2025 Grand Prix de France Free Dance

[norwegianfairytale]

On the topic of Guillaume, as someone who was always a fan/supporter of him with Gabby and who thought he was this legendary artist, this whole partnership with Laurence really has me questioning how great an artist he really is when he and his team have only resorted to trying to mold Laurence into Gabby and copy P/C choreography, costuming, and program styles instead of creating programs where both in the partnership have their own unique identity. Turns out Guillaume’s artistry is severely limited to only lyrical style programs and truly lacks versatility. It doesn’t make the skating and programs of F-B/C memorable. To echo Neve Campbell in “Scream 4”, “don’t fcuk with the original!”

Yeah the program works for his style and I can see why it get scored so high, but I really wished he was forced to do something else so that he couldn´t hide his weakness. Particular the lifts. And there is something extremely wrong with the scoring system when you can get such massive GOes on choreo elements because you cracked the code on style. Add on the reputation bonus he gets that is all they need, without probably not even workign as hard as other teams that stand no chance.

 

[Ichatdelune]

Turns out Guillaume’s artistry is severely limited to only lyrical style programs and truly lacks versatility.

This is apparent most when he choreographs, he can do very well within his comfort zone but go outside and it just falls flat. Prime example Chiba Mone's ditched Sakura Sakura SP

 

[museksk8r]

Very close. This could flip-flop over the rest of the season. Too close too call right now.

Cizeron fell in the RD here and the team lost 8 points as a result; I would be extremely shocked if that happens again. F-B/C are the chosen Europeans for the Olympic podium now.

 

[FSFan1999]

Very close. This could flip-flop over the rest of the season. Too close too call right now.

Guillame had a fall in the choreo step in the RD and they still won. Normally they would be nearly 8 points ahead. Of course, this GP is in france

 

[Andrina]

Turns out Guillaume’s artistry is severely limited to only lyrical style programs and truly lacks versatility.

He's been receiving the same feedback during his years with Gabi, too.

Virtue/Moir won their post-return Worlds in this style. Sinitsina got an olympic silver in this style. Without speaking of many others who literally copied this style with almost the same costumes and music.

I think Guillaume can afford using the style that he, Romain, and Marie-France made so popular.

 

[YuBluByMe]

I didn’t enjoy the event, but I also wasn’t particularly invested in any of the teams. I’m not getting the noise with the scoring for French and Italians team. I thought the French had the best FD by far and the Italians…I missed their skate, but will rewatch later. But it seems to me that this result was coming. They were off the podium at Worlds! They would’ve barely held on to bronze even if the French weren’t here!

 

[Karoltyna]

Duh, why do I even watch ice dance? Or why don't I just ignore the scoring part?

 

[IceDancingQueen]

Well that was a bit disappointing. I had hope yesterday when FBC were in 3rd place but it looks like we are going to be treated to a year where FBC get crazy high scores for their FD and end up winning everything like Gabby and Guillaume did which I personally found so boring (I’m not saying it’s not deserved, just that it makes the competitions boring). The last three years of competition have been interesting because eventhough Chock and Bates won all three worlds it still felt like G/F and G/P had a chance to win gold if they threw down two excellent skates. I’m not looking forward to another 4 years where FBC win everything and no one else has a chance - as others have said - they need to fix the lift scoring in the next quad cause Guillaume’s lifts are not on par with the others and should be judged accordingly- that might help to level up the playing field a bit. That said FBC are such strong skaters so it was kind of inevitable. Hopefully Chock Bates will give them proper competition. I guess Olympic bronze will be a fight between G/P, F/G and potentially G/F (if they can address the issues with their programmes) and S/D.

 

[slider11]

Wow....that was an interesting FD. I enjoyed elements of all the dances. The whale dance was enchanting and Laurence and Guillaume are striking together. But I must say that this is the first year that I was engaged with Lilah and Lewis' choice. So glad it was not disco-ish! The Scottish theme is definitely unique! I'm ok with the podium but I think Laurence and Guillaume did get a bit of a home-town bump.

 

[auser]

Very close. This could flip-flop over the rest of the season. Too close too call right now.

Isn't this what we love about watching skating? That it is about the performance on the day.

 

[museksk8r]

I think Guillaume can afford using the style that he, Romain, and Marie-France made so popular.

Yeah, I suppose they can, but understandably expect a lot of backlash from skating fans as a result.

 

[bramweld]

He's been receiving the same feedback during his years with Gabi, too.

Virtue/Moir won their post-return Worlds in this style. Sinitsina got an olympic silver in this style. Without speaking of many others who literally copied this style with almost the same costumes and music.

I think Guillaume can afford using the style that he, Romain, and Marie-France made so popular.

Funnily enough, while it's a comfortable genre for Gui, I do not see them as a copy; that was absolutely lovely. These two have more warmth and earthiness. Congrats to them.

 

[auser]

Duh, why do I even watch ice dance? Or why don't I just ignore the scoring part?

I know it is a sport but for the most part I watch for what I see as beauty and pay cursory attention to scores.

 

[IceDancingQueen]

On the topic of Guillaume, as someone who was always a fan/supporter of him with Gabby and who thought he was this legendary artist, this whole partnership with Laurence really has me questioning how great an artist he really is when he and his team have only resorted to trying to mold Laurence into Gabby and copy P/C choreography, costuming, and program styles instead of creating programs where both in the partnership have their own unique identity. Turns out Guillaume’s artistry is severely limited to only lyrical style programs and truly lacks versatility. It doesn’t make the skating and programs of F-B/C memorable. To echo Neve Campbell in “Scream 4”, “You forgot the first rule of remakes: Don't f**k with the original!”

This I totally agree with - Laurence and Nik skated to lots of different styles so this was a chance for Gui to show another side to himself but as you said it seems he is the one that can only do lyrical which actually makes me think Laurence is the stronger partner. It’s a shame they are not playing to her strengths - I think she did a wonderful job adapting to his lyrical style but she deserves more than just being Gabby 2.0. She was the one who really stood out in the RD to me. She has so much personality.

 

[EdgeCall]

Okay, I get you about the FD, although it's very much their style, but what is so extravagant about the RD ?

Well, it's certainly not as avangarde as the FD but the music choice and presentation I found already a bit daring. Refer to the forum comments for further details.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

I didn’t enjoy the event, but I also wasn’t particularly invested in any of the teams. I’m not getting the noise with the scoring for French and Italians team. I thought the French had the best FD by far and the Italians…I missed their skate, but will rewatch later. But it seems to me that this result was coming. They were off the podium at Worlds! They would’ve barely held on to bronze even if the French weren’t here!

I don´t think people disagree they had the best FD but they shouldn´t have won the FD with such a margin making them actually taking in the 8 points gap. It was rather unsetling to see those crazy GOE on the last elements, the judges must have pushed like 5 for some of those elements, which is maximum. Recieving 6 points for a element worth 1 point is crazy when others can do it brilliantly and not even get more then 2-3 points at best. That is how crazy ice dancing scoring has gotten. Winning on the PCS is fine for me, but it´s really the huge technical score that is problematic here when they didn´t really do half as much efforts as others.

This is like the highest FD in like in a lot of years and that on the first outing, it´s crazy

 

[Ares]

I don't want to derail this thread but why FB/C are clearly disliked here? Has Guillaume made some cocky statements in off-season or sth? Or do people not like returning olympic champions coming from a retirement? You can send me a link or something.

I agree they were a bit overscored today btw.

 

[cocteautwin]

On the topic of Guillaume, as someone who was always a fan/supporter of him with Gabby and who thought he was this legendary artist, this whole partnership with Laurence really has me questioning how great an artist he really is when he and his team have only resorted to trying to mold Laurence into Gabby and copy P/C choreography, costuming, and program styles instead of creating programs where both in the partnership have their own unique identity. Turns out Guillaume’s artistry is severely limited to only lyrical style programs and truly lacks versatility. It doesn’t make the skating and programs of F-B/C memorable. To echo Neve Campbell in “Scream 4”, “You forgot the first rule of remakes: Don't f**k with the original!”

My take is that Gabby was the soul of P/C team. He was always (and still is) very strong skater with extremely beautiful lines but she was the magic, she brought more character and charisma imo. Also, some charms are fading with time and that is ithe case with Gui for me. I used to like Gui for his soft side and musical sensibility that at the time made him stand out from the other male ice dancers but lately I don't get that feeling anymore cuase he gives me more of "a narcissist celebrating his beauty" vibe. Nothing wrong with celebrating sb's beauty but it's been a bit too much of it for me. The other thing is that the choreo that he's done for other skaters so far didn't impress me much as well.

 

[bramweld]

I don´t think people disagree they had the best FD but they shouldn´t have won the FD with such a margin making them actually taking in the 8 points gap. It was rather unsetling to see those crazy GOE on the last elements, the judges must have pushed like 5 for some of those elements, which is maximum. Recieving 6 points for a element worth 1 point is crazy when others can do it brilliantly and not even get more then 2-3 points at best. That is how crazy ice dancing scoring has gotten. Winning on the PCS is fine for me, but it´s really the huge technical score that is problematic here when they didn´t really do half as much efforts as others.

This is like the highest FD in like in a lot of years and that on the first outing, it´s crazy

But let's be honest, Ice Dance has been underwhelming these last 3 years without Cizeron. We've been feasting on what, Chock and Bates? Forgive the judges, they've gotten the first real taste of caviar in a while, and they got high. When the real top teams, C/B and G/P, roll in with their programs, things will get more interesting. Because let's face it, if the judges were being truly honest, G/F would be in 6th. The LeGacs were mesmerising in my eyes.

 

[ajingmarg]

Wow I can’t believe FBC got 133 in their first FD competition…looks like they will be fighting for gold after all…

Isn't that expected already?