Sunday, December 31, 2017

I knew it would happen and did not have the stomach

I've spent a lot of the past couple of months obsessed with politics, appalled at most of the media and disgusted by some politicians I'd previously respected.

I didn't have the strength to check in on the GPF and discover that the ISU allowed ANOTHER team to defeat VM. Bad enough they went back and forth w/Davis White, but a second team is obscene. Another team with dumbed down skating and an aggressively ignorant fan following is showered w/10s while VM fans shrink from community discussion.

I knew it was going to happen, just went completely derelict on the blog because it was going to be that ONE THING that broke the camel's back.  I mean, not really, I'm fine, but enough already.

VM were imperfect (you know, that's like saying Hillary Clinton is flawed like you always have to say it about her, because all other candidates were perfect). Papadakis & Cizeron skated a program that even juniors can't get away with, so they truly are exceptional. It's not as if they've shown the way. What they do applies only to them.

Was just reading a discussion on Golden Skate in which a fan claimed that the Moulin Rouge lift is not really a lift. I just thought of Charlie White sliding Meryl's ass along the ice before swinging her by both arms, pivoting, and landing her on his back and thought - what a magnificent lift that was. Not as good a lift as jumping onto your partners unevenly balanced thighs knees first, though, while gripping his shoulders. THAT's a lift.

If there has been a skating team that has had to
eat more shit than Virtue & Moir, I don't know
who they are. I think the ISU adores being sadistic
and having control over a pair of talents that
so clearly outclass and outskate any other team that
has ever competed in this ... activity.

84 comments:

  1. That picture disgusts me!!

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    1. The picture does nothing for me. It's watching the event and figuring out how they screwed around with the results (and getting away with it) that disgust me most.

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    2. This picture disgusts me too, especially Gabriella's smile.

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    3. Um ok. This is literally the most disgusting thing in this thread. And hate to break it to you but. Canadians have a great reputation except maybe French Canadians (telling)

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  2. Sorry but you were the first in said this was not going to happend again and a lot of people in this blog told you, you were wrong and the Olys were fixed almost two years ago, you said VM came back because they knew they were going to win and a lot of people told you, you were wrong so the true is Canadian Fed knew this since the beggining and is complicit of this for the shit team event and they´re delusional aspiration with Osmond or DR (the serious part for them) they cheated VM for the comeback. The only good thing in all this shit is Pat is not going to stay without say anything when ISU robbed again VM.

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    1. Hmm I think after last season's outcome, some would think that the Feds as a whole woke up. Alas, too good to be true. Our hope is that Olympics will prove contrary to what's happening. Reward teams deserving of those medals. However, in the meantime, I'm holding my breath like the rest of the ppl.

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  3. Ice dance will only go downhill from here (well, it started from d/w & they got away with it, right?) -_-

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  4. on this blog of shit you are all so hatefull and ridiculous.. LOL you are all so persuaded to hold the truth ..it s the contrary you are blind or chauvinist because V/M are just acrobats and skaters only gifted for ballroom style..never real dancers..two skaters with old and has been style

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    1. Hahahahahaha...seriously whatever...it's your own delusional mind that your P/C is one exceptional "skaters". V/M already praised by many present (young and senior) as well as former skaters & coaches on how exceptionally well they skate. It's the narrative on those boards you probably so enjoy visiting filling you up (and gratifying your delusional thinking) with those nonsense (ugly lift, same lyrical dance, lame-o chemistry, and yes, the ever SMH on their acrobatics. Oh do go on & on) because you can't bring V/M down. They won based on merit and talent. They won without having the narrative told to fans worldwide. Their skating have been proven on ice and in competitions. And what's more .. they will forever be remembered for what they brought to ice dance (even if you think they don't deserve gold again) They are legends because they worked at it for 20 years and will be remembered as such ...

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    2. V/M are empty....their soap opera style is boring...they are heavy and forced and they are ridiculous as their interpretation is overplayed..their lift with butt in the air is cheesy and teasing....typical North American skate living dead...2 dusty has been

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    3. Chauvinist?!!! Why would you argue with someone who says that knowing VM are the best is chauvinist? if one even knows the basics of good skating this isn't even debatable. VM are unmatched. Period.

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    4. OP, I don't think you know that the reason the ice dance discipline was created was to transfer ballroom dance onto the ice. You saying that's all VM can do is more a compliment than anything else. By your own admission, they are ice dance personified.

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    5. big mistake ice dance isn t only ballroom except for all NA nuts fans who loved this crap so much ..V/M aren t dance personified..their trade mark for the FD is sooap opera...poor theme with jump/lift except last year already they were loosing when they copied P/C...but for too long always the same cheesy tearfull style Cherbourg Malher Funny face Pilgream Sochi crap etc..bye and basta V/M you are dusty empty heavy ....2 too much skaters a cheerleader and a barman...no style no class no charisma no elegance and more and more vulgar for the SD last year for SD/FD this season ..

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  5. I'm not sure that VM can take the blame on any of this. But I will say that their idiotic PR strategy never helped. Portraying their connection as something otherworldly instead of their unmatched skating skills and unmatched artistry did them in. look at the french. they cant skate and have the same "artistry" for literally 5 years. but they are touting their nonexistent skating skills- oh what edges! look how low Guillaume gets in his squats!- and nonexistent artistry "oh wow Danse" they Danse"" and basically outsmarted-outnarratived VM. VM's hubris didnt help.

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  6. What does OyCanada have to say about suddenly changing their story of “Oh, VM only came back because they were assured Olympic gold and wouldn’t have to suffer another Sochi”? I notice there has been no comment about two years of being so sure of that supposed insider information.

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    1. I don't think OC ever claimed that was insider info -- just a gut hunch. I've personally always assumed Pyeongchang was P/C's, because the feds can't possibly want three straight North American dance champs, but it's also possible that V/M could have been promised one thing to start and are now finding it was an empty offer.

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    2. OC stated it as if it were factual information many times.

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    3. not really. oc has always been clear that her views that vm have kids and are together is connecting the dots. and for their comeback as well.

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    4. I agree with you 6:14. As an aside, my gut hunch was that they were promised GPF. Now if they had splatted last season they would have won it this time around.

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    5. Anon @ 10:14 AM, you are definitely wrong that OC has "always been clear that her views that VM have kids and are together is connecting the dots" and not factual information. S/he has stated that VM are definitely and factually married with children MANY times in the past on this blog. I could probably find tons of quotes to prove this, but I just chose one past post at random and already found an instance where it was stated as fact:

      "David Pelletier was never involved with Tessa. Tessa is married to Scott. The Tessa and David lies, promoted energetically by one particular fixated fan who spams forums under multiple screen names, had a whole lot more prominence on the web than Craig/Jamie."

      Does OC say "Everyone who is paying attention should know VM are married"? Did s/he say "All evidence points to VM being married"? No. OC clearly stated it as fact.

      If I had time, I could probably find instances when OC also stated the "theory" of VM's comeback being contingent on a guaranteed win in Pyeongchang being fact, but I don't have time to wade through all the posts.

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  7. I'm so glad that I finally found a place on the internet that has explained to me what the hell is going on with ice dancing since the 2015 Worlds (well and before that, too. This blog has also helped me understand why I hated DW so much all those years when so many people liked them. Thank GOD they are out of the picture!). I liked P and C enough in 2015, but I could see that Gaby needed a lot of work ... THEN I was entranced by their 2016 "To Build a Home" FD and watched it over and over and over. Gaby had improved leaps and bounds in her technique - her legs were much more extended, much smoother skating, and much better unison with Guillaume. Then 2017 PC used the same type of music (modern-ish/lyrical), similar costumes, movement, phrasing, and the exact same rotational lift and spin, so ok, now I'm starting to get bored but whatever because VM came back with the "Latch" FD, and I got to see their brilliance again, but with changes to their style - more mature, more organic, more integrated...

    Then 2018 comes and oh no a Moonlight Sonata from PC!?!?! Oh no no no but ok, whatever, I'll get over that completely boring and uninspired choice of music. (There is a fine line between classic and cliche. Chanel suit? Classic. Moonlight Sonata? Cliche. And yes, I even hated it when our beloved G and G used it in 1994 and yes, I love Beethoven but that just is not his greatest hit, guys!!!). So now we have another lyrical piece, with the same flowy costumes, same style and movement. That makes 2018 the fourth year in a row with the SAME FREE DANCE CONCEPT...AND IF I HAVE TO SEE THAT SAME COMBO SPIN ONE MORE TIME I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF. LOOK AT EVERY FREE PROGRAM SINCE 2015 and it INCLUDES THE EXACT SAME COMBO SPIN! Oh wait no no no I'm mistaken, for this OLYMPIC year they added a new spin component at the beginning of the combo - Gaby's legs intertwined with Guillaume's, so maybe there will be something totally new. Or even SEMI-NEW! But...no. No. It goes right back to the tried (tired?) and true PC spin-o-rama - Gaby's head up and arm out, then layback style (for the love of GOD, PLEASE TURN YOUR LEGS OUT PEOPLE! ANY LAYBACK POSITION NEEDS A TURNED OUT LEG AND FOOT! PLEASE!!! Even VM had to work on that!), then Gaby's head to the side with arm out. Oh wait, then Guillaume does his SECOND low spin trick coming out of the combo spin like he did after their twizzles (look guys, this is different, I promise! Guillaume does a twirly thing at the end of the twizzles AND the combo spin! Look how hard we have trained!!! LOOOK!!!!) The spin is lovely in and of itself BUT IT'S THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW THAT THE EXACT SAME SPIN COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN USED. Come on, guys! Give us something new! We want it! Really, we do! Ok, so now if the PC trolls (aka the Three Stooges) from YouTube read this, they will cry out that VM's FD lift this year is the same as Carmen 2013, but VM have not included THAT SAME LIFT IN FOUR CONSECUTIVE LONG PROGRAMS. I'm actually not a fan of that particular lift, but at least it's technically difficult and executed perfectly.

    I think P and C are lovely on the ice. They ARE mesmerizing to watch because they skate fast, they are graceful and light, and yes, they CONNECT - all good and necessary in ice dancing and rare to find. However, what they ARE NOT doing is INNOVATING, GROWING, OR PUSHING THEMSELVES OR THE SPORT over the past few years and yet they are still beating teams that are technically light years ahead of them and artistically ALSO as good as they are (as in, VM and the Shibutanis). I wonder if in the above photo VM are thinking oh SHIT, here it goes again...2nd at the GPF just like before the 2014 Olympics.

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  9. OyCanada - you posted a few months ago the interchanged music on their 2016 and 2017 programs, which showed exactly what the problems are with P and C. I found this on YouTube, which is their Moonlight Sonata overlaid with Clair de Lune and again...IT'S UNCANNY!!! Just put any light, wispy, lyrical-y music on their programs and it fits. THAT'S NOT A GOOD SIGN. If you put different music on any dance or figure skating program, it should be jarring. It's NOT for PC's free dances. I mean seriously, test it out with any light, slow-ish, lyrical, classical-y music of about 4 min length and it should work. I think I'll try to overlay Debussy's "Reverie" to the Moonlight Sonata. Might work pretty well, methinks...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-0DW3v0eoY

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  10. I'm so frustrated. Today I had a discussion with a PC fan pointing out PC's technical flaws (I've been skating for 13 years competitively so you would hope people would give me some Credit)and because she couldn't answer to my points she said I liked to play the technical controller diva role and isulted me. So now having tech knoledgr is a bad thing?!

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    1. I think P/C fans forget that ice dance is a sport and focus only on the artistic side. Forget any required elements or the level of difficulty, this is dansing!

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    2. Urgh, even if they want to consider P/C's artistic more superior than any of the past and existing couples, I'm still yet to be convinced. Really? They (Fans/Fed) have Guillame always showing off his body like he's a god's gift to women. And that is supposed to support him being masculine and the epitome of a male dancer? Come on! Are we suppose to swallow that it's actually looks and crap skating count as ice dance these days? Yup, it sure does ... Well so much for coming up with scores on elements (stress on - tech) rendered as completely useless for future ice dancers. I'm done!

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    3. LOL you are so snarling it s useless to deny the evidence lol..compare to noble and haughty French GC SM looks like Mac Do employee...

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    4. 6:06 This is exactly what we're talking about. P/C fans focus only on the looks and not on the actual dancing, always talking about how Scott or Tessa look old/heavy/fat...

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    5. hey donkey big mistake you don t undestand i don t speak about SM/VM s look like but i speak about the general impression they get off on the ice compare to the French ...when V/M skate they looks so tiny tiny tiny behingd the French and they are very very very heavy not only by the weight and shape but especially by their skating skills and their presence on the ice.....GC is not only the best dancer with the beauty/charisma of a young god but he is a star dancer..GP is a pure prima dona ballerina....compare to P/C V/M skate like 2 truckers with no delicacy no finer points no sensitivity no REAL emotion no brain power no harmony no softness no extension no flexibility ...SM is stiff like a poker and he know how to interprret and skate only by grimacing and forcing the line...TV squirms constantly and can only play her sex appeal..in Hesinki last season for the WC V/M were ridiculous when they passed after P/C especially after the pitifull performance of SM...

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    6. Prima dona ballerina speaks volumes.

      Margot ;)

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    7. @5:45am you lost your argument the minute you address someone whom you disagree with a "donkey"...you're certainly entitled to your opinion. However, it speaks more volumes of V/M's skating talent and skills coming from former and present professional skaters from all over. And it's been that way for the past 10+ years ... even while they were still at Junior circuit. This sentiment only continued more and more as V/M skated their way into the Senior circuit. So, in the scheme of things, your opinion nor mine means absolutely nothing. After all, we are only spectators. And those skaters are professionals so their words and accolades of V/M are priceless ...

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  11. I disagree with the criticism about D/W. They and V/M were worthy opponents post Vancouver. What I don't get and probably never will is the meteoric rise of P/C. Did Didier spill some serious cash to have them sky rocket to the top of the heap so quickly? I am not suggesting that you have to "wait your turn" to win, but good God P/C's skills are no where near V/M's or even the Shibs for that matter. The imbalance in skills in P/C are glaring, and it shows in the uneveness of their performances and easier choreography. For the record, I'm not Canadian, so this has nothing to do with national basis.

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    1. I agree. What's the point then if the scores can be manipulated to push a team? Still can't fathom how difficult elements can be at par with mediocre just because they fulfil a set "look". Might as well just acknowledge skating (or in this case, ice dance) as a pagentry show rather than skills. That i can swallow.

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    2. @1:48 I bet he did. That's why the French Fed is so broke and can't put on nice events. Websites that work, are user-friendly and accessible in other languages besides French; stable podiums that don't make skaters feel like they're about to break their necks; real physical flags; quality ice and actual metal medals (not plastic medals or plastic stars from the dollar store)- who cares about all that? A French figure skating star is more important, an OGM for the pair even more critical.

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    3. @5:10, You are priceless :-)

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  12. Surely this is all just part of the narrative? To make the Olympics less of a one horse race? Last season the comeback, sweeping all before them, finally getting GPF. Virtue and Moir look unassailable, second Olympic gold an almost certainty. But that's boring, right? Where's the story? The competition, the rivalry, the will they, won't they? I always agreed with OC that VM wouldn't return only to be screwed over by TPTB. This feels like an ISU storyline for their soap opera.

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    1. Let's say what you say is what's going on, it still doesn't help with regards to how they screwed those deserving of their skating skills (i.e. Scores) from the judges. To have former and experienced skaters scratching their heads and stating the obvious (on Twitter, no less) makes this maddening! God, don't talk about media. Talk about a repeat of the tale of emperor new clothes. We can't even say a peep about what's going without someone junping our throat. The hypocrisy of it all - just to be looked on the skating journalist - is sickening and distasteful. Yes, I get it you don't want to rock the boat so help you that you won't be blacklisted as the journalist. Please I can't look at them anymore knowing that they are a part of the problem too. Sick!

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    2. I wish you were right 3:17, but P&C breaking the 200 mark thrice, which V&M have never done, is indicative of a trend. I see it as P&C essentially having beaten them three times this season: at the home GP, the away GP, and GPF. And P&C's score will probably go even higher at Euros while V&M won't do 4CC.

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    3. 6:49 agreed. But what y'all think about them tweaking MR? are they confident that could change something? is this the change of narratives needed to justify them winning over PC at the olys after a season of losses? or are they desperate and this is going to give people a argoument to justify PC winning? like "they kept changing their programs and never get the chance to execute polish elements?

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    4. We can't predict exactly how it's going to turn out. The politicking is much more unpredictable than if this were an actual fair competition.

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  13. Will someone wake me when the P/C era is over? Until then I will avoid ice dancing. It's just a sad state of affairs that they are rewarded for open, side-by-side skating with easier lifts and step sequences. And while I at it, for Christ's sake, would someone tell Narcissus (AKA Cizeron) to wear a shirt with sleeves?

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  14. I actually think the changes are good and they are so clever to do the changes after gpf ir they were done the more dramatic changes before the gpf the dramatic thing could lost the effect they want and also could seem overdone, so in this case I think added the dramatic side in this point I think is refreshing and more likely to the Oly audience. Also this remains me Farrucas and all the problems they had in that time to nail the program but they did in the exact moment. Even know Canadian fed is so dumbest and probably they know they were cheated to comeback at least they are going to fight until the end.

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  15. how do you know VM is making changes to MR free dance?

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  16. https://bevsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2018/01/05/virtue-and-moir-reborn-after-the-grand-prix-final/

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  17. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figureskating/tessa-virtue-scott-moir-olympics-1.4479889

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  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJtYpXOSYvw

    quite a lot of changes to the end. so obsessed with any and every iteration of this program.

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  19. Perfect score for V/M at Nationals. Eat that French team.

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    1. WIsh they would go to 4ccs. Watch them give the French same score at euros

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    2. Let them try. Pretty much most skaters in the field know what's going on. And honestly, some have been a tad vocal about what's going since GPF. It's ID FS that will lose out in the end.

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  20. @12:16, Agree. The French will surpass them due to politiking not actual skills and performance.

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  21. I saw their performances live at Nationals. If they skate like that in Korea and don't win, they should burn down the stadium and I will be officially done with ice dance for good. Such a shame. V/M are even better in person then I could have imagined. Truly beautiful and so skilled.

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    1. Lucky you! :) The chatter from across the FS boards is that it will be P/C who will be crowned gold, no matter what they do. It's an injustice certainly, especially when V/M do skate even better than when they did at Nationals. And at their caliber. But I'm holding on this optimism that V/M will of course not go down with a fight and hopefully come out as victors. Even if they are destined to be placed 2nd even with exceptional skating, ID will be forever tainted and from blatant underhanded dealings (which everyone already know). There are a karma in things. Just wait and see.

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    2. They are so smooth and fast in person, it does not translate through the screen. Felt same way about Patrick Chan basic skating skills

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  22. V/M will be the flag bearers for the opening ceremonies...what an amazing honour for them!

    Also, curious how this will effect the selection for team event - curious to see if V/M will skate both the SD and FD for the team event.

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    1. It was verified from an interview a while back that V/M will compete in both programs in Team event. Hardly surprising because Canada wants a gold medal for this one. So athletes who perform best will allow them to garner more points

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  23. Figure skating is the sport corruption killed. At one time figure skating was a hugely popular sport which generated huge TV ratings and full tribunes. It is now a fringe sport at best. People just got tired of watching skaters with sub-par skills winning world and olympic titles.

    People got fed up with having their intelligence insulted. Ironically tyhe roots of the demise were planted at its pinnacle. Urmanov's victory over Stojko was a joke. Grishuk and Platov? Another pair of highly over-rated skaters with sub-par skills. The death knell came when a pair of Russian skateers were awarded gold medals despite the obvious errors they made.

    Did the Russian and Freanch deal makers actually think they could pull off a heist with a billion people watching? It was the last straw. I have no doubt P/C will win the Olympic title and the farce will be complete.

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    1. The farce is only evident to those who actually follow the sport. The collusion will happen (and will continue to happen in the future - it did before as far back in 80's/90's and most recent, Sochi). Someone did an expose then and nothing came out of it. So, yes, based on this observation alone ... nothing will change.

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    2. With the help of the Americans, I have no doubt they can work wonders. Whatever the Americans say, the world follows.

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  24. I have to ask OC, given that you believe V\M to have a least one child, and that you believe everyone in the skating community to be aware and the "sham" relationships etc.; do you believe they would take on the honour of being flag bearers if they have been living a lie as claimed here? Would they risk the fallout? Because now they will be known beyond just the skating community....

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  25. Ok, after today's sd at Euros its rather clear, who will win the Games. Although the French made quite a few mistakes (let alone Gabby's pitiful steps), the scored 81. It's ludicrous. I just can't with it.
    By the way, this is the worst Euros I have seen so far. Judging is a mockery. Technical panel is utterly stupid at very best, but I guess "corrupted" is a more suitable word. Men's FS was a farce, pairs' FS was even a more hilarious farce and SD was simply pathetic. I hate this event.

    My heart goes out with you,
    Margot

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  26. Well, I changed my mind. I will be absolutely fine with PC scoring 81, if VM get 85.

    Regards,
    Margot

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  27. I don't understand p/c fans' logic this time. Watched the euro sd and interview too. Did I misunderstood Gabriella's interview comment on sd score? That they don't want peak before the games? I thought it was the momentum and consistency (i.e. Being broadcasted by fans) that was key that made them in favor to win games over v/m. Now, she said this, fans are like, yeah that makes sense. Point is isn't all skaters expected to bring their best at every single competition? Especially closer to season end? So why harp on every bit of v/m's mistakes and present (supposed undeserving) score into the logic of today's euro p/c's sd? (Which btw if p/c fans were to look closely all season, v/m were dinged much harder for their mistakes than p/c.) Anyway back to my point, I say so what if you made mistakes, at least own it at just that. Just say yeah, we made mistakes and will work better next time. But pls don't say we'll peak at games. All season long it has been that narrative is that p/c's peaking over v/m already. O_o

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    1. I have disagreed with DW with VM, but DW were ATHLETES. They didn't act like they were AHRTIST and DANSERS, they just skated and tried to be as athletic as possible. They were always respectful towards other skater, too.
      Now, PC are like kids who know they will get anything they want. They clearly don't respect anyone but themselves, they're full of themselves and posing as incomparable artist. And fairly so, because they are well aware they will win anyway, barring ultra-visible mistake. I'm so tired with it.

      Hugs and kisses, we need them,
      Margot

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    2. 6:05 I agree. I just feel that P/C sometimes act like they invented ice dancing and they think that their FD style is the best possible style, superior to others. I also noticed how they act around other skaters, when you look at the medal ceremony at 2018 Europeans, when they hug Stepanova/Bukin and then S/B goes to Bobrova Soloviev and to stand on the podium, watch Guillaume's face. I think he hates S/B. Maybe it's because S/B said in an interview (on some russian radio station - it's on Youtube somewhere) that they prefer V/M and they think they are the best ice dancers and they are even better since their comeback. (Just my opinion and observation.)

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    3. I found the interview with Stepanova/Bukin. It's in russian but the translation is in the comments. They talk about V/M around 40:30. Of course Guillaume may not know that S/B prefer V/M, but I just wanted to point out that P/C I think are not so friendly and supporting to other skaters - of course they don't have to be, everyone else is their competition, but I don't like them even more when I notice this type of behaviour.

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    4. I forgot to post the link to the interview lol here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lA0bQhkmuA&t=2420s

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    5. This was the interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRzCidP74EA (It's in French, though).

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    6. I agree that PC are overrated and entitled, but DW were still crap, they tried to do things the easiest way possible, and were very entitled and rude, IMO. Let's not re-write history just because this is happening again. I will never forgive USFS, SC, and the ISU for that one or say "at least DW..."

      SB used to beat PC regularly in juniors, so there's some history there. I also believe SB or their coaches had noted that fact and expressed some frustration that as seniors suddenly they are so far behind.

      As to 9:45's comment I wouldn't look for logic. The same fans who now say VM are too old weren't saying that when Delobel/S won Worlds in their 30s. The same fans who used to say that VM did too many soft flowing romantic programs don't say a word now that PC have never done anything but that. The same fans that said VM didn't deserve to win 2014 GPF or Olympics when skating clean because of "momentum" and punishment for their earlier mistakes aren't saying now that VM should win because of momentum or PC should be punished for all the mistakes they've made.

      They like who they like and the "arguments" are just to support whatever they want at the time, there is no objective standard.

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    7. I'm not saying that DW were better skating-wise, obviously not (actually PC are pretty decent skaters, especially Guillame, or maybe I should say they were pretty decent skaters in juniors when they weren't so convinced about their deity). DW's dances were horrid but they were nice people. Or maybe I remember it that way, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I remember they were nice, modest and respectful towards they competitors. And they didn't pretend they are something more than "just skaters". PC do.
      PC are simply unbearable. I get it, we should judge their skating and not their behaviour but come on - he was even so rude to say that their visible mistakes were just minor flaws and he doesn't know of anyone had seen it. Jesus. I mean, you are athletes, not some God's gifts to men.
      Skating-wise, their performance was lovely. As was Zahorski/Guerreiro dance. Similar level.

      Regards,
      Margot

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    8. I think whoever it was got away at Sochi with D/W (and by manipulating the 2 years before that to ensure this) and they might just pull it off again with P/C. If you notice the pattern, it involves the media (and perhaps also judges) to comply with the idea of these couples being champions. Always pushing the rivalry angle, the aesthetic of the skating between V/M and them...always making them at par in skating skills (roll eyes) when you can clearly see who's doing two footing skating or hopping or less glide or non unison, etc...on top of this, blatant manipulation in GOE and PCS. ID is dead

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    9. Guess they don't call figure skating subjective for nothing

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    10. I guess PC are more open about it in that moody French way but I did not find DW to be nice people. Fake nice, maybe. They were definitely more subtle about it, though, so I can see where someone would disagree.

      I remember after they won 2012 Worlds they gave interviews about how "many people" came up to them and told them they were robbed - they didn't want to SAY they were robbed, but they were saying they were robbed. Then they were giggling about how they would never throw a tantrum when they lost like Plushenko did, while essentially throwing a tantrum because they lost.

      I also noticed that in their post-skate interviews when they were not in first place, they always said something like "we need to ask the judges why we lost points," which at first glance sounds like they're taking responsibility, but they almost never acknowledged their mistakes. It was so the polar opposite of VM who would bring up mistakes I hadn't even noticed. And VM always spoke so highly of DW and what an honor it was to train with them, while DW never reciprocated, and the exact same thing happens now where VM praise PC and PC never react in kind. I think PC and DW are insecure.

      Also, DW would say things like "the judges asked us to bring this lift back." I found it so self-aggrandizing to act as though they totally could have done newer more difficult stuff, but they couldn't because of popular demand. Yeah right. And then the story about how they worked on that candle lift in Shez (a copy of VM's Carmen lift, but easier) for two years, basically implying VM copied them. Just all of these low rent little comments that I felt added up over the years. Charlie has also made some weird comment once about how he was really hoping to "humiliate" the Russians, with their history in ice dance, by beating them at home, and it made me wonder how much they loved "humiliating" VM as reigning Olympic champions. I also suspected they were behind the Marina/Igor split.

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    11. I have met both Charlie and Meryl. They are genuine people. I also know skaters that have competed against them and performed with them. Frankly, your post is full of baseless innuendo and supposition. That said, I agree with the other posters that P/C have begun to drink the "kool-aid" regarding their abilities and scores. I am a fan of both D/W and V/M, and P/C has a long way to go to match either team's talents. So, go V/M and kick some ass in Korea!

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  28. I see your point. Let's just agree to disagree on this point :) good that we both see how much inferior skating-wise are PC and DW to VM.
    BTW, I simply couldn't have watched their FD today at Euros. 203 points, I can't with it.
    And guess who - Mrs. Gordon-Poltorak again!

    Kisses and hugs,
    Margot

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  29. People on Instagram writing about "innovation" and "freshness" in PC programs.
    Jesus Christ.

    Regards,
    Margot

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    1. Pretty sure they've been broadcasting that for the past 4 yrs. Even more so now because it's Olympics year. To me, just because they say so doesn't mean it's true. I say thank goodness for YouTube. Evidence of Skating abilities performed on ice should and will speak for themselves ;) Let's see who will be spoken of for years to come.

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    2. P/C and ISU know what they are doing, they just hope everyone else is an idiot. Gabby blocked me on twitter just because I asked (nicely) when they would change the choreo, since they've been doing the same thing for the past 4 years. Oh, well! Anyway, my hope is that, after they win the OGM (since it's almost certain they will. Argh!) they will have no career. It's been known to happen...

      xoxo, Mirtila

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    3. Funny thing, it'll be their turn next time. Or the next one crowned. And so on and so on. The Feds as a collective refuse to do anything or acknowledge about it. So, it'll be this way as long as we are here to watch FS.

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    4. Might as well dictate to skaters what is in style, music choice and how it should look ... since from where I'm sitting, Free dance isn't really free (style/expression, etc..) anyways ... Yeah, like another form of beauty pageant

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  30. HI OC, I don't know if any of your friends shared with you a recent Canadian French sport interview piece. Left me with a bittertaste on my tongue. The one statement that really annoyed me was something on the lines of MF saying that probably or possibility of one of her two team earning perfect scores in Olympics. Yeah, like we are stupid not to know the whole thing is rigged. More evidently now. I'll be like wth if this honour is bestowed on v/m if they skated their lights out and clean. Just saying

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  31. "I'm mad as hell and i'm not going to take this anymore!" describes my feeling about ice dance at 2018 Olympics. Corruption and politics. I'm mad because I love V/M so much and I want them to win because clearly they are better than any other ice dance team.

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  32. Today I've read this article about Papadakis and Cizeron. http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/ed-sheeran-winter-olympics-it-works-gabriella-papadakis-and-guillaume-cizeron What do you think about it? There was some sentences that made me laugh. (I admit that I don't like Papadakis and Cizeron but it's quite obvious) "They dance to Ed Sheeran and the judges are in love with the shape of them." (or shape of him - greek god Guillaume, lol) "Cizeron told The Associated Press the choice of Sheeran could make skating more relevant to a younger audience" (hahaha) "It was 1984 Olympic champion Christopher Dean of Britain who suggested Sheeran" (I personally hate this music choice tbh) "We knew it was a little original, something different, and it's something we wanted," Papadakis said. "We wanted something modern, young, more urban, because that's more like us." (so Sheeran is urban, interesting. And it's "little original" - yes it's not original at all) "The music for their free dance is a little more traditional: Beethoven. "Not a lot of people listen to it on the radio," Cizeron said, "but most people know it or have heard it at least once. I think it's also music that talks to people. People can really feel." (so when you're not capable to make people feel something with your dancing, choose some music that makes them feel something - wtf. So this is the reason why they are choosing this type or classical music every year for their FD? Pitiful.) "The French pair has transformed its skating since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Back then, Papadakis and Cizeron were struggling to make the step to senior-level skating, and weren't selected for the Winter Games. The next season they moved from France to Montreal, began working with renowned coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon and Romain Haguenauer, and embraced skating full time." (From 13th place to 1st in one year, a miracle. Or corruption? Who knows) "In Pyeongchang, key rivals for the gold medal will be their training partners, the Canadian pair of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who won gold in 2010 and silver in 2014. Despite sharing the same ice, the French duo says the atmosphere is friendly." (Oh wait, I heard this bullshit about friendly atmosphere somewhere before - 2014 Davis/White V/M rivalry). I don't know if I should laugh or cry after reading this article. What do you think?

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    1. Like many of us, I think OC have had it too. The article is reminiscent of the narrative set of v/m d/w rivalry. The same goes with the same response this French team has advocated throughout the season. "You're (v/m and others) are old school and we're newer, better" schtick. (Let's not talk about the elephant in the room really - basic skating skills and lifts. what is that anyway, right?). Emote = better at it, artistry mastered exclusive for them (unless you're v/m, of course and I could probably think of other ice dancers who actually do better too). Anything remotely intricate or hard is always reduced to OTT theatrics and acrobatics. Never mind, that pretty much most of the Senior circuit couples are attempting those "acrobatic" lifts. But it's v/m so never mind) Seriously, just reading and hearing since 2010 this is getting old. In a way I'm somewhat relieved that v/m won't have to endure this anymore and going out with a high note/bang. History will look kindly on them (I truly believe) even if the haters spew their hate for them. As the title aptly said, I too have no stomach to watch what will (predictably) go down. I'd be majorly (hugely) surprised (but satisfied) if v/m is honoured with gold (with clean skates. Not one tiny slip/mistake because apparently for haters it's a MASSIVE one (as I keep reading in those FSU forum. Never mind their own committing actual-noticeable-and-deductible-but not-deducted/get a pass mistakes. So yup, it's v/m screw up all over again) Makes me honestly sick and angry.

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    2. "It was 1984 Olympic champion Christopher Dean of Britain who suggested Sheeran" - I find that to be a subtle way of defending their music choice and trying to make it a "great choice" by putting the Dean seal of approval on it.

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