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Post by balletpot on Jun 18, 2013 16:44:03 GMT 1
I just saw International Figure Skating's Facebook post saying that Marina & Gwendal are thinking of a comeback for Sochi, linking to this article en.ria.ru/sports/20130618/181727192/Olympic-Ice-Dance-Champions-Stage-Shock-Comeback-for-Sochi.html I don't know what to think of this and I don't know if it's such a good idea, even though I'd love to see them compete again, of course, and even though Marina said that “With this judging system you could even teach a bear to skate” I wonder how they would adapt to the new rules and also to going back to hard training. Have you heard more about this?
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Post by sysi on Jun 18, 2013 22:11:34 GMT 1
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Post by balletpot on Jun 18, 2013 22:18:55 GMT 1
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Post by balletpot on Jun 20, 2013 10:46:19 GMT 1
Found some interesting quotes and info at the end of this post. lambcoskating.co.uk/news/international/sandra-stevenson-reports-french-comeback/'Didier Gailhaguet, the longtime President of the French Ice Sports Association, is claiming it was his idea for Marina Anissina, 37, & Gwendal Peizerat, 41, to return to ice dance competition, with the idea of taking part in the Sochi Olympic Games. Talking to reporters from France’s most popular Sports Newspaper, L’Equipe, he claimed, “I have been trying to get them to return to competing for France ever since they left the sport after winning gold in 2002. I suggested it for 2006 and 2010 and I’m delighted I have finally persuaded them.”' 'Their former coach Muriel Zazoui appeared stunned when asked about the development. “The rules have changed so much since 2002. Coming back would require an enormous amount of work. I know Gwendal realizes this. I don’t think Marina appreciates just how very different the sport is now, how much more athletic it is now. I wish them good luck.”'
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Post by usaapfan on Jun 29, 2013 20:52:27 GMT 1
I spoke with Gwendal this morning regarding the announcement to compete in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games. He received a call from Marina a few months ago proposing the idea. At the time, he just thought it was a musing on her part so he dismissed the idea. He was as surprised as we (the fans) were to read the comeback announcement last week while he was on holiday.
During the conversation, he said something in passing that made me pause. Gwendal said that back in 1993, when they began their partnership; Marina told him that one day they would be Olympic champions. “I just thought, sure, whatever. I didn’t realize the determination Marina had.”
He was telling me that she has the same determination now.
Marina will be coming to France to discuss this further but currently, Gwendal is undecided and is still thinking about it.
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Post by sysi on Jun 30, 2013 19:55:00 GMT 1
Thank you again for this update Michele! I really hope Gwendal will make a good decision (I have no idea which one is goo though ;D). As a fan, I'd love to see them skate again, it would be really interesting to see what they could do under the new system and I'm sure their dances would be as beautiful as they always were, regardless of the result. If the motivation is to show something great, then
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Post by sysi on Aug 14, 2013 22:07:26 GMT 1
Well, first I thought it's probably some crazy PR. Then, all the interviews and especially Michele's update made me believe it is real intention (at least from Marina's part). After 2 months without any news, I was pretty sur: it really was just a story made for PR or some sort of betting or Gwendal didn't agree and the project ended. But now, I see this and one week ago, Dzhigurda was asked about comeback and said Gwendal still isn't sur about it ( as he wirks for regional Council,...)and they're deciding if Marina will only coach of also skate with Gwendal ( huh, can they still be seriously thinking about it? the games are taking place in 6 months )... I must admit I'm really lost... but why is Gwendal in Courchevel now? And why is Marina on vacation now, when she was helping to coach the French team this summer? Btw. I don't have that article anymore, but Amodio (and last year Morgan Cypres) were wery complimentary about Marina's help. It's great that at leat skaters give her some credit, when the federation make it look like she's not there at all
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Post by usaapfan on Oct 20, 2013 18:51:10 GMT 1
I hope that most of you had an opportunity to see the ice dance competition at Skate America in Detroit. There was some exceptional skating given that it is the first major competition of the season. I look forward to seeing the programs of the other teams. Now for your A & P update… Marina did travel to France this summer to discuss the possibility of Marina and Gwendal competing in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Socchi. She was leaning towards competing but Gwendal talked her out of it. So there will be no competitive comeback. I asked him a hypothetical question, “If you had come back to complete, what music would you have selected?” Gwendal said, “Strategic.” He also added that they would have created a program for the fans and not the judges. I interpreted that as NOT a program put together to garner the most points but a program with a theme or message. On a side note, Gwendal is enjoying fatherhood. There is joy is his voice when he talks about Shanelle. Gwendal tries to speak to her in English. He commented that she hears enough French from other people. Gwendal related a story where he asked Shanelle, in English, to point out pieces of a wooden puzzle. “Show me the strawberry.” She was able to correctly point to the les fraises. For those of you in France, you will be able to see him on television in December coaching a team of skaters, celebrities and singers. His team will compete against teams coached by Sarah Abitbol, Surya Bonaly and Philippe Candeloro to see who can come up with the best ice show. For those of us in North America, we’ll have to depend on You Tube.
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Post by sysi on Nov 14, 2013 0:18:57 GMT 1
Late, but still, enormous thank you again, for the update Michelle, it's really appreciated !!! Seeing Davis/White and other couples this season, it's quite clear it would be a mission impossible to get some great result. OTOH I can't help myself, but my two favorite free dances this season are form Giles /Poirier and Hurtado/Diaz. From this point of view, I tell often to myself it's maybe a shame and wonder about "what if..."...I'm sur I'd love their dances. But well, now, that's too late... I'm happy Gwendal is busy doing what he likes and thanks again for update on Shanelle: So cute As for Marina, there were recently some interviews about the whole situation and her work for the French team I really hope she will get some recognition once, it would be nice to see her in Kiss and Cry, or at least have some article And I really hope she will get some offers from Russia as it seems to me more and more that the French act really bad towards their sportsmen, even the current ones, not to mention past stars and I think those skaters deserve much more ! www.kp.ru/daily/26156.3/3043843/rus.ruvr.ru/2013_10_18/Figurnoe-katanie-Vozvrashhenie-pari-Pejzera-Anisina-v-Sochi-ne-sostoitsja-1800/All in all, I think it was probably right decision, even if I'm somewhat a little bit sorry for Marina and especially, I'd really love them to skate in shows. That wouldn't be so difficult time and training vise and it would make many people really happy.
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