel for Olivier; how tough must it be to be en route for an Olympic medal and then your partner gets pregnant... Does anyone still believe in their chances of getting a medal? I'm not that familiar with icedancing, but it seems that 2 brand new programs at the Olympics is far from an ideal situation...

Best of luck to them!!

**1795** · 01-08-2010, 04:41 AM

for me i see their "quest" as a closure ...not necessarily victory or a medal (but why not?)
something personal - for the audience, for experience, for themselves.

**life684** · 01-08-2010, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by 1795

for me i see their "quest" as a closure ...not necessarily victory or a medal (but why not?)
something personal - for the audience, for experience, for themselves.

but, i think they can even medal, considering they are such senior competitors and will probably get enough feedback on their program from French federation technical specialist.

the real problem will be competition rustiness, by the time they compete at the olympics they would not have skated in a competition for nearly 15 months.

**n_halifax** · 01-08-2010, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by life684

but, i think they can even medal, considering they are such senior competitors and will probably get enough feedback on their program from French federation technical specialist.

the real problem will be the lack of competition rustiness, by the time they compete at the olympics they would not have skated in a competition for nearly 15 months.

I wouldn't want my big comeback to be at the biggest competition figure skating has to offer. However, given the circumstances IF Isabelle and Olivier do withdraw from Europeans in order to take more time to prepare for the Olympics, that might just be the best thing for them to do. All I know is I can't wait to see them! Just adore this team.

**jcoates** · 01-08-2010, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by life684

but, i think they can even medal, considering they are such senior competitors and will probably get enough feedback on their program from French federation technical specialist.

the real problem will be the lack of competition rustiness, by the time they compete at the olympics they would not have skated in a competition for nearly 15 months.

I take some issue with the notion that they are superior competitors, which will probably earn me lots of irritable responses. I think they are good ones. In my mind superior competitors always exceed expectations or meet them.

I don't deny that they are wonderful skaters. I have liked many of their programs over the years. But they have only medaled at Worlds once and prior to that were known for either holding back too much in key moments or for making some sort of error which hurt their chances. They always have one standout program, but there was also usually a program that failed to meet expectations.

Still a couple who has more time together than any other, so they will have that strength to draw on and it may make their shorter training time more manageable. Nevertheless, this makes Vancouver that much more intriguing. Sort of link Albertville when the Duchesnays came in after sitting out the whole season due to injury and no one knew what to expect.

**n_halifax** · 01-08-2010, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by jcoates

I take some issue with the notion that they are superior competitors, which will probably earn me lots of irritable responses. I think they are good ones. In my mind superior competitors always exceed expectations or meet them.

I don't deny that they are wonderful skaters. I have liked many of their programs over the years. But they have only medaled at Worlds once and prior to that were known for either holding back too much in key moments or for making some sort of error which hurt their chances. They always have one standout program, but there was also usually a program that failed to meet expectations.

Still a couple who has more time together than any other, so they will have that strength to draw on and it may make their shorter training time more manageable. Nevertheless, this makes Vancouver that much more intriguing. Sort of link Albertville when the Duchesnays came in after sitting out the whole season due to injury and no one knew what to expect.

Very good comparison... The Duchesnays niftily won a silver medal in 1992 too!

**life684** · 01-08-2010, 01:27 PM

Some of you might have already seen this news footage of Delobel and Schoenfelder's OD from French Television. the program looks interesting, but even from the long shot of the video she should ideally lose some weight ( just my opnion)

**Pikachuusb** · 01-08-2010, 02:17 PM

Although Im saddened by the thought of not getting to see their programs as much as I would like to, I can see why they would want to skip Euros and keep training til the Olympics. I wouldnt want to lose training time. Although i also would want to get my programs out infront of international judges to make sure all the levels were correct and the program was getting as much points as possible. I would hate to show my programs at the Olympics, but if anyone can do it they can

**1795** · 01-09-2010, 05:05 AM

Originally Posted by life684

Some of you might have already seen this news footage of Delobel and Schoenfelder's OD from French Television. the program looks interesting, but even from the long shot of the video she should ideally lose some weight ( just my opnion)

first off, isabelle weight gain due to pregnancy is to me psychologically distracting - but olivier looks like he handles it well with the same superior control.

the two look amazing. seems like their time-off gave them a recharge.
the both look eager, awake, and ready

but i am so excited to see the program as a whole!
lame rotational lift.....can we please be sexier? :chorus:

i hope her dress/skirt would have some cliche red to it as supposed to a pink.
pehaps a little red neck scarf on olivier?

im beginning to wonder it's impact on the competition
fun and personal vs overdone (i.e. western) or grave.more serious (i.e. flamenco)

**ImaginaryPogue** · 01-09-2010, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by 1795

for me i see their "quest" as a closure ...not necessarily victory or a medal (but why not?)
something personal - for the audience, for experience, for themselves.

I dunno. I have to admit that I wouldn't be particularly pleased to see them miss the podium again (what I would give to mail G/G's bronze to them), and given their struggles, their Worlds 08 success followed by the injury and then the pregnancy.... I wanna see them shine. When Bourne/Kraatz just missed SLC bronze at the end of their skate .... I dunno - seeing that happen again...

**Vlad** · 01-10-2010, 04:54 AM

They are wonderful skaters!

**NatachaHatawa** · 01-10-2010, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by life684

but, i think they can even medal, considering they are such senior competitors and will probably get enough feedback on their program from French federation technical specialist.

the real problem will be competition rustiness, by the time they compete at the olympics they would not have skated in a competition for nearly 15 months.

I agree. Although, not going to Europeans, might make them ess favoured by the judges for the gold medal as they wouldn'"t have seen them in ages.