The Dance Hall 13: When You Dance on the Ice and Your Feet Twizzle Twice, That's Amore

[Karen-W]

I sincerely hope it doesn’t include anything that could be seen as too negative toward sports or Guillaume Cizeron — in the current cancel culture climate, that kind of thing can destroy reputations overnight. I want ot continue to enjoy Cizeron skating.

Yes, heaven forbid Gabi tells us something that may alter our opinion of Gui and make us uncomfortable with enjoying or appreciating his skating. She should just be quiet and not speak up at all.

 

[Alilou]

I sincerely hope it doesn’t include anything that could be seen as too negative toward sports or Guillaume Cizeron — in the current cancel culture climate, that kind of thing can destroy reputations overnight. I want ot continue to enjoy Cizeron skating.

So the title of her memoir is "To Not Disappear" and yet here you are, already wanting her to just quietly disappear, not say too much, or too loudly. It would be altogether too much I suppose for her to publicly speak her truth. How dare she!

 

[dancefan17]

There were clearly problems and circumstances that contributed to poor mental and physical health for Gabi. It was probably very hard to write a memoir, and hopefully she is on a good and healing path. Having said that, he timing of the publication (right before the Olympics) certainly seems like there will be a lot of curiosity and media attention around her perspective. I hope she is prepared for that, and that it advances instead of impedes her health journey.

 

[angi]

I know everyone is talking about what will be told about Guillaume Cizeron and about the Montreal school and the environment they created, but I wonder what will be said about Didier Gailhaguet. He was the head of the FFSG for most of Gabi's professional career, and knowing what we know about him, I have to wonder what his contribution to her struggles was.

 

[Twilight1]

Everyone is entitled to speak their truth.

Drawing the curtain back on the ugly needs to happen for things to get better.

I am certainly interested in her perspective of 2017 and 2018 as a V&M fan.

If the truth turns out to be ugly, it doesn't impact me in the slightest but Gabi may heal and help another.

That is far more important than personal.feels.

 

[puglover]

There is so much now on record about the bad practices and harmful training techniques, I wish more skaters would include more about the positive ones and what worked for them. For example, there is a lot of pressure on weight and size, especially for females, but not everyone developed an eating disorder so how did they avoid it. The only one I can think of who shared a lot about her eating was Meagan Duhamel and she actually shared her recipes.

 

[Alilou]

There is so much now on record about the bad practices and harmful training techniques, I wish more skaters would include more about the positive ones and what worked for them. For example, there is a lot of pressure on weight and size, especially for females, but not everyone developed an eating disorder so how did they avoid it. The only one I can think of who shared a lot about her eating was Meagan Duhamel and she actually shared her recipes.

I think Megan was as passionate about being vegan as she was about skating.
While I can agree that more positive stories could be helpful, it's the negative ones that have to be brought to light, over and over, until the culture changes. Who of us thought originally that IAM would turn out to be problematic?

 

[puglover]

I am not for hiding the negative but I am uncomfortable with the expose` type where one person has their say and allegations are made, those accused do not have the same opportunity, we really don't know the context nor have any idea about the big picture but we make a judgement. I view long term skating teams as similar in ways to a long term marriage. Very young, of constant association and many years for resentments to build up on both sides.

 

[Debbie S]

I am not for hiding the negative but I am uncomfortable with the expose` type where one person has their say and allegations are made, those accused do not have the same opportunity, we really don't know the context nor have any idea about the big picture but we make a judgement. I view long term skating teams as similar in ways to a long term marriage. Very young, of constant association and many years for resentments to build up on both sides.

The book publisher likely required verification/corroboration of any 'allegations' in the book. They don't want to be sued.

 

[Allskate]

I am not for hiding the negative but I am uncomfortable with the expose` type where one person has their say and allegations are made, those accused do not have the same opportunity,

How is he being deprived of the opportunity to have his say? He can say whatever he wants. Address any issues Gabby raises, talk about how his current partnership was fate, talk about his friendships with other skaters, etc. Nothing stopping him.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Greetings from berlin squirrel friends.

I could not sleep and watched some of ice dance again. LFB and GC were just amazing.

@SkateFanBerlin do you want to grab coffee?

 

[annie_mg]

Greetings from berlin squirrel friends.

I could not sleep and watched some of ice dance again. LFB and GC were just amazing.

@SkateFanBerlin do you want to grab coffee?

I'm here too! And would love to. Sending you a PM

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I'm here too! And would love to. Sending you a PM

Responding to you

 

[Orm Irian]

The book publisher likely required verification/corroboration of any 'allegations' in the book. They don't want to be sued.

As the The Salt Path incident shows, not every memoir gets legalled to within an inch of its life the way a journalistic article would. Anything that involves specific allegations of criminal or unethical activity should, of course, even in a memoir. But also: it's a bit unfair to Gabi to assume from the outset that her memoir must be focused on the airing of grievances or making of allegations rather than the telling of her own life story - especially when its title is literally So as not to disappear.

 

[MsZem]

I sincerely hope it doesn’t include anything that could be seen as too negative toward sports or Guillaume Cizeron — in the current cancel culture climate, that kind of thing can destroy reputations overnight. I want ot continue to enjoy Cizeron skating.

Yes, heaven forbid Gabi tells us something that may alter our opinion of Gui and make us uncomfortable with enjoying or appreciating his skating. She should just be quiet and not speak up at all.

I can understand hoping that a skater one admires won't turn out to be the bad guy in someone's story. But Papadakis should certainly not be compelled to stay quiet because of that.

Having said that, he timing of the publication (right before the Olympics) certainly seems like there will be a lot of curiosity and media attention around her perspective. I hope she is prepared for that, and that it advances instead of impedes her health journey.

Well, this is when a memoir like this will sell... I assume she and whoever is working with her knows that there may be quite the frenzy (depending on the content of course).

 

[skategal]

So….is Gabi’s book going to have an English version or do I have to brush up on my French reading skills before January?

 

[Bigbird]

So….is Gabi’s book going to have an English version or do I have to brush up on my French reading skills before January?

I am hoping their will be both. But honestly, there is nothing to be shocked about. If anything parents and ladies should be warned or prepared; the power balance isn't within the favour of the woman in ice dance. Women and girls must know how to take a punch and also line up plans A and B. This is 2025, the men are the prize, women are disposable, so we must be very shrewd. I hope Gabbi has personally come to terms with this, and isn't writing the memoir with a victim mentality.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

As the The Salt Path incident shows, not every memoir gets legalled to within an inch of its life the way a journalistic article would. Anything that involves specific allegations of criminal or unethical activity should, of course, even in a memoir. But also: it's a bit unfair to Gabi to assume from the outset that her memoir must be focused on the airing of grievances or making of allegations rather than the telling of her own life story - especially when its title is literally So as not to disappear.

Speaking as someone who works in publishing, in general memoirs often don't get a lot of fact-checking. And yes, we have no idea what the focus of her book will be.

So….is Gabi’s book going to have an English version or do I have to brush up on my French reading skills before January?

So far it looks like it's only in French. It's also not yet listed on the website of the Quebec division of the book's publishing house.

 

[skategal]

Speaking as someone who works in publishing, in general memoirs often don't get a lot of fact-checking. And yes, we have no idea what the focus of her book will be.

So far it looks like it's only in French. It's also not yet listed on the website of the Quebec division of the book's publishing house.

Extra French practice for me then…

 

[kwanette]

Watching the GPdF free dance. Laurence needs to take up more space in the kiss-n-cry. The manspreading was a bit much.

She is used to it..Her previous partner "Manspread" better than anyone else. Yes, my friend and I discussed it.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Olivia Smart has started a podcast on her YouTube channel called The Untold Story of Being an Olympic Ice Dancer. She will be sharing her journey and the real stories behind the spotlight.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[litenkyckling]

I found this quite interesting and also quite savvy - in a world where personal brand is so important, doing this pre-Olympics is a good move. Plus, I love to be nosy and so I enjoy all the ice dance girlies who make vlogs! For a younger audience, I actually think this will do more to grow the audience as opposed to terrible RD themes. Knowing the athletes and rooting for them brings in viewers. That's why the likes of Drive to Survive worked - humanise your athletes, give fans something to support or something to get behind or a rivalry to choose a side in and an increase in viewers will follow.

On another note - I was also surprised at how surprised Olivia was about Adrian's retirement. Obviously we don't know what goes on behind closed doors but as someone from the outside looking in, his retirement was imminent. Especially because of the way that Madison was so open about retiring and wanting to get married and hinted at starting a family.

 

[Lara111]

I am hoping their will be both. But honestly, there is nothing to be shocked about. If anything parents and ladies should be warned or prepared; the power balance isn't within the favour of the woman in ice dance. Women and girls must know how to take a punch and also line up plans A and B. This is 2025, the men are the prize, women are disposable, so we must be very shrewd. I hope Gabbi has personally come to terms with this, and isn't writing the memoir with a victim mentality.

Well, maybe your experience was different, and of course you’re entitled to your view. But speaking from my own experience, I never felt that women or girls were treated as disposable. It’s actually very hard for both men and women in this sport to find a good partner with reasonable parents. Talented athletes of both genders are valued, appreciated, and genuinely cherished.

 

[Twilight1]

My husband was the only male skater in his "club" when he was younger. (80's)

He felt like he always had to be the centre for every skating carnival but had to change in the janitors closet and didn't actually have a change room. Giving him the feeling of being an outcast from the lens of a child.

Everyone just expected him to do all the pattern dances for their test skates even though he was barely a novice.

And he had what can only be seen now as a Tonya Harding mother, as a dad yelling at him to stay on the ice even when he was in pain.

Ironically, the thing that stuck out the most for him was the politicking even then. Before he would even go out with his partner, he was told where he would place. He knew before a blade hit the ice, that he could have the skate of his life and it would not matter.

He switched to hockey... then switched to refereeing and he said being a ref was his favourite thing and he kicks himself for leaving that.

Needles to say, my anecdote illustrated that abuse is not just a female phenomenon in the sport.

 

[clairecloutier]

I am hoping their will be both. But honestly, there is nothing to be shocked about. If anything parents and ladies should be warned or prepared; the power balance isn't within the favour of the woman in ice dance. Women and girls must know how to take a punch and also line up plans A and B. This is 2025, the men are the prize, women are disposable, so we must be very shrewd. I hope Gabbi has personally come to terms with this, and isn't writing the memoir with a victim mentality.

"Women and girls must know how to take a punch"???? WTH. Sorry, but even speaking metaphorically, this is an extremely unfortunate word choice at best.

Not thrilled with the posts here and elsewhere not-so-subtly implying that Gabi should shut the hell up so everyone can feel a little more comfortable with the very uncomfortable status quo of this sport.

 

[Lara111]

"Women and girls must know how to take a punch"???? WTH. Sorry, but even speaking metaphorically, this is an extremely unfortunate word choice at best.

Not thrilled with the posts here and elsewhere not-so-subtly implying that Gabi should shut the hell up so everyone can feel a little more comfortable with the very uncomfortable status quo of this sport.

Nobody need to shut up.I just find the timing of the book very strategic (rightly so) — released right before the Olympics. If its content casts any serious shade on Guillaume or the sport, it could have real consequences. Ice dance is such a nuanced and subjective discipline when it comes to scoring, and this could easily influence whether Guillaume receives the placement he deserves. Just a thought — I’m sure she would never intentionally hurt her partner of so many years.

 

[VGThuy]

I don’t even understand the point. I’d get it if one were to wish that Guillaume hasn’t done anything to warrant an expose in her book, so there’ll be none. However, it seems the wish is for there to be no expose regardless of whether he actually did something towards her to make her want to discuss it out of fear of how it may hurt his scores.

 

[Tesla]

Nobody need to shut up.I just find the timing of the book very strategic (rightly so) — released right before the Olympics. If its content casts any serious shade on Guillaume or the sport, it could have real consequences. Ice dance is such a nuanced and subjective discipline when it comes to scoring, and this could easily influence whether Guillaume receives the placement he deserves. Just a thought — I’m sure she would never intentionally hurt her partner of so many years.

But that's on the publisher. I'm sure Gabriella didn't tell them "publish it right before the Olympics." The publisher wants to make money, and the best time to do that with a skating memoir is right before the Olympics, especially if Guillaume makes it to the Olympics. Frankly, Guillaume's feelings should be at the bottom of the list.

 

[Lanie]

Well, maybe your experience was different, and of course you’re entitled to your view. But speaking from my own experience, I never felt that women or girls were treated as disposable. It’s actually very hard for both men and women in this sport to find a good partner with reasonable parents. Talented athletes of both genders are valued, appreciated, and genuinely cherished.

Phebe Bekker told me to please keep my son in skating because boys are 'gold dust'... I think there's definitely a power imbalance with so few boys in the sport because a lot of them go to hockey.

Boys are indispensable. We hear so much of guys getting away with garbage, abusive behavior because they are guys and there are only so many of them around, so keep them and coddle them and give them everything. Pay for their training costs, their rent, whatever, as long as they skate with your daughter! The stories I've heard, things I've seen, are pretty terrible. I am sure for those of us who've experienced it whatever Gabi says about the situation will ring true because it's just so damn common.

One of the rinks Mini and I skate at offers a scholarship for boys to stay in the sport. He gets bullied mercilessly in school for being into skating but he likes it, so he's started up again

 

[Twilight1]

I am happy Gabi is doing this. I totally support burn it to the ground honesty. If she burns people I liked, so be it. With power comes corruption and IAM may need a reckoning.

And the book of course is going to come out before the Olympics because she is an Olympic champion and people will be interested in her story thus better profits.

I just wish my French didn't suck so much.