The Skating Lesson

[Anyasnake]

I think the 200pts WR by PC was mentionned on CBC. I saw the recap with Carol Lane after the SD and they specifically talked about the rivalry between VM and PC.

Also, I think in France PC don't do as many interviews as VM because figure skating isn't a very popular sport. I think though that their popularity is growing, they are being noticed more and more thanks to their multiple titles and records. The Olympic Games should multiply this by 1000 imo. We'll see.

Okay, I didn't know if it had been mentionned, thank you

Some time ago it was relatively popular... Brian Joubert is quite known in France for sure, but there is more a history with Ice Dance. It took 6 years after Annissina/Peizerat OGM for a Euro/World title by Del/Shoes. But then it was a North America domination and I think not winning world titles didn't make french news channel talk about skating too much (even though there was 2+ European titles). And things weren't too good heading into Sochi and at the end of the 2014 season (P/B didn't win worlds or OBM). So the interest dropped.
So when P/C started winning almost everything out of the blue they had to adapt more, because they had no information on who they were. It's still only when there is Euros or Worlds but it's getting better especially this year. When they win Euros or Worlds it's the very first news on the major French channel, even when they were 2nd actually (I think they like P/C a lot ).
I expect a mega boost after Korea too. There is always an increase in popularity after the Olympics.
Skating is still not considered as a "credible" sport in France, even by some skaters themselves because of things like costumes or weird programs, not the skating itself. That's why I hope a lot of people tune in for the Ice Dance competition for the Olys this season : it feels more modern, fresh, very accurate and very diversed. The casual viewer could really like it.

 

[Miloune]

Okay, I didn't know if it had been mentionned, thank you

Some time ago it was relatively popular... Brian Joubert is quite known in France for sure, but there is more a history with Ice Dance. It took 6 years after Annissina/Peizerat OGM for a Euro/World title by Del/Shoes. But then it was a North America domination and I think not winning world titles didn't make french news channel talk about skating too much (even though there was 2+ European titles). And things weren't too good heading into Sochi and at the end of the 2014 season (P/B didn't win worlds or OBM). So the interest dropped.
So when P/C started winning almost everything out of the blue they had to adapt more, because they had no information on who they were. It's still only when there is Euros or Worlds but it's getting better especially this year. When they win Euros or Worlds it's the very first news on the major French channel, even when they were 2nd actually (I think they like P/C a lot ).
I expect a mega boost after Korea too. There is always an increase in popularity after the Olympics.
Skating is still not considered as a "credible" sport in France, even by some skaters themselves because of things like costumes or weird programs, not the skating itself. That's why I hope a lot of people tune in for the Ice Dance competition for the Olys this season : it feels more modern, fresh, very accurate and very diversed. The casual viewer could really like it.

Lol yes it reminds me of Pechalat's comments. She's happy when a team is doing a program with a modern feel to it, she says that it can show people that the sport isn't just kitch costumes and boring classical music anymore... she really wants figure skating to gain in popularity. But like we said, the OG should help.

 

[barbarafan]

I think the 200pts WR by PC was mentionned on CBC. I saw the recap with Carol Lane after the SD and they specifically talked about the rivalry between VM and PC.

Also, I think in France PC don't do as many interviews as VM because figure skating isn't a very popular sport. I think though that their popularity is growing, they are being noticed more and more thanks to their multiple titles and records. The Olympic Games should multiply this by 1000 imo. We'll see.

I would be very careful of anything Carole says about any team. She has never been happy about VM's comeback and said on national television that there was no point in other teams continuing. and voila a bunch of teams quit. She has been better this year(there were complaints last year) but the only team that exists for her is her team..G/P and her commentary reflects. Her knowledge of technique is however brilliant.

 

[Anyasnake]

I would be very careful of anything Carole says about any team. She has never been happy about VM's comeback and said on national television that there was no point in other teams continuing. and voila a bunch of teams quit. She has been better this year(there were complaints last year) but the only team that exists for her is her team..G/P and her commentary reflects. Her knowledge of technique is however brilliant.

Okay, I'm not the only one ! When she was praising so much V/M this year I thought "what's going on ? did I misunderstood anything last year ?". But Olympic season is here... gotta root for Canada #1 no matter what. I think she was panicking a bit for G/P to lose their Olympic spot (since Paul/Islam weren't yet retired even though they weren't skating at G/P's level).

 

[Miloune]

I would be very careful of anything Carole says about any team. She has never been happy about VM's comeback and said on national television that there was no point in other teams continuing. and voila a bunch of teams quit. She has been better this year(there were complaints last year) but the only team that exists for her is her team..G/P and her commentary reflects. Her knowledge of technique is however brilliant.

Hahaha don't worry I know where Carol Lane stands... .
But now that I think about it, it was in the commentary of COC that she mentionned the rivalry and the world record of PC, not NHK (haven't watched it yet). My bad!

 

[marbri]

It was discussed in NHK commentary because they were talking about the real competition being between V/M and P/C and that while they haven't competed against each other yet you do compare the numbers and the French broke the 200 pts the week earlier.

 

[Isabelle.G]

I only saw the CBC version of MR FD and at the end of they talk about the WR of P/C and the amount of 10s V/M received at NHK and P/C at CoC. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1AnEKQNF-M )

Thank you for the information about how it is in France. Now I see it's similar to my country. The only time in recent history figure skating was talked about at least a bit was last year when 'we' hosted the European Championship. The buzz disappeared as quickly as the champ. ended.

 

[Interludes]

I really like Jonathan on the show but I find that he gets cut off a lot, and I'm often left wondering what he was going to say but it's never returned to. He's getting better about making sure his thoughts come across but there are still many times where he isn't able to finish a thought.

 

[WildRose]

Oh for pity’s sake. I can’t believe that anyone thinks a few whacko ubers are representative of Canadians as a whole. Of course CBC talks about P&C and we are well aware of the rivalry and scoring records. Carol Lane says both teams are great and that either team could win the Olympics and it would be a fair result. Don’t forget both these teams train in Canada with Canadian coaches. I figure either way we win

 

[all_empty]

I really like Jonathan on the show but I find that he gets cut off a lot, and I'm often left wondering what he was going to say but it's never returned to. He's getting better about making sure his thoughts come across but there are still many times where he isn't able to finish a thought.

Dave is notorious for cutting people off. It's one of the things you learn NOT to do in interviews.

But it also might be the technology. I'm constantly cutting off coworkers during teleconferences. Unintentionally, of course.

 

[marbri]

I because someone told me to watch the ice dance section (thankfully the link showed where to fast forward) and I was amused that they both seemed to be grovelling a bit because of some backlash they felt from "Canadians" coming out of the woodwork at them and then finished it up by dissing the Hip exhibition. Still undecided if that was intentional or not

 

[Anyasnake]

I because someone told me to watch the ice dance section (thankfully the link showed where to fast forward) and I was amused that they both seemed to be grovelling a bit because of some backlash they felt from "Canadians" coming out of the woodwork at them and then finished it up by dissing the Hip exhibition. Still undecided if that was intentional or not

I found Dave so much more reserved than usual on critics about Ice Dance at least on V/M, I think he got way too surprised by the backlash. Jonathan couldn't care less though, and I felt that Dave was trying to stop him at times.
They criticize everyone usually, but that backfired at him. However he does praise V/M as the better skaters everytime.

 

[sap5]

I expect a mega boost after Korea too. There is always an increase in popularity after the Olympics.
Skating is still not considered as a "credible" sport in France, even by some skaters themselves because of things like costumes or weird programs, not the skating itself. That's why I hope a lot of people tune in for the Ice Dance competition for the Olys this season : it feels more modern, fresh, very accurate and very diversed. The casual viewer could really like it.

There's a part of me that thinks P/C should win Oly gold just for popularity to increase again in France and Europe. When those joke plastic medals were handed out at last year's GPF, it made it look like FFSG and French skating was in horrible shape. Some of those medals fell off their ribbons before the skaters had even left the arena! The whole thing just looked embarrassing.

 

[VGThuy]

I also couldn't believe there was no closing banquet for the skaters.

 

[sap5]

Since the begining of the season, P/C ubers have drastically stopped some mockery (barring the 2 morons on YouTube with 100 accounts each).

Maybe it's just 2 people, but often it seems like it's actually two hundred. Olympic season always brings out the craziness and the arguments of the lowest common denominator, and I see both from fans of both P/C and V/M on fan boards and everywhere else. I certainly don't feel like one group is doing less than the other. I try to avoid the insanity altogether by ignoring what fans are doing and keeping the focus on programs, and their performances. Its such a subjective sport that it can be hard to remember that the only thing that counts is whether your fave(s) are performing the best they can under the circumstances and are happy with how things are going.

 

[kittysk8ts]

Maybe it's just 2 people, but often it seems like it's actually two hundred. Olympic season always brings out the craziness and the arguments of the lowest common denominator, and I see both from fans of both P/C and V/M on fan boards and everywhere else. I certainly don't feel like one group is doing less than the other. I try to avoid the insanity altogether by ignoring what fans are doing and keeping the focus on programs, and their performances. Its such a subjective sport that it can be hard to remember that the only thing that counts is whether your fave(s) are performing the best they can under the circumstances and are happy with how things are going.

This sport brings me joy AND sorrow. I have threatened on my occasions over the last 30 years to abandon it. Yet here I am, LOL.

 

[Nmsis]

There's a part of me that thinks P/C should win Oly gold just for popularity to increase again in France and Europe. When those joke plastic medals were handed out at last year's GPF, it made it look like FFSG and French skating was in horrible shape. Some of those medals fell off their ribbons before the skaters had even left the arena! The whole thing just looked embarrassing.

This is not just a question of popularity.
The cancellation of the 2015 TEB left a big financial hole as the french fed had to financially absorb all the costs on its own.
And then the FFSG sued Bompard when he asked for some money back.
Like it's a good idea to bicker with and sue your longtime and main sponsor. (and this is soooo attractive to other possible sponsors )
I have no clue about where the french fed stands now, money-wise.
But I think they will be less ... in a resilient state of mind (if that makes sense).

 

[kittysk8ts]

The cancellation of the 2015 TEB left a big financial hole as the french fed had to financially absorb all the costs on its own.

Very true. That had to hurt. I love the GP event in France, no matter the sponsor.

 

[sap5]

This is not just a question of popularity.
The cancellation of the 2015 TEB left a big financial hole as the french fed had to financially absorb all the costs on its own.
And then the FFSG sued Bompard when he asked for some money back.
Like it's a good idea to bicker with and sue your longtime and main sponsor. (and this is soooo attractive to other possible sponsors )
I have no clue about where the french fed stands now, money-wise.
But I think they will be less ... in a resilient state of mind (if that makes sense).

Well, a win by P/C wouldn't do all that much good for French skating overall if the real problem is that FFSG doesn't know how to manage itself and take advantage of that win.

 

[Anyasnake]

Very true. That had to hurt. I love the GP event in France, no matter the sponsor.

The reason for the cancellation was the worst thing that happened... they had no choice. All the legal things that came after seemed volatile...

I think it's a good thing that they are moving to a smaller venue (Grenoble) this year, and it's an area much more interested in Winter sport and figure skating. It's 1h30 drive away from Lyon, one of France's biggest figure skating cities (with Grenoble actually). Grenoble is going to host the 2017, 2018 and 2019 TDF. That's a beginning.
I'm hoping for a brand new sponsor after the Games... (Lacoste maybe ? since they sponsor french French winter Olympic team already)

 

[sap5]

The reason for the cancellation was the worst thing that happened... they had no choice.

If I remember correctly, Bompard originally didn't want to cancel, but FFSG didn't hold up their part of the contract. Was it that FFSG was supposed to inform Bompard that they wanted to renew but didn't get around to it in time? I don't remember the details anymore.

 

[meggonzo]

The skating lesson shared an article on Facebook about Ashley Wagner, and she said she was injured right before 2016 Worlds. She didn't announce it at the time, and TSL must have tweeted something at the time and Ashley tweeted back that she wasn't injured and that they were stirring the pot. So now Dave is all smug that he was right! Ugh.

 

[Nmsis]

If I remember correctly, Bompard originally didn't want to cancel, but FFSG didn't hold up their part of the contract. Was it that FFSG was supposed to inform Bompard that they wanted to renew but didn't get around to it in time? I don't remember the details anymore.

The government issued a decree starting the state of emergency and all the sport events around Paris and the bigger sport events in France had to be cancelled. The FFSG wanted to try to have the competition behind closed doors but the Ministère de l'Intérieur (Home Security) said no.
They didn't have a choice. And insurances don't cover risks of terrorist attacks.

ETA : I'm still talking about 2015. 2016 was a different story.

 

[rhapsody]

If I remember correctly, Bompard originally didn't want to cancel, but FFSG didn't hold up their part of the contract. Was it that FFSG was supposed to inform Bompard that they wanted to renew but didn't get around to it in time? I don't remember the details anymore.

Several things. The federation never returned any emails or calls from Bompard about the event by the summer of 2016 (Didier was probably too busy trying to run for ISU president). Bompard terminated the sponsorship shortly afterward. IIRC, Bompard was also pissed that the Bordeaux arena wasn't ready and the promotion was crap when they were forced to move the 2014 competition while the Bercy Arena was being renovated for the 2024 Olympic bid. He was also originally pissed that they lied to him and held the competition in Bordeaux again the following year even though the Paris arena renovation was complete (in retrospect, a good thing considering the terrorist attack would have been a few blocks away from the competition had it been at Bercy). Basically just incompetence by the higher ups (cough Didier cough) in the French Ice Sports Federation.

 

[sap5]

The government issued a decree starting the state of emergency and all the sport events around Paris and the bigger sport events in France had to be cancelled. The FFSG wanted to try to have the competition behind closed doors but the Ministère de l'Intérieur (Home Security) said no.
They didn't have a choice. And insurances don't cover risks of terrorist attacks.

ETA : I'm still talking about 2015. 2016 was a different story.

Thanks Nmsis. I don't think I was following skating in 2015, so I was only remembering the 2016 events.

 

[Nmsis]

Found the icenetwork article from 2016 where Bompard talked about the end of his sponsorship.

 

[overedge]

From the link quoted above by @Nmsis, quotes from M. Bompard:

Then in 2015, they said it would be held in Bordeaux again, although the Paris arena had reopened. The competition was cancelled halfway (through), after the terrorist attacks in Paris -- except all the funds we had given were not cancelled at all! None of it came back to us.

Throughout last spring, we tried to figure out whether the Trophée would take place at all in 2016, after these two years. We inquired with the French federation. I suppose that people then were focusing on the ISU elections (where Didier Gailhaguet, the president of the French Federation of Ice Sports, was one of the candidates). Nothing came back. We wrote at the start of the summer to say that it was more than time for us to make our own decision and commitment. We got no answer. We couldn't wait any longer, so I decided that we had done our time.

Everything has to come to an end, I suppose. I have no regrets, except the process itself. The pain won't last, but all this could have happened in a much better way. It's not worth doing all we did to be left out the way we were."

So not only did FFSG neglect to respond to Bompard, they also (allegedly) kept Bompard's sponsorship money for the competition that was cancelled. Nice

 

[GreatLakesGal]

Does anyone know what is going on between Dave/Jonathan and Kori/Rohene?

Jonathan tweeted: "I’m crying in a bathroom in Grenoble. Because Kori Ade and Rohene Ward are assholes. They wrote me 300 Facebook messages about what a terrible fraudulent person I am. It hurts. I never want to be involved with this sport again."

And Dave tweeted: "Jonathan, you are a wonderful person and a great addition to the sport. You are not the first they’ve tried to manipulate." And then followed this up with more tweets dissing Kori & Rohene.

At one time Lease and Ade seemed to be great buddies. What happened?

 

[Wyliefan]

Good grief!

 

[Willin]

@GreatLakesGal I've never heard anything negative about Kori. In fact, I've heard that she's just as nice as Jason (unless she's stressed, in which case she just doesn't want to interact with others much). As for Rohene, Kori's admitted that he can be a bit flaky or overdramatic at times, but that seems to be only during practice/choreography.

I wouldn't imagine that either would send unsolicited nasty messages. Ie. I could imagine Kori sending a message defending her skaters or telling them not to be so harsh, but she's not just going to be nasty for no reason. In fact, I could see her defending skaters that are not her own. I seem to remember her also being somewhat upset about rumors that Mariah left her on bad terms, as the split was mutual (I think it was Dave spreading that rumor?). Based on what Kori's said about Rohene, I could imagine he could be nasty when prompted to, but again, I don't think he'd do it for no reason - especially to someone he hasn't heard of. TBH, with how nasty Johnathan and Dave are, I don't care if Kori or Rohene sent them something about not bashing their skaters because it's probably entirely warranted. I haven't been watching TSL this season, but I'd imagine they've said some downright awful stuff about skaters. (Although, since I doubt the messages were that nasty, or that there were 300(!) of them, I would like to see his receipts. Not his edited version if he's posted it, like the actual conversations in their entirety).

EDIT: ugh. I was going through the TSL and Johnathan's twitter to try and figure out what happened. There's literally no receipts, no screenshots, no NOTHING but his tweet and suddenly everyone's acting like he's a victim of a crime. There's no evidence that anything happened but his single tweet. TSL fans are crazy, man