Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron

[floatingworld]

L'Equipe - Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron know that an Olympic title "is possible"
https://www.lequipe.fr/Patinage-art...ume-cizeron-on-sait-que-c-est-possible/857876

Gabriella:
We felt very good, we were quite calm despite the pressure we had, we managed to manage. This is the first time we compete against Tessa and Scott and the others, we knew it would be stressful and we wanted to deliver two great performances. We beat them, we made a new world record (the total score, with 202.16 pts), that proves that it is possible at the Olympics and we will continue to work to get there. It's tempting to say that it's already won (in the Olympics) but it's not. We know very well that our competitors will work like hell and we know that we will have to do the same.

Guillaume:
It feels good to be able to deliver good performances like today. We are also happy to see that we still have a lot of margin on both programs, technically and artistically. It's a good base but there is still work. We felt relatively serene but still focused. There is always competition fright and stress but it did not make us lose our means. We will try to work and continue our momentum, to remain confident

Thank you for sharing this, alain06fr! What they say reflect the fact that they had the correct and best mindset that a competitor can ever have during a high stakes situation. Looks like this was also one that they learned to incorporate in their skill set so quickly after all the stress and challenges they've been exposed to last year. In high stakes competitions, there is that temptation to inject a 'little bit more' of passion and intensity in the hopes of getting more points or audience response, but if one has not learned how to do that without losing control, mistakes are going to happen (this is what, I believe, happened to one of their competitors during the GP final ...). I am glad G&G kept their calm and serenity and remained focused. Their interview tells me that.

 

[floatingworld]

I wish them to become European Champions in Moscow for the 4th consecutive time (would be another huge achievement at 22 and 23 (!) as Europeans are always tricky, believe me!) before creating the magic on the ice of the Gangneung Arena.

I am curious as to what you meant when you said 'as Europeans are always tricky, believe me!'. If you don't mind elaborating (and if this is something you can explain in public), that would be great!

 

[Gotlev]

Indeed I hadn't even notice, you were right it makes it more dynamic, maybe they do read the fan fest after all.

I may be one of Peepsquick's 3 nutcases here , but I don't live in the illusion that they heard me and made the change accordingly!
I think it was a quite obvious thing to do, and probably the plan already at some point but not fully integrated before. I can understand that they have so much to be aware of while skating, and that these kinds of things come last. I do agree that doing the element correctly is more important than this. But it surely adds to the magic when it is done on the beat!

Now IF they have time to read the fan fest: WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!! FEEL FREE TO MAKE THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO WATCH!!

 

[Iris81]

First of all, congratulations to Gabriella and Guillaume and to all their fans with great competition and with new title! Great job!

If someone is interested in my very rough translation of Tatiana Tarasova's commentary, which she gave during Gala, here it is.
She said that P/C have clearly better SD than V/M, they skate like noone, they understand latin music, their SD is a street dance.
About FD: Canadians have very good FD, we understand it, because we watched that movie, but in 2017 it is possibly (in her opinion) a negative moment, as we've already seen a lot of dances, which are based on famous movie characters; they took what was on the surface. The French team creates dances that allow to all viewers create their own image, their own understanding of the music and of the state of these two people. She said P/C's dances are like paintings which you paint for youself; it is like impressionists.

upd. And also she praised their ability to feel each other during every moment.

 

[icetigger]

First of all, congratulations to Gabriella and Guillaume and to all their fans with great competition and with new title! Great job!

If someone is interested in my very rough translation of Tatiana Tarasova's commentary, which she gave during Gala, here it is.
She said that P/C have clearly better SD than V/M, they skate like noone, they understand latin music, their SD is a street dance.
About FD: Canadians have very good FD, we understand it, because we watched that movie, but in 2017 it is possibly (in her opinion) a negative moment, as we've already seen a lot of dances, which are based on famous movie characters; they took what was on the surface. The French team creates dances that allow to all viewers create their own image, their own understanding of the music and of the state of this two people. She said P/C's dances are like paintings which you paint for youself; it is like impressionists.

Any time you can translate what Tarasova says on P/C for me is great. Thank you very much!


(plus, she's right)

 

[maya1985]

If the competition was beautiful, some reactions are "à vomir". I hope with all my heart that they will not see these reactions. In French, there is an appropriate expression "c'est l'hôpital qui se fout de la charité"

 

[maya1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuynfxFxq5s

v cute interview in the middle of this......

His answer is clear , they are too cute:luv17:

 

[Anyasnake]

First of all, congratulations to Gabriella and Guillaume and to all their fans with great competition and with new title! Great job!

If someone is interested in my very rough translation of Tatiana Tarasova's commentary, which she gave during Gala, here it is.
She said that P/C have clearly better SD than V/M, they skate like noone, they understand latin music, their SD is a street dance.
About FD: Canadians have very good FD, we understand it, because we watched that movie, but in 2017 it is possibly (in her opinion) a negative moment, as we've already seen a lot of dances, which are based on famous movie characters; they took what was on the surface. The French team creates dances that allow to all viewers create their own image, their own understanding of the music and of the state of these two people. She said P/C's dances are like paintings which you paint for youself; it is like impressionists.

upd. And also she praised their ability to feel each other during every moment.

Whatever TAT says, I'm always up for it. The fact that she praises them is even better. Thank you so much for the Translation Iris81 !

And I also think she's right on certain point...

What do you have if you take reputation ? Beginning of the season : Apparently P/C have "bad SDs" hence cannot do Latin, also because it's not their style. Their SD pretty much cancelled that thought though. And the "versatility" thing that everyone seem to be running with (especially these days). in that case, how do you go from Ed Sheeran to Moonlight Sonata ? Yet they do it, and very very well. You cannot believe someone has a "versatility" issue, when it's what Short Dances are for.

 

[Anyasnake]

If the competition was beautiful, some reactions are "à vomir" (sorry but ...:noshake
This account is a shame ...https://twitter.com/ExposingPandC I hope with all my heart that they will not go to see on twitter

That's almost funny https://twitter.com/ExposingPandC/status/939599304691453954 ... I do not really see the problem ... (Caron should take pictures and encourage her dancers rather than being a judge). In French, there is an appropriate expression "c'est l'hôpital qui se fout de la charité"

Everyone, please ignore it or just report it, but try not to comment it ! These people can get in a lot of trouble, you cannot get involved ! Legally speaking, if insults starts, they could be fined, or worse.

I have to be honest, I didn't expect the rivalry to blow out of proportion that way. This is nuts, I've never seen anything like that before. It's sickening. Those VM ubers are from another planet, some of them didn't watch the competition beforehand, just the scores and placement and screamed "Scandal!". Come on.

 

[maya1985]

Everyone, please ignore it or just report it, but try not to comment it ! .

I do not comment anything but it bothers me that such comments appear... :noshake: (I was just saying what was happening on twitter:disagree: it is useless to answer to their comments)

 

[Anyasnake]

I do not comment anything but it bothers me that such comments appear... :noshake:

When you start to ignore it, the easier it becomes honestly. What's the point anyway, some are just to stubborn and some have a purpose of doing wrong.

So this is the commentary from CBC :

Here is the opening of CBC broadcast with an interview : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuynfxFxq5s
Gsquared FD : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUpXqSYwgcU
Broadcast ending with another small interview : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GXO36DOiY

Very biased of course . Someone noticed how everytime time you have the possibility to praise G², you need to add more to the Canadians. If I'm a Canadian watching this broadcast and I love T&S, I might think : The french are getting away with it and choose the easy road. I've noticed that because of some ubers rant, more and more people tend to do that, as if they're afraid. IMO, though. Any thoughts about this ?

Also, I noticed Kurt likes the French more and more, and this is maybe why he feels the need to add another layer of comparaison.

 

[Gotlev]

I just wonder when the moment is going to come that any of the pundits and commentators and hopefully Tessa and Scott themselves are going to say "Well, they just have the better program!"
I'm not going to hold my breath...

 

[Roast Toast]

Just let the crazies embarrass themselves on social media. It's not the first time -- and it certainly won't be the last -- that the V/M standom has thrown a tantrum. 27 million people enjoyed Gabi and Guillaume's Moonlight Sonata and that's a hell of a lot more important than a dozen idiots spamming a hashtag.

 

[alain06fr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuynfxFxq5s

v cute interview in the middle of this......

Thanks a lot for this very nice interview, I love it. This interview tells so much about them. Questioned by the Canadian TV and given V/M are second, Guillaume does not want to hurt hence he first says it's fine to be second as long as the gap with the first is tiny (which is almost the situation of V/M towards P/C). Then, in a second time, he finally admits he prefers to be first as it's "more confortable" and one can clearly sees he wants to be as polite and as nice as possible with the Canadian journalist.

Hilariously this prior to the competition statistic breakdownl shows V/M and P/C have won one gpf apiece. Err, spoiler......

It's not an error, it just shows how well the Canadian TV anticipated the FD outcome!

 

[peepsquick]

I may be one of Peepsquick's 3 nutcases here , but I don't live in the illusion that they heard me and made the change accordingly!
I think it was a quite obvious thing to do, and probably the plan already at some point but not fully integrated before. I can understand that they have so much to be aware of while skating, and that these kinds of things come last. I do agree that doing the element correctly is more important than this. But it surely adds to the magic when it is done on the beat!

Now IF they have time to read the fan fest: WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!! FEEL FREE TO MAKE THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO WATCH!!

Not even close, Gotlev!

 

[cocotaffy]

Well at least while commenting CoC, the brit commentator acknowledged with which ease they passed from Ed Sheeran to Beethoven, so that's a step towards recognising they're not just a one trick poney. Then we got Charlie White who said it was actually courageous of them to stick to their vision and not succumb to the pressure of changing it up every year in the FD while producing work of Art sufficiently different to the year before to stay fascinating. Because that is another attack: they are lazy, coasting it out or choosing the easy way with their FD, take your pick between those lovely arguments. But Charlie labelled that as courageous: thank you Charlie :agree: Then we have Ben Agosto who keep gushing about their edges to the point of making a rather suggestive noise while 2nd commenting their CoC performance. Finally, Mark Hanretty who actually thinks P/C have the best SS and labelled them as sublime while commenting in CoC or might have been IDF (oh no I need to rewatch ) Plus Tarasova has always been a huge supporter of P/C and thanks Iris81 (thanks a lot and feel free to translate any time :agree we know she thinks their SD is best. So it's not too bad.

 

[alain06fr]

I am curious as to what you meant when you said 'as Europeans are always tricky, believe me!'. If you don't mind elaborating (and if this is something you can explain in public), that would be great!

------- EC / WC 2016 --------------- EC / WC 2017 ------
SD. _70.74 / _76.29 +05.55 ----- _75.48 / _76.89 +1.51
FD. 111.97 / 118.17 +06.27 ----- 114.19 / 119.15 +4.96
ALL 182.71 / 194.46 +11.75 ----- 189.67 / 196.04 +6.37


Scores at Europeans are significantly lower compared to other competitions which of course creates more suspens as the first to be penalised by low scores are the top teams whose gap with the direct competitors gets really smaller. Believe me or not but last year in Ostrava, would P/C make a small mistake at the FD then they would have lost their European title. It turned out that C/L made a big mistake in the twizzles (which were still validated Lev4...) so P/C finally won with a small margin.

As you can see above, score differences between Europeans and Worlds are huge, really huge.

Based on this experience, I am very curious to see the scores in Moscow. We should expect low scores but we are in an olympic season and the ISU may ask for judgements on the same basis and in line with the Grand-Prix season to avoid sudden score drops 1 month only before the Olympics.

 

[icetigger]

2016 -------------------------- 2017 --------------------------
EC. WC. GAP. EC. WC. GAP
SD. 70 74. 76.29. + 5.55. 75.48 76.89. + 1.51
FD 111.97. 118.17. + 6.27 114.19 119.15. + 4.96
ALL. 182.71. 194.46. +11.75. 189.67 196.04. + 6.37


Scores at Europeans are significantly lower compared to other competitions which of course creates more suspens as the first to be penalised by low scores are the top teams whose gap with the direct competitors gets really smaller. Believe me or not but last year in Ostrava, would P/C make a small mistake at the FD then they would lost their European title. It turned out that C/L made a big mistake in the twizzles (which were still validated Lev4...) so P/C finally won with a small margin.

As you can see above, score differences between Europeans and Worlds are huge, really huge.

Based on this experience, I am very curious to see the scores in Moscow. We should expect low scores but we are in an olympic season and the ISU may ask for judgements on the same basis and in line with the Grand-Prix season to avoid sudden score drops 1 month only before the Olympics.

My take on Europeans is the same as Alains's. Europeans is a very tough competition where European countries fight out who will be the best couple for promotion at Worlds. 4CC by contrast usually has very high scores as it comes across as a "let us sell our skaters as much as possible before worlds" in a team effort( though this year 4cc will probably be just Gilles and Poirier and a tumbleweed......or something like that) Because P/C have so substantially placed themselves above all other European teams this season, we might not see so much of the former: Europeans may be more a battle between the Russians and the Italians; and we might see really high scores for P/C even so.

 

[Anyasnake]

Believe me or not but last year in Ostrava, would P/C make a small mistake at the FD then they would lost their European title. It turned out that C/L made a big mistake in the twizzles (which were still validated Lev4...) so P/C finally won with a small margin.

As you can see above, score differences between Europeans and Worlds are huge, really huge.

Based on this experience, I am very curious to see the scores in Moscow. We should expect low scores but we are in an olympic season and the ISU may ask for judgements on the same basis and in line with the Grand-Prix season to avoid sudden score drops 1 month only before the Olympics.

Euros last year seemed fishy for me though. I felt both P/C and B/S were penalized over C/L. Oh, well.

I like that it's in Russia though, because of the publicity/coverage (Oh, dear European timezone, I like you too.)
I think the same way Alain, same range of scores for everyone, maybe a boost for some (home inflation ? I would not be surprised to have 2 Russian teams on the podium).

Will you go Alain ?

 

[alain06fr]

Will you go Alain ?

Yep, I will be in Moscow from Jan 15 to 22 for the Europeans!

Sounds crazy but Gabriella and Guillaume could potentially win up to 8 European titles (Total since 2015) until 2022. Even 6 European crowns would be the very first time in ice dance history