2025 Grand Prix de France Free Dance

[lariko]

I didn't really watch P/C, though I heard of them. So, I guess I am also in a minority.

 

[Kitt]

I wonder why the judges don't want Piper and Paul "to be those stars". For me, it was very disappointing that they did not win for Wuthering Heights and also Vincent. I am a big fan of theirs and can't wait to see them at Skate Canada.

 

[lariko]

I wonder why the judges don't want Piper and Paul "to be those stars". For me, it was very disappointing that they did not win for Wuthering Heights and also Vincent. I am a big fan of theirs and can't wait to see them at Skate Canada.

I dunno either. They skated gorgeously in Montreal and totally looked like Team 1. If they can't make it, how the teams that came from juniors can do, I dunno. Like, in other disciplines, they can show up with top tech and break through the ranks. Sometimes even in their first year. But how do you up the tech in the dance? It's all about levels.

 

[TontoK]

I agree

I agree but I am not sure about the Shibs. (as part of the team event)

OMG, that's it. That's why they're returning. They want that Team Event gold so they can be Olympic Champions (unlike others, I do respect the Team Event, just as I do relays in swimming and track and field). Their two main rivals earned that distinction in Beijing (although they had to wait for it), and they're odd man out. I find that wildly amusing because they famously hogged the dance spots the previous cycle.

My hopes in order: They abandon this comeback. They don't make the Olympic team. They make it, but CPom skate the second segment. They make it but C/B return the favor and skate both segments.

 

[4everchan]

OMG, that's it. That's why they're returning. They want that Team Event gold so they can be Olympic Champions (unlike others, I do respect the Team Event, just as I do relays in swimming and track and field). Their two main rivals earned that distinction in Beijing (although they had to wait for it), and they're odd man out. I find that wildly amusing because they famously hogged the dance spots the previous cycle.

My hopes in order: They abandon this comeback. They don't make the Olympic team. They make it, but CPom skate the second segment. They make it but C/B return the favor and skate both segments.

the USA doesn't need them to skate either segment. if they should split a discipline, it's women. They could also split pairs because well.. it may be the right thing to do... why split dance when you can get all these points from Chock and Bates ?

 

[jersey1302]

3 judges flagged the music for violation but there was no deduction for the Italins

I did read in the ISU rule book that a music violation does result in a minimum one point deduction per segment but in some cases there can be more, of music that was flagged. However on the score sheet it does say no deductions under deductions ..I’m wondering how that works if it’s flagged can there be no deduction or does if there isn’t does it lower GOE? Ugh ice dance protocol is so confusing to me lol

 

[4everchan]

I did read in the ISU rule book that a music violation does result in a minimum one point deduction per segment but in some cases there can be more, of music that was flagged. However on the score sheet it does say no deductions under deductions ..I’m wondering how that works if it’s flagged can there be no deduction or does if there isn’t does it lower GOE? Ugh ice dance protocol is so confusing to me lol

I don't recall the rules perfectly but I think you need a majority of judges to get a real deduction.

 

[jersey1302]

I don't recall the rules perfectly but I think you need a majority of judges to get a real deduction.

I didn’t see anything about needing a certain amount of judges. But that explains the 3/10. It says a 2.0 deduction for music requirements in ice dance only. It doesn’t give a further explanation except citing other rules in other paragraphs that lead back basically to the original rule I stated so it’s very confusing. It’s on page 19 of the ISU rule handbook

 

[rain]

I wonder why the judges don't want Piper and Paul "to be those stars". For me, it was very disappointing that they did not win for Wuthering Heights and also Vincent. I am a big fan of theirs and can't wait to see them at Skate Canada.

Even if they don't top the podium I still think Piper and Paul and their programs will be remembered as a historically significant team. They have such a long career of both excellent and innovative work. The fix was so blatant and unfair in Montreal, I'm still not over it. I beg to differ with all those who say the last three years have been lacklustre in ice dance. I've seen a wealth of incredible talent, not necessarily always those finishing at the top, but top 15 in the world is absolutely stacked and there have been a lot of memorable programs.

 

[ice coverage]

I don't recall the rules perfectly but I think you need a majority of judges to get a real deduction.

I didn’t see anything about needing a certain amount of judges. But that explains the 3/10. It says a 2.0 deduction for music requirements in ice dance only. It doesn’t give a further explanation except citing other rules in other paragraphs that lead back basically to the original rule I stated so it’s very confusing. It’s on page 19 of the ISU rule handbook

See p. 2 of ISU's " DEDUCTION CHART (Rhythm Dance and Free Dance) – Who is Responsible" for the voting that would be necessary for a music deduction to be applied. Emphasis added:

" The deduction is applied according to the opinion of the majority of the Panel which includes all the Judges and the Referee. No deduction in case of a 50:50 split vote. ..."

https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.az...sibleJUNIORSENIOR013829500_17327128482952.pdf​

 

[ramurphy2005]

the USA doesn't need them to skate either segment. if they should split a discipline, it's women. They could also split pairs because well.. it may be the right thing to do... why split dance when you can get all these points from Chock and Bates ?

Splitting pairs is never going to happen.

I think it's more likely that men and women split than dance right now, even with the way the timing of how the team event and dance event work out.

 

[4everchan]

Splitting pairs is never going to happen.

I think it's more likely that men and women split than dance right now, even with the way the timing of how the team event and dance event work out.

I could see KO doing the SP but not the LP because there are twice as many tricks to land...and Chan and Howe may score better in the LP... However, it also depends on the vision of the fed : if they want to win, they don't split anything but the women. If they want to reward skaters with a medal, then, splitting the men may be nice for Jason Brown for instance.

 

[jersey1302]

See p. 2 of ISU's " DEDUCTION CHART (Rhythm Dance and Free Dance) – Who is Responsible" for the voting that would be necessary for a music deduction to be applied. Emphasis added:

" The deduction is applied according to the opinion of the majority of the Panel which includes all the Judges and the Referee. No deduction in case of a 50:50 split vote. ..."​

​

https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.az...sibleJUNIORSENIOR013829500_17327128482952.pdf​

Wow great find. I couldn’t find that chart. Ok so now I’m more perplexed. How was the score that low? I’m trying to be very objective. I will admit I feel like in years past they were very over scored but not the last year or two as much. These programs imo are a step back for them. I wasn’t heavily into either. I thought both were slow and stiff. So are judges scoring now based on true scoring in what it always should have been because there’s a new ISU constitution and we have just been subject to the judges over scoring them?

 

[4everchan]

Wow great find. I couldn’t find that chart. Ok so now I’m more perplexed. How was the score that low? I’m trying to be very objective. I will admit I feel like in years past they were very over scored but not the last year or two as much. These programs imo are a step back for them. I wasn’t heavily into either. I thought both were slow and stiff. So are judges scoring now based on true scoring in what it always should have been because there’s a new ISU constitution and we have just been subject to the judges over scoring them?

I doubt it's about the Constitution... Probably more about the need to drop a European contender now that FBC are into the mix

 

[saine]

Wow great find. I couldn’t find that chart. Ok so now I’m more perplexed. How was the score that low? I’m trying to be very objective. I will admit I feel like in years past they were very over scored but not the last year or two as much. These programs imo are a step back for them. I wasn’t heavily into either. I thought both were slow and stiff. So are judges scoring now based on true scoring in what it always should have been because there’s a new ISU constitution and we have just been subject to the judges over scoring them?

On the Anything GOEs recap, Louise Walden had a point that if the judges were noticing the potential music requirements violation (3/10 in this case), that would affect how they would score the program. They were also one of the two teams who hadn't competed before this event, Bratti/Somerville being the other. The other teams had gotten feedback on their music and made changes based on it. Davis/Smolkin changed their music very quickly after feedback that it didn't meet the music requirements.

I understand them being frustrated with their scores. But posting Instagram stories of fans complaining about the judging being political in the middle of the competition is not going to get the judges on their side. It would make them look like they are not wanting to take the feedback in the eyes of the judges.

 

[FSFan1999]

Here is my take:

Brits are too young, they have at least two Games in front of them, they will get their medals.

Lewis is 31. Next olympics he'll be 35. If he stayed for 2 more olympics he'd be 39. I wouldn't say he's planning to go for 2 more games....

 

[amanda b]

I wasn't feeling it unfortunately. Last year was weird but this Free Dance is like too ... plain, hard to believe this is their program for an Olympic Season and the Olympics being held in their country.

I was struck by the presentational contrast between G/F and D/S. Diana had some wonderful and subtle arm movements, plus a gorgeous dress. By comparison G/F seemed dated and wooden. To be honest I've always found them boring - with the exception of the free dance a few years ago (the one with the black outfits, edgy music and a much darker theme), but given their technical skills it seems a shame they aren't being packaged a bit better.

 

[sofiaidfan]

I was struck by the presentational contrast between G/F and D/S. Diana had some wonderful and subtle arm movements, plus a gorgeous dress. By comparison G/F seemed dated and wooden. To be honest I've always found them boring - with the exception of the free dance a few years ago (the one with the black outfits, edgy music and a much darker theme), but given their technical skills it seems a shame they aren't being packaged a bit better.

That's your opinion. I think G/F free dance is magical and I want watch their free dance again and again, but D/S free dance for me is boring

 

[Stephine]

From a sports-political perspective, a very interesting competition.
You can think what you will of the result, but FBC had a very strong first performance. Their charisma on the ice was in a class of its own. It doesn't speak well for ice dancing in recent years that they were able to at least keep up with the others with such ease (as a new couple and after such a long break).

The Italians didn't do themselves any favors with their behavior. If you're not satisfied with a score, you should get feedback from the jury and not stir up fans on social media. That speaks volumes about poor sportsmanship.

 

[Ruthypegs]

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.

I wouldn't rule out Alison and Saulius for the bronze - they've started the season really well and have already beaten F/G in the free dance (at the Bolero Cup).