Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron

[floatingworld]

No. If a team wants to compete, the others have to keep up, this is still a competition. It's not V/M's fault that they are excellent.
And since this is their main rival Fan Fest, I don't see why we should criticize them anyway (especially since the huge majority of us, despite wanting P/C to win, is actually happy to see V/M skate and to see a nice battle) It's like saying that P/C souldn't compete anymore if they win OGM because other teams don't get the chance to, haha

I quite agree and also believe that V/M's presence accelerated P/C's growth as technicians, artists, and even as persons. Despite all the difficulties last year, they took the challenge so well.

 

[Anyasnake]

I quite agree and also believe that V/M's presence accelerated P/C's growth as technicians, artists, and even as persons. Despite all the difficulties last year, they took the challenge so well.

This is so true. They have been "shook" in the best way possible and they pushed themselves so much, competitively and skating-wise. There is this possibility where they could have won everything, yes, maaaaybe... but when I see them now, they are even better technically, in such a short amount of time, it's amazing to witness such an improvement when you've been World champ twice already. OGM or not, this is so much better to witness.

 

[alain06fr]

I already posted a link to this great video and Guillaume posted it on his Instagram yesterday
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb4zbmYAFP-/?taken-by=guillaumecz

FYI, the video was recorded in the rink of Clermont-Ferrand where Gabriella and Guillaume learned skating starting from the age of 3.5 (Gaby) and 8.5 (Guigui).

 

[icetigger]

https://www.facebook.com/CBCOlympics/videos/vb.192209947577094/1160431130754966/?type=2&theater

14:30 onwards. Discuss!

 

[Anyasnake]

https://www.facebook.com/CBCOlympics/videos/vb.192209947577094/1160431130754966/?type=2&theater

14:30 onwards. Discuss!

I think it's about V/M definitely, he doesn't seems quite sure... We're talking a bit about that in the Skate America Free Dance thread. But that might be nothing too.
EDIT : I think it's nothing actually, he was kind of joking and speculating. That is just a "prediction", nothing to worry about.

 

[icetigger]

I think it's about V/M definitely, he doesn't seems quite sure... We're talking a bit about that in the Skate America Free Dance thread. But that might be nothing too.
EDIT : I think it's nothing actually, he was kind of joking and speculating. That is just a "prediction", nothing to worry about.

I don't think for a second he is talking about P/C. About V/M- that's a maybe from me....

 

[VikiLeeks]

https://www.facebook.com/CBCOlympics/videos/vb.192209947577094/1160431130754966/?type=2&theater

14:30 onwards. Discuss!

He's not talking about P/C definiitely. As for V/M, I don't know... Maybe this is a joke, but anything can happen. The second guy was saying something about the competition being in Japan, a lot of energy taken away. But it seems strange to me. Skaters are not kids, they are used to flying and competing a lot. I think and I hope that all the best teams will take part. It's interesting to see them face to face. And it will be the only opportunity for them to see each other before the Olympics. So it is not the best idea to miss the final this year. It will be a challenge for V/M after those 200+ scores too, so they need to prove that they can still be the best.

 

[MelDee]

https://www.facebook.com/CBCOlympics/videos/vb.192209947577094/1160431130754966/?type=2&theater

14:30 onwards. Discuss!

Definitely about V/M. Not sure what to make of it - Kurt doesn't hesitate to make that prediction, then says he's joking, but then again he follows it up by saying that some of the skaters who have qualified aren't gonna be at the GPF, which he sounds pretty convinced about. Going to Japan would be the rational thing to do for V/M, it's ice dance after all. But at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't want to face P/C knowing that they've been making huge strides and shattering world records left and right. We've seen Scott get panicked when competing against P/C before, and him and Tessa know the numbers that they'd have to challenge to win, which in the case of their FD material doesn't look like it's gonna be even close between the two teams. We'll see...

 

[icetigger]

Definitely about V/M. Not sure what to make of it - Kurt doesn't hesitate to make that prediction, then says he's joking, but then again he follows it up by saying that some of the skaters who have qualified aren't gonna be at the GPF, which he sounds pretty convinced about. Going to Japan would be the rational thing to do for V/M, it's ice dance after all. But at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't want to face P/C knowing that they've been making huge strides and shattering world records left and right. We've seen Scott get panicked when competing against P/C before, and him and Tessa know the numbers that they'd have to challenge to win, which in the case of their FD material doesn't look like it's gonna be even close between the two teams. We'll see...

The oddness of the comment for me is the specificity- re ice dance and the top two pairs. If he had just said some of the qualifiers are not going to turn up, I'd think o.k. reasonable prediction. But when it's narrowed down to one discipline and two pairs only, it looks like a fact is known, but the reason that he leaves the door open as to who it could be is so that it is not presented as fact. I mean: it's all conjecture and supposition, but if V/M didn't turn up, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Anna189]

If anyone, it's about V/M. I can't see Gabby and Guillaume skipping the GPF when this event was supposed to be a test to their dances and mental strength when competing directly against their biggest rivals. It seems strange, though, that Tessa and Scott would decide not to compete there, mainly because their scores weren't as high as of Gabby and Guillaume. But if there's anyone who can shine at the Olympics without testing the water at the GPF, it's definitely them.

 

[Anyasnake]

If anyone, it's about V/M. I can't see Gabby and Guillaume skipping the GPF when this event was supposed to be a test to their dances and mental strength when competing directly against their biggest rivals. It seems strange, though, that Tessa and Scott would decide not to compete there, mainly because their scores weren't as high as of Gabby and Guillaume. But if there's anyone who can shine at the Olympics without testing the water at the GPF, it's definitely them.

Sure, but I would hate to see any of the qualified Dance teams not going. I know P/C want to go out there to compete against V/M to actually test the waters, make a statement and to see where both team actually stand against the other. V/M are big competitors so I can't imagine them not going for such a reason.
It really is just a "prediction", but Ice Dance isn't singles Kurt haha !

 

[Camille1409]

But there's no rules about the impossibility to skip an ISU event or something like that ?

 

[Roast Toast]

I think he just said it to make a "bold" prediction... I wouldn't read too much into it. Imo there's no way Tessa and Scott won't go, they really need a victory here.

 

[all that]

If anyone, it's about V/M. I can't see Gabby and Guillaume skipping the GPF when this event was supposed to be a test to their dances and mental strength when competing directly against their biggest rivals. It seems strange, though, that Tessa and Scott would decide not to compete there, mainly because their scores weren't as high as of Gabby and Guillaume. But if there's anyone who can shine at the Olympics without testing the water at the GPF, it's definitely them.

Plus V/M have lost the GPF before yet gone on to win the Olympics. Even if they lose and the narrative goes against them, I still wouldn't count them out because mentally, they are a very strong team. Personally, I think the judges have made it clear that P/C have Olympic gold, but I wouldn't want P/C to get overconfident and think they have no competition themselves.

V/M are presented as being widely experienced and "the most everything".

If they are not OGM, V/M won't have any excuse, especially if they loose against a young couple of 22/23 hence be sure V/M will have to cope with a huge pressure in Japan and even more in South Korea, much more than P/C who will participate to their very first Winter Games.

Gabriella and Guillaume won their 2 Grand Prix and moreover broke both FD and overall WR twice with 200+ points within 2 weeks while V/M were making mistakes at NHK and never even reach the 200 points in 2 major competitions so far. For V/M, the challenge will be huge at both GPF and OG. One of the biggest challenge for V/M is to beat P/C at the free dance and, to me, I hardly see how V/M can beat P/C at the free dance without relying on P/C significant mistakes.
That's the way I see it.

P/C have nothing to loose and, as I said, Gabriella and moreover Guillaume are true competitors. They worked and continue to work tremendously their programs.

In the end, I really wonder who will be the most stressed in South Korea.

Exactly all of this. I'm glad they have so much artistic integrity because I'm almost afraid they will be too relaxed at both GPF and the Olympics. They have nothing to lose at all, and would have to seriously mess up to lose in the first place.

 

[all that]

No. If a team wants to compete, the others have to keep up, this is still a competition. It's not V/M's fault that they are excellent.
And since this is their main rival Fan Fest, I don't see why we should criticize them anyway (especially since the huge majority of us, despite wanting P/C to win, is actually happy to see V/M skate and to see a nice battle) It's like saying that P/C souldn't compete anymore if they win OGM because other teams don't get the chance to, haha

Most people feel like V/M should stop competing, but want P/C to compete forever because they are artists, not merely skaters.

 

[Anyasnake]

Most people feel like V/M should stop competing, but want P/C to compete forever because they are artists, not merely skaters.

The people who weren't necessarily happy for V/M's return were WeaPo's big fans actually (or G/P). Well the majority. There are also a lot of people who thinks that either your time has passed, or you should let the other compete peacefully since you've already taken a break. (I disagree personally... you do what you want)
And there are a lot of people who wouldn't want P/C to compete forever But I wouldn't mind to be honest haha ! That's a good thing they're going until 2022 (at least).

 

[Purv]

Anyone of you ever thought what would have been if Canadians didnt come back? If they retired for good..It would be too easy,right?

 

[Anyasnake]

Anyone of you ever thought what would have been if Canadians didnt come back? If they retired for good..It would be too easy,right?

Too easy, maybe too tricky also... and absolutely not funny. Who wants to have it easy, really ? And they could have lost to more teams too, because what's the point to improve that much if you don't have a titanium team to go up against ? Now that they were so challenged, they distanced themselves, it's for the better. Even though there are great teams (Shibs and H/D are the obvious ones that comes to mind), V/M is on another level. If P/C get Gold the taste of victory will be just much better.

 

[Gotlev]

Sure, but I would hate to see any of the qualified Dance teams not going. I know P/C want to go out there to compete against V/M to actually test the waters, make a statement and to see where both team actually stand against the other. V/M are big competitors so I can't imagine them not going for such a reason.
It really is just a "prediction", but Ice Dance isn't singles Kurt haha !

Well, I absolutely hope that you are right. I want V/M there and we have no need for extra drama and tension. But if Kurt just made an idiotic joke, he seems to be sick in the head. Because he first laughed, but then came back to it in a more serious way. And that is extremely weird if you are making a joke. Either he is simply trying to be the talk of the town (in that case he gloriously won), or there is more to his remarks. As Icetigger said, stating so clearly the Ice Dance event and one of the top two teams, this is the closest you can get to saying that V/M isn't going without actually saying names. That's a bit very precise for just a joke.
I do hope he is simply on a huge ego-trip and just blabbing, but it would really be very messed up in the head.

 

[Gotlev]

If I may be so silly and bold to analyse the limited stuff that I have come across: if I understand correctly, these are some things we know:

Tessa and Scott were very frustrated by the fact that at their last OG they were training with their main rivals who were marked higher than them in the competitions before the OG.
They got silver and decided to take a commercial break, and made an agreement with Marie-France and Patrice to train with them upon return, otherwise they would not return to competition at all.
Their return would be mainly to take revenge for the silver OM and grab the gold a second and last time.

Due to completely unforeseen circumstances, upon their return and start in Gadbois, they found themselves training with their immediate competition and main threat for gold, once again.
In the run-up season for the OG, they still controlled the competitions and won all gold medals, even though in the last event they were beaten by Gaby and Guillaume a first time, but on the FD only.
The start of their final and Olympic season saw their lead disappear totally, and in fact, their main and only rivals for gold once again got higher marks and even repeatedly received world record scores and on top of it were the first ever to get 120 for the FD and a total score of 200 or more, which is said to be a goal that Tessa and Scott were aiming for since long. At the end of last season and the beginning of this season, it seemed they were going to get there any day. And then all of a sudden, when they thought of probably getting it in the next competition, their rivals unexpectedly snatch that unique achievement away from under their noses, with no possibility of ever taking it from them.
A few months into the season, they are second going into the GPF. The only world record they still hold is the SD, seemingly firmly, but with a rather small margin.
They have been proclaimed the gold medallists by pundits and fans, but so far the judges are giving a clear signal that they prefer their rival's program over theirs, even though they have not yet gone head-to-head.

Doesn't this look like a replay?
Are they still enjoying what they are doing?
What is this season turning out to be?
Wasn't it supposed to be their golden farewell, with a near certain victory in all competitions?
Were they not going to be in a different situation, without their coaches also coaching the couple that was taking 'their' gold medal?

I can imagine less frustrating and unpleasant situations to be in.