French Masters - Villard de Lans - Aug 28-30, 2025

[tony]

Gonna be in the opinion of very few but I REALLY like this. Choreography is sharp, they both use their bodies very effectively with unexpected shapes and changes of position and edge. I like the one-foot step choreography too where they opt to do the elements out of order and he has a glorious long held edge. This is the only program today that felt fresh and not fill in the blank to the same predictable elements.

The posture and the flow is better than quite a few of the teams we currently have at the top, and the choreography is certainly more intricate. I wouldn’t be upset if they threw everyone for a twist.

Let’s see if they actually get the time deduction.

 

[tony]

What is the costume deduction one judge is taking? His pants are too tight?

 

[Kateri]

OK, fine, that was amazing. I've missed seeing ice dancers who can dance on ice, all right? To the music. That was lovely.

 

[clairecloutier]

I guess we now have an answer to the question of whether Guillaume would change anything creatively to reflect the fact that he’s actually skating with a different partner.

 

[Kateri]

She was really incredible, better than him, IMO.

 

[marbri]

Surprised by how much I really enjoyed that. Not afraid to say it either

 

[Wyliefan]

That was a LOT better than their RD. I could do without the dark gray costumes and lugubrious music, but the choreography suited them and they skated it really well.

 

[Kateri]

That was a LOT better than their RD. I could do without the dark gray costumes and lugubrious music, but the choreography suited them and they skated it really well.

I think the music being a total nothing made it more impressive to me. They expressed every note, and made it interesting. I've missed that.

 

[taz'smum]

It's been so long since I've seen dancing at this level, that was beautiful!

 

[Marta24]

Ok. It was good.

Still miss Gabi though

 

[marbri]

That was a LOT better than their RD. I could do without the dark gray costumes and lugubrious music, but the choreography suited them and they skated it really well.

It's from the movie Whale right? I am guessing they are two gray whales, albeit very lovely whales

 

[Marta24]

Only 130? After yesterday, I was sure they would break 136 in the FD.

 

[marbri]

Ok. It was good.

Still miss Gabi though

Controversial I know but I think the program works for me because it isn't Gabby. Gabby and Guillaume were both "artistes" so this style got stale after a while. Laurence brings a different energy and it comes through making this work, for me.

Interesting debut. Certainly set the cat amongst the pigeons. But looks like so far we have some variety amongst the top so will be interesting to view them against each other.

 

[cholla]

Laurence brings a different energy and it comes through making this work, for me.

I sooo agree with you. I certainly didn't expect her to be so good. Technically she was already extremely good. But I really didn't expect her to come up on par with Cizeron on all the rest. I'm happily surprised.

 

[victorskid]

I sooo agree with you. I certainly didn't expect her to be so good. Technically she was already extremely good. But I really didn't expect her to come up on par with Cizeron on all the rest. I'm happily surprised.

Has there been any update on the process for her to obtain French citizenship? I believe she had said it was "underway".

 

[taz'smum]

Has there been any update on the process for her to obtain French citizenship? I believe she had said it was "underway".

Don't worry, she'll get it in time.

 

[marbri]

Don't worry, she'll get it in time.

Now that shocks me more than how well they skate together

 

[victorskid]

Don't worry, she'll get it in time.

I suspected as much....

 

[PRlady]

Well yes that was gorgeous. Their lines match beautifully. I now think Lolo was held back all those years with a partner not up to her abilities.

L/B’s program will grow over the season; few liked last year’s in its first outing.

 

[Marta24]

I'm glad that this year's Masters went much better for Loïcia and Théo. Last year they lost against D/N, while this year they managed to beat L/B in the FD. Hopefully, this means a better season for them, even if their season is done after Euros.

 

[peibeck]

Thank goodness F-B/Ciz's FD is miles ahead of that overscored SD. I find them much better matched here, but still don't see much (or any) chemistry. The one foot sequence is very lovely, and it was well skated throughout, but I don't see it as "innovative" as some people here; a lot to like and I'll be interested in seeing how they develop it throughout the season.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I find them much better matched here, but still don't see much (or any) chemistry.

That’s because they can’t use props, which means no mirror.

 

[peibeck]

That’s because they can’t use props, which means no mirror.

 

[marbri]

Thank goodness F-B/Ciz's FD is miles ahead of that overscored SD. I find them much better matched here, but still don't see much (or any) chemistry. The one foot sequence is very lovely, and it was well skated throughout, but I don't see it as "innovative" as some people here; a lot to like and I'll be interested in seeing how they develop it throughout the season.

Speaking for myself I don't think it's innovative.

But I enjoyed it and it was over before I expected.

 

[clairecloutier]

Speaking for myself I don't think it's innovative.

But I enjoyed it and it was over before I expected.

Sure sign of a good program!

 

[cholla]

Has there been any update on the process for her to obtain French citizenship? I believe she had said it was "underway".

I asked her @ the press conference and she said all papers were done in due time and that now she keeps her fingers crossed for the process to be sped up. I'm pretty sure French fed would never have invested so much on them if they were all not sure she'll be naturalized on time.

 

[skatfan]

Ok, despite me not wanting to support FB/C because of history, that FD is really good - it's not even September and it looks great. She is particular benefits from this pairing. Wow! Not much of a fan of the RD, but I guess they have time to rework things there if they choose.

 

[TAHbKA]

L/B's music choices looked much more daring than their choreo ended up looking. And yes they are opening that door wide open to let FBC overtake them as #1.

Аt this point I don't really understand why are they France n.2. Perhaps it looks different live, but both Nabis' and leMercier's programmes were over within a minute, Lopareva's lasted for 10 minutes

 

[TAHbKA]

FouBeau/Cizeron - the only thing I disliked is her choice of hair style. It ruins the lines, in the rotational lift it looks like he is rotating a broomstick. It doesnt' allow to see whether she does any head moves (for example in the last twizzle Cizeron throws his head back, with all that hair on the way I can't say what does she do). Can she just tie it into a knot and let us enjoy her lines? I do remember she used to have them

Loved the programme, well, loved Cizeron goes without saying.

 

[alj5]

I also enjoyed FB&C's free dance more than I expected to. Agree with TAHbKA that her hair was distracting to me.

For me, it is missing the intimacy that this style of program requires. I'm hoping this gets better with more time together and miles on the performance quality. The rotational lift in the first half was the highlight of the half (which I hope will be tweaked to set up the intimacy that is missing for me), but the last half is really good. The choreography, their intensity, and the music build toward the end. As always, they are extremely talented technical dancers.