Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha have ended their partnership | Page 5 | Golden Skate

Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha have ended their partnership

ManyCairns said:
Wow!! That is really intriguing! Wow!
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I am super-excited that Jean-Luc will be back competing - he's one of my all-time favourite male ice-dancers.

However, I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't decide to skate for GB (he has citizenship).

Edit: or maybe they could skate for GB - he does have citizenship after all. Not sure how it would work for Marjorie changing countries though.
 
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Here's a link to the Romain Haguenauer print interview with U.S.-based Russian journalist, Maya Bagriantseva:

Romain Hagenauer on the Lajoie/Lagha split: "They were like brother and sister, and they were a bit stuck in that pattern" - Maya Bagriantseva

Romain Hagenauer on the Lajoie/Lagha split: "They were like brother and sister, and they were a bit stuck in that pattern"
mskating.com mskating.com

I find Romain to be quite honest, very straightforward and fair-minded in his reflections. He's not throwing anyone under the bus. Neither is he trying to deflect responsibility as a coach. He even says that he didn't want to see them split but that he understood the fundamental reason why they did. I have seen some fans misinterpreting and unfortunately mischaracterizing comments from this interview. It's best to read it in full to gain an accurate perspective. I came away with greater understanding and acceptance regarding this split.

"They are very, very different. Sometimes that's a good thing, but at some point you need to find yourself as a team... in your difference... especially when you become mature. We as coaches and choreographers can do a lot but at some point [the duo has] to connect... We worked a lot this past season to connect them, on ice and off ice too, but it was a challenge because of their personalities. Zach is independent, Marjorie also... For them to be in one direction was always difficult... Now [that] they are becoming adults... I think they both realized they were not aligned -- artistically... in their vision. The connection was never really there, even though they are good friends... always respectful ... and I think really love each other... They were never able to showcase their maturity on the ice. We couldn't find the solution."
-- Romain Haguenauer
 
dorispulaski said:
I would be very interested to see how a team of Jean-Luc and Marjorie would work out.


Just don't call them anything with Joy in it. It is too sad - reminds me of Jean Luc's first partner, Joylyn Yang. They were a great young team. She suffered a career ending injury.

But that pairing shows what Jean-Luc could do with a smaller partner when he was 18 or so. He is now 32.


Joylyn & Jean-Luc's FD from the season they won U.S. Novices
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OJFvRcf_SMk&pp=ygULSm95bHluIHlhbmc=

Here they are in their first year of juniors at U.S. Nationals in 2011.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Zy_V2VKVM&pp=ygULSm95bHluIHlhbmc=

And their FD from 2011-12.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wXVmf47I5qI&pp=ygULSm95bHluIHlhbmc=

And to throw another thought in, Jean-Luc was born in the UK. He probably has British citizenship, as well as US citizenship.



.
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Thanks so much for sharing baby Jean-Luc with his early partner, Joylyn Yang. Aww 🤩 I never saw Jean-Luc skate with anyone other than Kaitlin Hawayek. Sooo cute and very talented, as we have always known him to be.
 
Ruthypegs said:
I am super-excited that Jean-Luc will be back competing - he's one of my all-time favourite male ice-dancers.

However, I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't decide to skate for GB (he has citizenship).

Edit: or maybe they could skate for GB - he does have citizenship after all. Not sure how it would work for Marjorie changing countries though.
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Well, if the goal is 2030, which country will fast track citizenship faster ? Jean-Luc has been living in Canada for years so it is probably easier to go for Canada.
If the goal is to compete as fast as possible, Marjorie needs to compete for Canada. Jean-Luc doesn't need to sit out a season, he didn't compete for a while now. Competing for any other country but Canada means that they would need to sit out a full season because Marjorie competed in late March this year.
 
Still stunned about the split of LaLa. I'm wondering if there was discord being part of the Montreal team, and perhaps not given the attention of a FB/Cizeron, Chock/Bates, Davis/Smolkin. Haegenauer certainly articulated his analysis which seem to indicate the frustration with their lack of shared focus and vision. Maybe one or both will end with another coaching team.
 
RatedPG said:
I contacted my spy over at IAM directly during my lunch break…
Unofficially, it is:

Zachary 😍 is with Hannah 🇰🇷
Marjorie is with Jean Luc 🇺🇸

Personally, I think Marjorie has the better partner. Hopefully, they both skate for 🇨🇦
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Hannah seems a little bubbly for Zac. Marjorie seems too tall for Jean-Luc and even more of a challenge with lifts. And does Jean-Luc have a Canadian foothold. I know his parents are Brits - maybe because they are part of the UK that includes Canada? First thoughts; obviously if they click then maybe it's a good match.
 
slider11 said:
Hannah seems a little bubbly for Zac. Marjorie seems too tall for Jean-Luc and even more of a challenge with lifts. And does Jean-Luc have a Canadian foothold. I know his parents are Brits - maybe because they are part of the UK that includes Canada? First thoughts; obviously if they click then maybe it's a good match.
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Too tall? She's 1.53, quite shorter than his previous partner.
 
slider11 said:
Hannah seems a little bubbly for Zac. Marjorie seems too tall for Jean-Luc and even more of a challenge with lifts. And does Jean-Luc have a Canadian foothold. I know his parents are Brits - maybe because they are part of the UK that includes Canada? First thoughts; obviously if they click then maybe it's a good match.
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Well as I mentioned and others picked up on it, Marjorie is very short. 7 CMS shorter than hawayek.

Canada doesn't belong to the UK. No. It doesn't work like that. His ties with Canada are simple : he has been living here for a long time, working here and is engaged to someone who is also living here. So, who knows how far he is or not in the process of getting residency.

Regarding Hannah, she seems very intense about music and story telling. It could work out fine for Zach. Do I prefer Marjorie for him? Yes. However, if you read the interview Romain gave, the split makes sense. I have always been wondering about Zachary and music. He does have classical music training and is a dance major. He is intense and artsy. I think there may be a better fit with Hannah in that sense. We will see how it is on the ice.
I don't think it's very easy for someone like Zach to find a perfect partner.
 
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It must have been a difficult decision at the cusp of being a virtual lock for your first National Championship, and sort of hovering around major podiums.

But it seems those possibilities were less important than fidelity to their individual artistic visions, and sad as I am, I have to respect that - grudgingly.

A few years ago, they were my favorite Canadian dancers. If they find themselves unable to recapture that kind of magic, then perhaps it's for the best.
 
4everchan said:
Jean-Luc hasn't competed for the USA for how many years now ? I am guessing they would be better off representing Canada because they wouldn't have to wait a year, just the time it takes for the USFED to release him, which I would think may be shorter because he hasn't been skating competitively for a long time. Do they even have to release a skater who hasn't been active for more than two years ? He is not on their funding list. So ?

If they decided to represent the USA, then Marjo needs a release and they cannot compete internationally at all in 2026-27.
Worlds were later this year, because of the Olympics.

Jean-Luc has been in Montreal since they "retired" in 2023-24 season. He is engaged to Olivia Smart and choreographing. He may have his citizenship process started already. If not, it's most likely not possible for him to get it in time for 2030.

Hannah already has Canadian citizenship. All she will need is a release. The Korean Fed has been very slow with allowing Minsol Kwon to skate for Canada. However, considering that Hannah skated for Canada before, I would think they may be less stingy in this case.
In the end, Zach and Hannah will not be able to compete at all this year, other than domestically for the same reason mentioned above (Worlds being earlier in 2027).

So for logistics, it seems likely that both team will represent Canada.
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I am not convinced of JLB and Marjo. They may just be practicing Golden Waltz for a partnership TBD for all I know. If it is true I will get onboard because I enjoy them both - but again I am not convined this is a done deal.
 
On her 'Whatever This Is' YouTube podcast, Olivia Smart indicated that she and Jean-Luc plan to live in Canada until they end their competitive career(s). At the time, of course, she only referenced her career because Jean-Luc is retired and there was no inkling he had plans to make a comeback. Once they both fully retire, they are not planning to remain in Canada, per Olivia. They will most likely move to the U.K.
 
labgoat said:
I am not convinced of JLB and Marjo. They may just be practicing Golden Waltz for a partnership TBD for all I know. If it is true I will get onboard because I enjoy them both - but again I am not convined this is a done deal.
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For sure, this sounds reasonable. They may be simply practicing while Marjo firms up her search for a new partner. 🤔
 
labgoat said:
I am not convinced of JLB and Marjo. They may just be practicing Golden Waltz for a partnership TBD for all I know. If it is true I will get onboard because I enjoy them both - but again I am not convined this is a done deal.
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We will find out soon enough...but I am thinking it's a possibility. His and Kaitlin's careers were cut short due to injuries... He is still young enough to compete. So many fans would be happy to have him back. Clearly, with the IAM order in the rankings from last year, the splits and potential repairing is throwing a complete flock of pigeons amongst the cats... yes.. I am reversing the order of things that way :)
 
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