Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron

[LaArdilla]

I can’t watch the practice videos right now, could you tell me how their knee sliding movement looks like?

 

[LaArdilla]

It's good, they both do the same thing side by side. First they go down on one knee sliding backwards, then make a full turn on both knees and go back up, all with beautiful arms. (Very basic explanation but it's good, don't worry)

Awesome, thanks! When done correctly, these movements can be really beautiful, but there is so much room for mistakes, too!

 

[Harriet]

I predict the curve lift will be a favourite. Not because it's different from their previous curve lifts (I always loved those and am not the biggest fan of these low leaning lifts) but because it looks like it actually fits the program. Yes, I got too invested in a criminally low quality video but hear me out (or let's discuss again in a few hours): it fits the song feeling and lyrics so well. It doesn't look like her leaning on him, it looks like they are laying down next to eachother, equal, willing to forgive and make peace ("All the anger will settle down") if only for a moment as the lift ends and then we go into the turbulent second part.

Agreed; there's a gorgeous, seamless transition into the lift that fits the flow of the music, and the face-to-face positioning of the lift reflects the mood of 'Duet' really well. Also, never mind 'curve' lift, it's a full circle and it's amazing - the control the both need to make it work! I think earlier speculation about two linked lifts as some teams have done (making up a total of four) was probably correct too; there's a second short lift right after the curve lift, after Gabi's blade touches the ice again and they go into the kneeling movement, which would make it a separate element I think?

 

[cocotaffy]

Looks like Gaby is as much impressed by the slowmo as we are, first time I see her post a video of them like this in her media https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqj5gMfBLyj/
BTW that twitter of their FD practice doesn't work anymore for me, is it the same for everyone ? Anyway we should see the whole thing soon enough now.

 

[Harriet]

The missing lift is actually the stationary! It's right at the start before the twizzles but for some reason it's not on the planned content list.

Ah, that's right! The fancy new one at the very start! Thank you, my brain completely skipped over the fact that that wasn't on the list!

 

[brushalley]

What about the spin ? please tell me it's different:sarcasm:

 

[Harriet]

They didn't do the spin during the run-through, sorry.

 

[Gotlev]

Live streams:
https://www.eurovisionsports.tv/isu/figure-skating/#
https://ok.ru/live/1361532821011

 

[Eleanor]

Silly me...Trying to watch the live on the iSU website. Learning that it's geoblocked....
Discovering that it's on televison ahahaahah

 

[Bcash]

Lol I see people saying that Guillaume’s shirt is so meshy it’s one big step toward shirtlessness.

 

[Gotlev]

Silk in motion
Poor Victoria and Nikita

 

[Harriet]

Having seen the program in full now, I really like it. It's so cohesive - there are mood changes, but they flow naturally into each other and make the dance into a story, and everything just fits. It's a first look at the next stage in their development and they've presented it really well. I'm looking forward to watching it with better camerawork at Euros!

 

[alpaca]

Holy moly that score is insane. Wow!!!

 

[oakandbirch]

I don't like the FD, it's like one of their exhibitions. Bad choice of music.

I love their RD. It's very well constructed, clear, very good choice of music that enhances their qualities, choreography suiting well the music etc Masterpiece from Christopher Dean.

 

[Spot]

Once more trying to edit on my phone ends up deleting my post, haha. Anyway was just saying that what I saw was glorious but the ISU stream was not great for me. I need to watch again for the fuller experience of another masterpiece.

 

[Bcash]

So the PCS in the new system isn’t getting any bigger multiplier? Then it’s more purely a levels game.

 

[oat]

Wow, just wow and with a bad camera work
I prefer the second part

 

[Roast Toast]

I mean... They are just untouchable even if I don't connect with the music quite as much as I have with their FDs in the past. Their skating is just so seamless, their elements so polished. That curve lift I thought they would topple over.

Compared to the RD which has room to grow, what is there even to improve here? Gaby can do her individual steps a little cleaner, their first lift could be a little faster, and??? I guess they could skate their DiSt with a little more commitment??

 

[Bcash]

I don't like the FD, it's like one of their exhibitions. Bad choice of music.

I love their RD. It's very well constructed, clear, very good choice of music that enhances their qualities, choreography suiting well the music etc Masterpiece from Christopher Dean.

The start of the FD looks a little exhibition-y to me from that grainy vid but I have to watch the whole thing in proper to have any judgement.

 

[Gotlev]

Victoria and Nikita did that super well in my opinion. Coming after such a bomb was not easy.

I am a titbit disappointed with GG's FD. Yes, it's super beautiful. Yes, the lifts are great. Yes, they are incredible as ever. So what am I fuzzbutting about? It's not very innovative, I don't find it as dramatic or daring or avant-garde as they owe to themselves to be. Somehow, I find it a bit safe, not shocking. I really hope they will try to bring really dramatic programs in the coming years.

Obviously, it's still fabulous and so utterly beautiful to see that silk flowing over the ice. So yea. Grateful but not as much as I expected to be.

You can kick me off the forum now.

EDIT: Yes, it feels very much like their exhibition programs. Which is good, but well... not surprising, not blowing me away.