Papadakis publishes book; Cizeron challenges claims

[Daba]

Well reading the book I began to think Gabi is worse than Pasha Grishuk. Especially after part where she hoped Tessa and Scott will fall Then about miscarriage - that part is just sick. She had the decision, but her partner and coaches are blamed for it.
I don't want support Gabi just because she's a woman. So much jealousy in her words about Virtue and Moir and to Cizeron. I am just heartbroken and upset that my perception of her were far from reality

 

[Miya88]

My take is that the French team event when Papadakis was skating was not as innovative as Chock & Bates who throughout the years always presented original themes in their free whereas the French seemed to be one note - lyrical. And yes I know France grants citizenship to "talent" so that one does not have to wait as long as USA or other countries to gain citizenship but it bugs the hell out of me that Laurence,a Canadian,got French citizenship within months of her partnership with Cizeron.

by innovative you mean they always had to act like, he was austronaut, she was an alien? she was a snake, he was snake tamer etc.
In their skating I dont see any innovation. No edges, no good choreo. That's my opinion.

 

[viennaskater]

by innovative you mean they always had to act like, he was austronaut, she was an alien? she was a snake, he was snake tamer etc.
In their skating I dont see any innovation. No edges, no good choreo. That's my opinion.

I never used to like Chock/Bates but I have been impressed by their innovation over the past few seasons. I like it when a free dance has a 'theme'.

However, while watching their current free dance I feel no emotion whatsoever, unlike the performances of the French, Brits and lovely Piper and Paul. That has to mean something.

 

[viennaskater]

Well reading the book I began to think Gabi is worse than Pasha Grishuk. Especially after part where she hoped Tessa and Scott will fall Then about miscarriage - that part is just sick. She had the decision, but her partner and coaches are blamed for it.
I don't want support Gabi just because she's a woman. So much jealousy in her words about Virtue and Moir and to Cizeron. I am just heartbroken and upset that my perception of her were far from reality

Oh WOW, I have to get this book!

 

[noskates]

I've often wondered what someone hopes to gain by writing a book like this - other than $$$$. In my opinion it has totally erased any good feelings of watching Cizeron and Papadakis skate beautiful programs. Slamming other skaters, making disparaging remarks about someone she skated with since she was a child, etc. Not a great legacy. I don't enjoy listening to her commentary and now the memory of those wonderful programs is tarnished. Bad on you Gabi.

 

[pearly]

I read an article today (https://www.sports.ru/figure-skating/blogs/3376582.html) by a person who had read the book. The people in it - coaches, Cizeron - do not come off as villains, at least not from this article. It appears they did what any person would do when dealing with an adult who has the power to make their own decisions and choices.

It doesn't seem like a 100% negative portrayal of those around her. Trying to carefully choose my words here.

 

[throw_triple_flip]

The tone of this post is weirdly gleeful.


I also find it strange how internet strangers are taking sides in this squabble. Though if he believes her claims are untrue I understand why he would take legal action.

 

[ladyjane]

Interesting article.

 

[Demandred]

Plus, if Gabby has such serious, biased feelings about her former partner, I do not think she should be in the NBC/ USA commentating booth covering his and his competitors' performances. It's a conflict of interest. IMO, Gabby is not a good ice dance commentator anyway. Jean-Luc Baker, Mark Hanretty, and even Ben Agosto, are far better, as were Tanith Belbin and Charlie White years ago.

Papadakis is employed as a commentator by an US television network whose audience is excluisively American. I really doubt her employer would have any objections if she shows bias against the main competitors of the Americans for the gold.

 

[pearly]

The tone of this post is weirdly gleeful.


I also find it strange how internet strangers are taking sides in this squabble. Though if he believes her claims are untrue I understand why he would take legal action.

Do you mean mine?

 

[Mathman]

I've often wondered what someone hopes to gain by writing a book like this - other than $$$$.

I think that there can be lots of reasons. A person might hope that her/his experiences can serve as a guidepost or as a warning signal to others facing the same trials that she faced. Or sometimes writing a remembrance can be of cathartic benefit to the author. I think that Gracie Gold's book, for instance, falls into this category.

 

[Skater Boy]

Wow. So much to reply to. AT the very base of this is a book with comments Gabriella has made. I honestly am not happy with how she has handled all this and I don't understand all this anger necessarily. At the same time I do not fully know or understand the context. Ther seems to be layers of issues - from Cizeron's attitude to her past history with men, her pas victimization form abuse, how IAM handles issues and how she reacts to things including the Sorenson issue. I respect not only do I not understand or appreciate her pov but we don't know everything and we are not her. I respect that all this "anger" and issues has a lot to deal with her and her past and how she views it. She is entitled to it. I do admit with the book it is hard to see how she commentates and quite frankly there are better commentators especially for English speaking viewers from Tanith Belbin White to Ben Agosto, Jean Luc Baker etc. There is freedom of speech; I do find the timing a bit questionable - just in time for to "cash in" with the Olymics as to selling books and the affect or infleunce it might have on the competition especially ice dance. The comments about Chock and Bates. Undoubtedly a very good team especially with what competition is out there. I use the term lucky but they in my humble opion have received the benefit of the doubt or generocity winning three worlds they sound dominant but some of the scoring was rtaher generous for them in many events. That still does not change my opinion that they are a very good team. No I do not agree their iconic like PC or VM or even Krylova and Oksianicov, Klimova and Ponomarenko tor of course Torvil and Dean despite their impressive record. They are competing an era of very good teams but not excellent (sorry Piper and Paul and Gullaume and Laurence - I honestly like FEar and Gibson - so fun bu they should not be on the podium but i thik will as for whatever reason Piper and Paul are being dumped - not fairly on their programs and skill. Anyways, Gabi regardless needs to be supported and nurtured and respected. Regardless of your opiniher handling of things she needs healing and comfot her words and actions are that of a wounded soldier. On an additoinal note whether it is translation or people miscommunicating things it is very hard to understand her "story". Losing the baby or miscarriage is different than an abortion. The timing is confusing on the even of the world championships, she wanted to compete at the olympics like the baby would affect that - but the olympics were threee years away, were there seaprate issues with Gullaume as an artist and partner to allegations of sexual abuse by a couple of people, the way IAM handled it - even Sorenson and her feelings about that. I do remember he was never convicted criminally and IAM was his coaching and training center - so am not sure it is right to simply throw Sorenson out but again I do not know the environment. I am trying really trying to be empatheic towards Gabi because honestly I don't like all this "hatred and anger she has to so many. Understandable yes in her view but the linkages seem confusing or weak. I am hope she can find help and moves on. Now as for the defamation or claim of Cizeron. Well this ironically might help Gabi sell books and not help his gold medal run.

 

[fsfs1980]

Why do I keep hearing Taylor Swift's "mad woman" as I read several of these comments?

 

[Diana Delafield]

I just wish the publication of her book was happening after the Olympics. Regarding bias/positive or negative, Tanith was commentating while she was coaching and no one seemed to have an issue with potential bias. I don't remember anything negative.

Kirsten Moore-Towers comments on Canadian pairs when her own pupils are competing and is as fair as with any other skaters.

 

[gkelly]

The timing of the book's release was undoubtedly determined by the publisher, not the author. They want to sell books, and the market for skating-related books is much higher in proximity to the Olympics than at any other time.

 

[el henry]

If this is how Gabi feels, why shouldn't she write about it?

Why is Gracie Gold praised, but Gabi criticized?

At first I had no feelings one way or the other, but now I will be interested in excerpts. Of course, I have no longstanding attachment to Gabi and Gui or longstanding scorn for other ice dancing teams to influence my opinion.

 

[Mathman]

I have no ...longstanding scorn for other ice dancing teams..

I think the rule is, you must have scorn for skaters to qualify as a true skating fan.

 

[Diana Delafield]

I think the rule is, you must have scorn for skaters to qualify as a true skating fan.

Does a "meh" shrug for skaters many others adore count as scorn, or does it have to include shouting and frothing at the mouth and beating other fans over the head with fan-flags?

 

[Jeanie19]

If this is how Gabi feels, why shouldn't she write about it?

Why is Gracie Gold praised, but Gabi criticized?

At first I had no feelings one way or the other, but now I will be interested in excerpts. Of course, I have no longstanding attachment to Gabi and Gui or longstanding scorn for other ice dancing teams to influence my opinion.

Its the timing of the release of the book. If it was April, not a problem.

 

[Chantilly]

The title of this thread needs to change.
GUI is not suing for defamation.
I believe his team is requesting a cease and desist. He's basically saying I feel I'm being defamed, I ask you to stop.
Suing is a whole other process