Duhamel, Radford fire coach

4everchan said:

i wonder how many of you have seen D/R live. They are fast, powerful, completely in synch and engaged. You don't like their attempt at doing something more traditional? Fine... at least, they tried to push themselves into a softer more lyrical zone and IMHO it's already paying off. Be reassured next year : both of their programs are within their strength as they are bringing back a revamped version of their glorious Muse LP.

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LRK said:

I did like their long, as I've said before; and I know I'm one of the few who did. I also thought it was a nice contrast to their short, which was far more dynamic (and which I also liked) - sadly, I never saw either skated to potential.

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bevybean said:

I thought D/R's LP for 2016-17 was an attempt to do something more in the "traditional" pairs style and I didn't like it. I especially noticed that Meagan's costume just didn't seem to suit her at all. While I understand a need to push your comfort zone or try a new style, I think this pair has been around long enough to have done that. So, knowing it is their final season, I hope to see them do something that suits them. Sure, they want to go for medals, but why not go out doing something you really enjoy?

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4everchan said:

the long was only skated well once... in the souvenir georges-ethier ( a small summer competition) have you seen it?

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Skater Boy said:

If she really cared to go the mainstream there are a few simple things she could do. Not saying she should. Wear flowy sleeves and skirts. And since she cut her hair again - get extensions and let it flow. If she continues work on dance and lines she will match Radford better. Not everyone was made to be the pretty princess and romantic couples. Look at Gabby and Guillaume. They have chemistry but no romantic vibe at all. He is like an artist with his stares and dancer build.

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4everchan said:

Here it is...

i loved the music so i was biased towards the program... but i can see why people didn't love it as they were indeed more at ease in their previous 2 LPS.

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LRK said:

Thank you - Really nice to see.

(There's a flowing, dream-like quality to it, I think. I'm not sure if "unworldly" or "otherworldly" is exactly the right word, but something like that. Maybe that is why the mistakes, when they crop up, are more noticeable, as they disturb that... serenity, and make people think of it as a "bad" program? I don't know - or maybe I've just got different taste than most people. ETA - There is also an Epic feel to it - and I love Epic. )

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bobbob said:

So Meagan and Eric are basically screwing over everyone currently working with Gauthier and Marcotte by forcing them to choose one or the other. Or are Gauthier and Marcotte still working together but just not with them? Still a very awkward situation. If the former is true, in many cases the skater(s) will have to change rinks and training environments too... this is not just about them or their Olympic quest at this point...there are probably (including non elite pairs) dozens of skaters affected by this one change, just because of their unwillingness to share a rink with Richard Gauthier... Why don't they continue as is WHILE adding on Zimmerman and Kerr... I see no conflict. Or just go with Zimmerman and Kerr, Bruno will understand... This seems like a sensible change in theory but the way it is being done seems extremely messy and selfish, in my opinion.

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4everchan said:

sigh.. why assuming the worst case scenario first instead of the most logical one or simply reading about it?

marcotte and gauthier are still working together and will continue doing so.

marcotte coaches singles at a different rink and that's where D/R will be relocating. 20 big minutes away from their previous rink.

they are doing it exactly because it's simple enough and doesn't affect anyone else.

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bobbob said:

Hmm...I'm not sure which is true because there are conflicting ideas as I read through this forum. I still don't understand why they are "firing" Richard Gauthier--so they want one less person helping them? They can go to Zimmerman and Kerr either way. If I were advising them, I would suggest a change of head coach because I don't think too much will be changed without changing the head coach. Maybe there's more to the story than we know. Maybe change in terms of skating is not what they are going for though, their motives seem unclear. She did post on twitter something to the effect of "If you don't know the whole story, and you don't, please don't judge" so I'm guessing there's more to it than we are thinking.

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4everchan said:

Here it is...

i loved the music so i was biased towards the program... but i can see why people didn't love it as they were indeed more at ease in their previous 2 LPS.

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CanadianSkaterGuy said:

I think in some cases, one partner will be unlikely to match the elegance or artistry/expression of their counterpart. To me, D/R is an anomaly because usually it's the lady who is the "artistic" one and the guy who is more of the "workhorse" of the pair (see: Stolbova/Klimov, Savchenko/Massot, Yu/Zhang). I do appreciate Sui/Han and James/Cipres for complementing each other more, but more than that, I appreciate the diversity of pairs teams and them not all having the same style (or pretty flowy dress / flowing haircut).

Meagan would look super odd in a flowy dress and extensions. And I think they want to win being themselves - hence the lack of warhorses or trying to look like the classic pairs team.

On a related note, when Bourne/Kraatz won their World title I was excited, but kind of upset that they changed their style to suit the judges to win it with a more European style. I mean, they had to - it was either conform and win or don't confirm and lose. I also felt the same about Asada with her Masquerade Waltz in 2010, which was wayyy to heavy for her, and came across as an attempt to put on a persona and pander to the judges' tastes. I do like though, that things have changed and the judges (and skaters!) are opening themselves up to newer styles, which is why we see skaters like P/C winning, and greater diversity in program choices. Of course, half the field will revert in an Olympic year and either go back to previously successful programs (like D/R are planning to) or choose warhorses that they know will appeal to the judges.

Bottom line: D/R have shown they can win being themselves, so (win or lose) hopefully they will put out an Olympic performance that is truly reflective of themselves and on their own terms.

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WeakAnkles said:

You want heavy? Try Asada and Bells of Moscow. That's heavy duty heavy.

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