I wish to clarify something:
By saying that it could be perceived that a shadow was rather cast on French results of the 90s, I do not mean to be saying that any of the French results were necessarily undeserved. And at no point did I say that they were. My basic point was that I have a theory that due to the SLC thing, judges may be a little afraid to give French dance couples gold or silver medals at major competitions.
slutskayafan -- I have to say, I am extremely impressed by your specific rundown; you know your stuff. However, I do have to take a bit of an exception with Bonaly -- Surya really knew how to JUMP. She did not know how to SKATE. No way on earth should somebody with that basic "lack of technique" (to put it mildly) be winning 5 European titles. Yes, the competition at that time was pretty weak, but still. And even here I'm not saying that the French federation was at work, but if you're going to mark for technique, style, etc, like you're supposed to, in most years her marks should have been CONSIDERABLY lower. I will allow that she did have a certain quality that made her fascinating to watch (and if she ever LEARNED TO SKATE, I truly believe she would have been one of the sport's legends), but that should only take you so far.
By saying that it could be perceived that a shadow was rather cast on French results of the 90s, I do not mean to be saying that any of the French results were necessarily undeserved. And at no point did I say that they were. My basic point was that I have a theory that due to the SLC thing, judges may be a little afraid to give French dance couples gold or silver medals at major competitions.
slutskayafan -- I have to say, I am extremely impressed by your specific rundown; you know your stuff. However, I do have to take a bit of an exception with Bonaly -- Surya really knew how to JUMP. She did not know how to SKATE. No way on earth should somebody with that basic "lack of technique" (to put it mildly) be winning 5 European titles. Yes, the competition at that time was pretty weak, but still. And even here I'm not saying that the French federation was at work, but if you're going to mark for technique, style, etc, like you're supposed to, in most years her marks should have been CONSIDERABLY lower. I will allow that she did have a certain quality that made her fascinating to watch (and if she ever LEARNED TO SKATE, I truly believe she would have been one of the sport's legends), but that should only take you so far.