T&D were consistently making masterpieces after their amateur career and were performing at a high level before 1994. In fact, some people argue that their professional programs were better, i.e. Encounter. The field in 1994 wasn't as deep and demanding as now. I actually thought they deserved the gold in 1994. Their OD was masterful and was easily 1st. G&P's only saving grace was their awesome speed that was skated to an easier program, while T&D's program, though hammy, had intricate handholds, evolving lifts, but unfortunately had a lift deemed illegal which got them a heavy deduction and cost them the gold.
Olympia has a great point - T&D skated consistently at the highest levels ever since they started skating in the 70s. They never stopped. A&P were not the geniuses T&D were. People actually thought T&D were the greatest ice dancers of all time even in 1994 and thought they had a legitimate chance to win again. A&P's comeback has been met with nothing but derision and mockery, with a few exceptions.
Annissina and Piezerat were never on that level, though.
I spent several days after the 1994 ice dance finals wondering what possessed Christopher Dean to add an obviously illegal lift (I think he flipped Torvill over his head) when they had won the rhumba and were in contention for the gold. Drat! But their reputation didn't need the burnish of an extra OGM. They've done just fine holding on to their spot as one of the greatest couples ever.
....Annissina and Piezerat were never on that level, though, and I don't know what it is they think they can add to French team competition. Ah, well, it's not in our hands.
Dean said it was illegal for a man to lift a woman over his shoulders but because the rules didn't say the woman couldn't vault over his shoulders by her own momentum the move was legal! Torvil was only assisted below the shoulder.
I was there at the OWG in 1994. T&D were upset over the judging at Euros, even though they won, so they totally restructured their FD. But what they did was retool it to become "the best of T&D" using many of their "tricks" from past programs throughout their career. Plus their CDs were slow with visible errors and even their FD was SLOW. Their OD was by far their best performance.
I was there at the OWG in 1994. T&D were upset over the judging at Euros, even though they won, so they totally restructured their FD. But what they did was retool it to become "the best of T&D" using many of their "tricks" from past programs throughout their career. Plus their CDs were slow with visible errors and even their FD was SLOW. Their OD was by far their best performance.
Dean's argument is too lawyerly and obscure, rendering it fallacious. It's a supposed loophole that he found, but it's no loophole at all to the naked eye. As long as she goes OVER his head and shoulders, that's illegal. It doesn't matter whether whether she was lifted or that she had to jump over him herself. It's far too acrobatic.
The ice dancers were at a disadvantage that year because the judges decided that they could only use music that people dance to. So the innovative programs such as Klimova/Ponomarenko's Bach program and Usova/Zhulin's Vivaldi program (if I recall correctly) done in 1992 were no longer a possibility. This is how Torvill and Dean ended up with Fred and Ginger (mind you, Fred Astaire is one of my favorite dancers ever) and Grishchuk/Platov performed to Rock Around the Clock. G/P adapted and made their speed work for them, but for Torvill and Dean it was a considerable step backward, and I'm sure they chafed at the limitations. By 1998 that rule was modified, but it was too late for Jayne and Chris. I'm sure if the music had been less stringently regulated, we would have seen something considerably more inventive from them.
I agree that the T/D lift certainly appeared illegal, and to me was rightfully judged illegal -- but then, G/P danced apart for a length of time that was supposed to be penalized (more than 10 seconds, or some such -- I don't remember the specifics), but wasn't -- which was also hotly discussed in the media right after.
I loved T/D's dances at that Olys. And I thought G/P were fast but a titch sloppy-looking, just to me. But really, like TontoK, they just weren't dancers I enjoyed watching, so I was always a bit prone not to like their programs.
I can't imagine them getting better pcs than p/b! P/b are obvious and clearly number 1. And then if a/p do have technical deficiency the pcs isn't going to save them! Not over both a SD and fd.
I was there at the OWG in 1994. T&D were upset over the judging at Euros, even though they won, so they totally restructured their FD. But what they did was retool it to become "the best of T&D" using many of their "tricks" from past programs throughout their career. Plus their CDs were slow with visible errors and even their FD was SLOW. Their OD was by far their best performance.
Dream on. Why would the French fed. consider a second rate team who could never come close to winning a major title, and managed only 1 bronze at Worlds the last 3 years despite being supposed to finish 3rd over a super weak field (after the first two) each time as their number 1 over a dominant team who won all the major titles and is an Olympic Champion. Marina and Gwendal return in good shape the French will give them full backing as number 1.
Sorry for interrupting the discussion. Since I don't have enough time to read the whole thread, let me allow to ask you a question: Is it true that Marina IS serious on her comeback? Really? Or just a rumor...
Anissina said she and Dzhigurda met with Didier Gailhaguet, the president of the French Ice Sports Federation, last winter to discuss the possibility of her and Peizerat once again competing. She said the team has an offer from the French federation and the French ministry of sports to participate in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
All that exist are her statements of wanting to compete in Russia and talking with Gwendel and her other statements. She could be serious but it Might never get off the ground and if it doesn't get off the ground that doesn't mean she wasn't serious.
doris pulaski said:She said the team has an offer from the French federation and the French ministry of sports to participate in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.