Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron

[cocotaffy]

I think they'll be fine, they're great competitors and as you summarized very well they've already experience a similar situation so I would expect them to handle much better this time around. The gold is certainly not a given, V/M fueled by fire can become quite unbeatable. P/C are gonna have to keep their cool and keep progressing without making any mistakes, especially in the SD. Fortunately, they still have two major events to really master their programs. I wonder if V/M will go to 4CC just to get the same amount of competition as the French. Plus, V/M have already so many achievements under their belt, 3 world titles and 3 Olympic medals plus most probably another or maybe two other ones with the Team event. No one can take these away like no one can take away P/C's achievement to be the first team reaching the 200 and 120 marks. I'm sure they're a bit frustrated being champions and all, probably more Scott than Tessa though who truly looks like she's having the time of her life. Whatever mistakes they make, she's just smiling through and frankly she's the star of this team. Now about the judges, we still have yet to see V/M skating clean, in which case, the judges might go with them, who knows. I personally couldn't imagine MR being seen as superior to MS but I have zero objectivity. And I don't feel their SD is that superior either, a bit off topic tbh like a 70's rock'n roll rehash of their Prince SD with couple of samba moves but nothing very Latin which is rather disappointing because I really liked their 2012 SD. Anyway, enough about V/M, we shouldn't talk so much about them here as it is a P/C fan thread and it can quickly get nasty.
I'm wondering though about P/C's crazy schedule, they do not have many long periods of time to fine tune and get those extra levels. Between CoC and IDF, just 1,5 weeks and the same between IDF and GPF. Then French Championship. I think they'll finally get a full month of training before Euros, so I hope they can get things done. I also hope they'll keep their stamina up, they're young and extremely motivated so that's a plus.

 

[maya1985]

I do not know if it was planned that they come back with Dubreuil Lauzon but when they did it in 2016, they knew that Gabi and Guillaume were present ... they could very well have gone elsewhere.
For now, V/M are still undefeated but they did not necessarily appreciate that Gabriella and Guillaume beat twice the world record and pass the first above 200 points and 120 for the free. They want to win everything ... but Gabriella and Guillaume too

 

[blackey]

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.

P/C and V/M are not training together anymore. Patrice takes V/M, Romain takes P/C. I'd say it's very different from the situation from four years ago in this aspect. Also training with their opponent was only one of many reasons that made them frustrated. And I don't think V/M ever been proclaimed the OGM anytime after their comeback, at least never by majority. Their undefeated season last year indeed raised their chance, but only to the same level as P/C.

 

[Anyasnake]

P/C and V/M are not training together anymore. Patrice takes V/M, Romain takes P/C. I'd say it's very different from the situation from four years ago in this aspect. Also training with their opponent was only one of many reasons that made them frustrated. And I don't think V/M ever been proclaimed the OGM anytime after their comeback, at least never by majority. Their undefeated season last year indeed raised their chance, but only to the same level as P/C.

Isn't it a bit different ? Every coach takes every skaters, it's just that they don't have the same Ice time anymore (or they change rinks). It's not just P/C and V/M, it's also H/D. Instead of having a Canton 2014 kind of situation, it's better to run into each other in the corridors, the gym, etc. But not on the ice (I think it happens but rarely). Those 3 teams have all the focus they need instead of wondering if they have equal coaching time or dedication from everyone. And it helps staying focused on what you do.

I think it's a great idea actually. There is no excuse : everyone get the same amount of time, so in the competition, it's up to you if you don't have it your way. Also it preserves friendship, and it helps not having stupid tensions once the season is over. It's normal to be competitive, but you'll deal with it in competitions. No need to put an extra level of stress everyday on the ice. It didn't work well for V/M pre-Sochi.

Also, Romain was with V/M and H/D at NHK. The only reason why he was alone is China and France is simple : 3 top teams = one coach per team.
2 went to GP CAN = Patrice + Marie-France : it's not far by plane from Montreal. And Canadian media like this image of the veterans coaching the younger team.
China = only P/C. They would want Romain with them because they feel better going far with someone they know for a long time.
NHK = again, H/D + V/M so you need 2 coaches. Romain was already in China, and Patrice is the one always behind H/D so you get the 2. (Plus don't forget Marie-France and Patrice have a daughter and other teams to coach, it's not easy). They're also the ones that went to NHK with them last year.
France = Obvious reasons, having a French coach is easier if you want to fix federations issues/matters especially for this season.

We might get everyone at GPF, or just Romain and Marie-France. Romain and Patrice are the more Technical coaches, Marie-France is more of a choreographer.
If those 3 teams had nationals at the exact same time, you would see Patrice at US nats, MF at CAN Nats, and Romain at French Nats, just like last year.
I wouldn't be surprised if we see only Romain et Euros, maybe with their other coach (his name is Danis I think ?) or their mental coach that was with them in France.

 

[charlotte14]

It is better to train in the different rink. I am sure they both feel ok with the current situation. Right now P/C are having the advantage. I think they will win Olympic with this huge momentum.

 

[cocotaffy]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see only Romain et Euros, maybe with their other coach (his name is Danis I think ?) or their mental coach that was with them in France.

They have more teams at Euros though, the Danes, the other French, the spanish, P/C and I might forget somebody. Up to now, she's always been present at Euros so her absence would be a bit weird this time around. But concerning P/C, I don't think it matters so much as long as Romain is around. As you said, he's been their rock for many years and was the reason after all they crossed the pond to join MFD and Lauzon in Montreal.
As for the rink arrangement, it's a smart idea. A healthy level of stress is necessary for any champion but too much just play with one's head in an unhealthy manner.
This year, every Montreal team has programs playing to their strength and showcasing their personalities. I like their programs being more diverse than the past couple of years. P/C is P/C and others shouldn't try to apply what they perceive as a winning formula because it's not, it's just who they are. You can't mimic that. They just have to find who they are. H/B are the more sultry, V/M the more entertainer, the Danes, well I don't know but they did find something which works great this year as for P/C well, I have nothing else to add to every single post I wrote in thist fan thread. I feel Lauriault/LeGac haven't find their voice yet but they're still new on the senior circuit. Anyway, Montreal seems to be a great training ground, respecting their teams and striving to make everyone feel special and have a place. I hope they'll continue their great work this next quad. I wonder if they'll take new teams as V/M will go. I'd like them to take the Chinese team Shiyue WANG / Xinyu LIU who I really enjoy, they could be really good.

 

[Anyasnake]

They have more teams at Euros though, the Danes, the other French, the spanish, P/C and I might forget somebody. Up to now, she's always been present at Euros so her absence would be a bit weird this time around. But concerning P/C, I don't think it matters so much as long as Romain is around. As you said, he's been their rock for many years and was the reason after all they crossed the pond to join MFD and Lauzon in Montreal.
As for the rink arrangement, it's a smart idea. A healthy level of stress is necessary for any champion but too much just play with one's head in an unhealthy manner.
This year, every Montreal team has programs playing to their strength and showcasing their personalities. I like their programs being more diverse than the past couple of years. P/C is P/C and others shouldn't try to apply what they perceive as a winning formula because it's not, it's just who they are. You can't mimic that. They just have to find who they are. H/B are the more sultry, V/M the more entertainer, the Danes, well I don't know but they did find something which works great this year as for P/C well, I have nothing else to add to every single post I wrote in thist fan thread. I feel Lauriault/LeGac haven't find their voice yet but they're still new on the senior circuit. Anyway, Montreal seems to be a great training ground, respecting their teams and striving to make everyone feel special and have a place. I hope they'll continue their great work this next quad. I wonder if they'll take new teams as V/M will go. I'd like them to take the Chinese team Shiyue WANG / Xinyu LIU who I really enjoy, they could be really good.

This is me being to focused on the top 4/5 teams... of course they have at least 3 or 4 more teams at Euros, silly me, sorry. I think she'll go yes, because like I said Patrice is more of tech coach and he'll need to stay with the others.

I said that about the Chinese team ! they have only one japanese team in Montreal, so only one Asian team total I think, and with Beijing 2022, either the Chinese fed or the coaches from Montreal would make a very smart move getting one. Wang/Liu have amazing potential (and skating skills for that matter) but they're with Pasquale. There is also another Chinese team : Hong Chen/Yan Zhao, who were 9 out of 10 in cup of China but who have a lot of potential and could "restart" from scratch if they're willing to move.
Gadbois is probably going to have the OGM, so I'm guessing the list after V/M is gone is going to be very long. But I see an Asian team going in.

 

[cocotaffy]

This is me being to focused on the top 4/5 teams... of course they have at least 3 or 4 more teams at Euros, silly me, sorry. I think she'll go yes, because like I said Patrice is more of tech coach and he'll need to stay with the others.

I said that about the Chinese team ! they have only one japanese team in Montreal, so only one Asian team total I think, and with Beijing 2022, either the Chinese fed or the coaches from Montreal would make a very smart move getting one. Wang/Liu have amazing potential (and skating skills for that matter) but they're with Pasquale. There is also another Chinese team : Hong Chen/Yan Zhao, who were 9 out of 10 in cup of China but who have a lot of potential and could "restart" from scratch if they're willing to move.
Gadbois is probably going to have the OGM, so I'm guessing the list after V/M is gone is going to be very long. But I see an Asian team going in.

Really ! How funny, I forgot you did. I do like this team a lot and being with Pasquale doesn't prevent them to move on like W/P or H/D making their move to Montreal. Post Olympic should be interesting, I expect lots of movements.

 

[MelDee]

P/C and V/M are not training together anymore. Patrice takes V/M, Romain takes P/C. I'd say it's very different from the situation from four years ago in this aspect. Also training with their opponent was only one of many reasons that made them frustrated. And I don't think V/M ever been proclaimed the OGM anytime after their comeback, at least never by majority. Their undefeated season last year indeed raised their chance, but only to the same level as P/C.

I believe your assumption here is incorrect. Both teams share the same coaches, but they happen to have different ice time and schedules.

 

[Gotlev]

I do not know if it was planned that they come back with Dubreuil Lauzon

MF tells that in an interview herself, that's why I take that as a fact.

 

[alain06fr]

I believe your assumption here is incorrect. Both teams share the same coaches, but they happen to have different ice time and schedules.

Hi MelDee. I can confirm P/C and V/M don't train anymore together since several months already. This decision was imposed to the Gadbois coaches, mainly to protect P/C and have them train w/o taking care of what V/M do. AFAIK Gabriella and Guillaume never asked for it. They are too shy and it was probably not necessary an issue for them but at the end, someone took this decision and it was a good decision imHo.

 

[Anyasnake]

Hi MelDee. I can confirm P/C and V/M don't train anymore together since several months already. This decision was imposed to the Gadbois coaches, mainly to protect P/C and have them train w/o taking care of what V/M do. AFAIK Gabriella and Guillaume never asked for it. They are too shy and it was probably not necessary an issue for them but at the end, someone took this decision and it was a good decision imHo.

Do you know by whom ? If so, are you okay with telling us ? I'll understand if you don't of course !
They still have the same coaches as before, though...

 

[maya1985]

I can confirm P/C and V/M don't train anymore together since several months already. This decision was imposed to the Gadbois coaches, mainly to protect P/C and have them train w/o taking care of what V/M do. AFAIK Gabriella and Guillaume never asked for it. They are too shy and it was probably not necessary an issue for them but at the end, someone took this decision and it was a good decision imHo.

It was an excellent decision. Ok it's good to know what V/M doing, but it's good to train without this pressure every day.
For now, the results are very positive, Gabi and Guillaume seem very calm, their performances at both grand prix were splendid, without errors. They beat twice their personal record for the short dance (more than 81 each time) , two world records on free dance (the first over 120), two world records (twice over 200). Their programs are just magical, and honestly, without error, their sonata is unbeatable. I do not imagine they can be beaten on the free.
I hope they have accumulated the maximum of confidence to be able to ... break their records in Japan

 

[alain06fr]

Do you know by whom ? If so, are you okay with telling us ? I'll understand if you don't of course !
They still have the same coaches as before, though...

This decision was not against the coaches, this is for sure.
As for the rest... Hummm... Let me see... I would just say that one of the main task and goal of the French fed. is to make sure the French skaters are trained and prepared as best as possible.

 

[Anyasnake]

This decision was not against the coaches, this is for sure.
As for the rest... Hummm... Let me see... I would just say that one of the main task and goal of the French fed. is to make sure the French skaters are trained and prepared as best as possible.

I completely understand the situation I think it's for the better for everyone though... it didn't work well either last time for V/M to be confined with D/W, the latter getting huge scores at their GPs. You have to focus on yourself. It's harder when the competition is there, now no distractions. And then the coaches can equally focus on everyone so you can't use that excuse if you don't skate well.
Thank you Alain !

 

[CAS]

Madison Hubbel says in one of their youtube videos that the top three train at different times but when it gets closer to competitions, especially ones where they will be together, the share more the same ice to recreate the feeling you will have in competition.

The coaches do this so there isn't constant pressure and tension between the top competitors and that they all get equal time. I noticed when Romain was with V/M at NHK there doesn't seem to be any difference in how the three interact and he is still listed as a coach for them. They were not always on the same ice last season either. I think the coaches just work with each of their teams and federations to try to meet the needs of each team and give them all their best. Of course Romain I think favours P/C but it's natural. MF and Patrice have been closer to V/M for a long time but I think it's very obvious how close they are to their other two top teams, they have history with them as well.

What I see is that all three teams look very happy when they are competing so it's a good situation. I don't see the same Tessa and Scott I saw their last two years with Marina. This is very different.

 

[alain06fr]

Madison Hubbel says in one of their youtube videos that the top three train at different times but when it gets closer to competitions, especially ones where they will be together, the share more the same ice to recreate the feeling you will have in competition.

The coaches do this so there isn't constant pressure and tension between the top competitors and that they all get equal time. I noticed when Romain was with V/M at NHK there doesn't seem to be any difference in how the three interact and he is still listed as a coach for them. They were not always on the same ice last season either. I think the coaches just work with each of their teams and federations to try to meet the needs of each team and give them all their best. Of course Romain I think favours P/C but it's natural. MF and Patrice have been closer to V/M for a long time but I think it's very obvious how close they are to their other two top teams, they have history with them as well.

What I see is that all three teams look very happy when they are competing so it's a good situation. I don't see the same Tessa and Scott I saw their last two years with Marina. This is very different.

Madisson is a great ... great person! I love her. She is such a lovely and sweet person. She's BTW one of the best friend of Gabriella sand she loves Guillaume (remember she was the first to wish a happy birthday to "Guigui" at NHK in the Kiss&Cry). H/B and P/C have nice personal relationships. When H/B came to Gadbois, they used to train there with P/C, S/D, etc. When V/M came last season, it was completely different as V/M partly trained in Gadbois and partly elsewhere from the beginning. My personal impression was that P/C, H/D, S/D, F/S were all together training in Gadbois while V/M were doing many things apart with dedicated choreographer.

When Madi talks about the 3 top teams, she means H/D, V/M and P/C obviously. When I was in Gadbois I saw H/B and P/C training at the same time exactly like in the past years. No change. I never saw V/M.

The most critical part this season was the preparation of the programs and AFAIK, if H/B prepared their programs with P/C, V/M and P/C did not prepared their programs in the same rink at the same time. Of course, I can imagine there are a few exceptions here and there but these are exceptions and the situation is significantly different compared to last season

 

[CAS]

Who is H/B?

The way you write your posts it seems like you keep trying to imply there is a separation stemming from drama or dislike between the teams. Maybe it's not intentional or maybe you intend it but just pointing it out.

 

[alain06fr]

Who is H/B?

The way you write your posts it seems like you keep trying to imply there is a separation stemming from drama or dislike between the teams. Maybe it's not intentional or maybe you intend it but just pointing it out.

I meant H/D not H/B (I know there are too many abbreviations here )

Don't worry, there's no drama at all , just circumstances. When P/C, F/S, H/D, S/D came to Montréal, all simply joined the other teams already training full time in Gadbois. All became de facto team mates, which of course created some connections between them in the rink and also outside. Furthermore, all being foreigners, far away from their families, they needed to build a social life and it was a natural thing to create great relationships & friendships between them, all being roughly the same age, all living next to each others and all sharing a common passion. It's a natural human thing.

When V/M came to Montréal, they partly trained in Gadbois and partly elsewhere hence they were a bit apart in some ways. Of course, they built relationships with some of the skaters there but it was a different situation. They are Canadians hence they are in their home country and their relatives live nearby (London, Ontario, is not that far from Montréal) plus I understand they have friends in Montréal. Finally, as I understood, they don’t live next to Gadbois, which makes sense as they train only partly there.

 

[icetigger]

Madisson is a great ... great person! I love her. She is such a lovely and sweet person. She's BTW one of the best friend of Gabriella sand she loves Guillaume (remember she was the first to wish a happy birthday to "Guigui" at NHK in the Kiss&Cry). H/B and P/C have nice personal relationships.

Madison and Zach do come across as incredibly lovely people. Whether one wants to train with another team not and whether one views it as positive or negative obviously depends on the people, their characters and how they behave. With Madison and Zach I imagine it would be a completely positive experience.