Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha have ended their partnership

[4everchan]

Coaches cannot do all the heavy lifting. Fans who love Zac and Marjorie maybe should take some time out for a marathon of LaLa performance vids, and get the tears out and crying binge done. Reading what Romain had to say gave me a greater understanding of the reasons behind the split. Even Romain did not want them to split. There's a lot of human stuff going on that can be instructive if we take a step back and cease trying to assess blame. Romain clearly pointed out that coaches can only do so much to help, and that it was the independent natures of both Z & M which had them struggling to make artistic choices in a unified and beneficial way.

At the end of the day, Zac & Marjo made the career choice they felt was best for them, and they did not decide hastily. And they apparently still respect and love each other.
Hugs to you @4everchan

I agree that it's not only the coaching team that has to work hard to make it work... but I am also aware, as I do coach myself, that there is a big part of responsibility when having such promising talents. Their programs the last seasons were simply not good and we will never know how the discussions really went when it was time to select these programs.

At this point, Romain's words are indeed instructive and make sense... but we didn't need to reach that no-return point. That's only my opinion from on outside perspective. I have followed LaLa since junior years, I think I was the first one calling them LaLa on this site.... so yes, they are special skaters for me. There are only 3 seasons where I felt they had decent material. That says a lot... Weaker skaters got ahead of them with better programs. At some point, joy and confidence will leave the athletes if the material is not working out.

In any case,what is done is done. I hope I will be able to enjoy them as much in their new partnerships. I actually like Laurence and Guillaume better in their new partnership than in their previous ones (sue me you all) so who knows ?

 

[moonvine]

You mean Kaitlin Hawayek. Kaitlyn Weaver spells her first name with a 'y.'

I fell in love with Kaitlin and Jean-Luc from juniors onward. It was so hard seeing them forced to end their career together, largely due to injuries.

You’re right and I know this. Ugh
I have a cat named after her. I know how to spell her name.

 

[4everchan]

I will add one more thing :
considering Fabbri-Ayer, Gauthier-Thieren, LaLa, Lim-Quan (and Hensen-Lickers also at IAM but in LONDON) all have split : what are the coaches for all these IAM teams saying ? We heard Romain's reasoning for LaLa but what about the other teams ? Was it also because they all had such different styles and personalities ?

I have a like dislike relationship with IAM :
1) I believe that they manage to make their teams different... it's not one size fits all training.
2) I dislike the suspected because apparent lobbying done with the judges

So : if they are truly experts at making shine every single couple, why did they didn't succeed with some of their most talented teams ?

That's why I am especially disappointed with LaLa's split...

 

[Ladskater]

"Say it ain't so Joe"...I am at a loss for words. They're one of my favourite ice dance teams. With Piper and Paul possibly moving on It won't be the same. I wish them the best no matter where their next journey takes them.

 

[Joan1940]

I will add one more thing :
considering Fabbri-Ayer, Gauthier-Thieren, LaLa, Lim-Quan (and Hensen-Lickers also at IAM but in LONDON) all have split : what are the coaches for all these IAM teams saying ? We heard Romain's reasoning for LaLa but what about the other teams ? Was it also because they all had such different styles and personalities ?

I have a like dislike relationship with IAM :
1) I believe that they manage to make their teams different... it's not one size fits all training.
2) I dislike the suspected because apparent lobbying done with the judges

So : if they are truly experts at making shine every single couple, why did they didn't succeed with some of their most talented teams ?

That's why I am especially disappointed with LaLa's split...

I am also not a fan of IAM, too many teams to coach & all these breakups. I always wondered how Chock/Bates felt when Cizeron came back to compete & continue to train with IAM.

 

[4everchan]

I am also not a fan of IAM, too many teams to coach & all these breakups. I always wondered how Chock/Bates felt when Cizeron came back to compete & continue to train with IAM.

I didn't care so much about that... In some ways, many expect CB to retire after 2022 and they kept going. For me, it's all about beating the best teams if one wants to win it all. But all these splits now...it makes me wonder

 

[IceDancingQueen]

I read the article with Roman and I couldn't understand so many things, like as a coach how can you allow your athletes to go down this trajectory for 2 years. Ultimately, this seems like such an immature reason to split! The coaches should have put their foot down in this situation, end of story.

I'm honestly very disappointed.

To me it sounds like he and the other coaches did try but ultimately Zak and Marjorie couldn’t agree on the pieces of music they wanted to skate to or the type of couple they wanted to be. This to me explains why their programmes have been so mismatched the last couple of years. I can see Zak wanting to skate to more classical pieces whereas maybe Marjorie wanted to try some more upbeat pieces again like they did with Rio and Queen and they just couldn’t agree. I could also see Marjo wanting to skate to something more unique and creative along the lines of Olivia and Tim’s Dune FDs. Romain even said he didn’t agree with their decision to split so it really does seem like they are fundamentally wanting to go in different directions as skaters and artists and they couldn’t bridge the gap. It totally sucks for us all and I really wish they weren’t throwing away 15 years of partnership but if neither were finding joy in their programmes together anymore then I can see why they have made this choice.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Olivia Smart has a podcast on YouTube. She recently posted to give an update on her off-season so far, plus her wedding planning plans. She's witty, down-to-earth, and refreshing. She was invited to attend New York Bridal Fashion Week and her friend, Jason Chan, attended with her. Olivia explained why she and Jean-Luc have decided to marry in Summer 2028.

I mention this recent podcast here because Olivia acknowledged off-season split drama in pairs and ice dance. Of course, she did not reveal anything that she knows, but it's worth listening to how she referenced the drama without giving away any personal knowledge she is aware of, as Jean-Luc's significant other.

As well, Loïcia Demougeot posted a touching season wrap-up with a P.S. stating that she and Théo have no plans to break up, and asking for speculation on the topic to stop.

I was not sure about the rules regarding skaters and releases when they haven't competed for many years. I was surprised to learn that a skater coming back to compete and desiring to switch countries after being out of competition for over a year or longer, still must be released by the federation they actively competed for in ISU competition previously, no matter how long ago. So, a release must happen, but I don't think a year's wait time is required for someone who has been inactive competitively for three years.

 

[4everchan]

^the release must happen but they can enter the circuit right away because their one season blackout period is done.

^^ a fed holding to an athlete who has been inactive for very long would look awfully bad so indeed, the release could be very quick. We have seen examples between France and Canada of quick releases. I don't know what the USA would do here. We will find out very soon.

 

[isamar]

To me it sounds like he and the other coaches did try but ultimately Zak and Marjorie couldn’t agree on the pieces of music they wanted to skate to or the type of couple they wanted to be. This to me explains why their programmes have been so mismatched the last couple of years. I can see Zak wanting to skate to more classical pieces whereas maybe Marjorie wanted to try some more upbeat pieces again like they did with Rio and Queen and they just couldn’t agree. I could also see Marjo wanting to skate to something more unique and creative along the lines of Olivia and Tim’s Dune FDs. Romain even said he didn’t agree with their decision to split so it really does seem like they are fundamentally wanting to go in different directions as skaters and artists and they couldn’t bridge the gap. It totally sucks for us all and I really wish they weren’t throwing away 15 years of partnership but if neither were finding joy in their programmes together anymore then I can see why they have made this choice.

I think the idea that Zach wanted to skate classical dances and Marjorie wanted more modern versions isn't entirely accurate. The 2023/2024 season was a compromise: RD Thriller was Zach's idea, but FD Roses wanted Marjorie. And they had to persuade Romain.

 

[4everchan]

I think the idea that Zach wanted to skate classical dances and Marjorie wanted more modern versions isn't entirely accurate. The 2023/2024 season was a compromise: RD Thriller was Zach's idea, but FD Roses wanted Marjorie. And they had to persuade Romain.

At the same time, Roses is not classical music. I am a classically trained pianist and I dislike this kind of music very much... and I love Thriller LOL... I wonder if Zach really liked Roses. I don't think Marjorie would hate Thriller.

That was the last year they had good programs.

 

[4everchan]

BTW. does anyone know to which piece of J.S. Bach they were planning to skate to ? This was supposed to be their Olympic FD... but they nixed it. I am very curious about what they had chosen.

 

[isamar]

BTW. does anyone know to which piece of J.S. Bach they were planning to skate to ? This was supposed to be their Olympic FD... but they nixed it. I am very curious about what they had chosen.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Air on the G string.

 

[4everchan]

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Air on the G string.

That would have been beautiful, especially the Air on the G string. Now I am crying again

 

[cocofeliz]

I happened to notice Zach follows Nikolai Sorensen on insta and Marjorie follows the former Connecticut skater who accused him of rape. I can definitely appreciate how they grew apart as a team.
Also in this video https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSpsvWZAPkD/?igsh=ZnhydWgxMDU5aWx1
you can tell they are not really in sync with each other.
It’s too bad- but I do believe they have made the correct decision to separate.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

A lot of skaters follow different accounts on IG. Few people micromanage their follows on IG after liking and clicking. Those who do carefully curate and clean-up their sm accounts, many kudos!!!

To equate, associate, or blame variances in sm follows to character differences and personal conflicts in an athletic partnership is a huge stretch, IMHO.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Also in this video https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSpsvWZAPkD/?igsh=ZnhydWgxMDU5aWx1
you can tell they are not really in sync with each other.

Pardon moi, ne parlez pas Français très bien, par contre:

Zac et Marjo seem to be having fun in a harmless fluff p.r. skit. I mean, fr!

ETA:

 

[4everchan]

They are having fun. I am not sure why would anyone think otherwise from that video.

 

[cocofeliz]

They are having fun but their answers were not in sync which is weird for a longstanding team

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

They are having fun but their answers were not in sync which is weird for a longstanding team

You might feel that way or describe variances in answers by a long time team as 'wierd.' But honestly, such variances in answers to a fun quiz can just be attributable to their differing personalities, and not an indication of them not being' in sync,' whatever you mean by 'in sync.' Plenty of duos exhibit funny differences in p.r. skits like this.

We already know that Zac & Marjo have uniquely different personalities. Yet, they are not the only team with opposing personalities who have had difficulty making mutual decisions about programs. Regarding this fluff piece, the most important takeaway, IMO, is that it's lighthearted fun, and thus shouldn't be taken overly seriously.