Duchesnay & Duchesnay (FRA) - 1992 Albertville, Ice Dancing, Free Dance

Albertville, FRANCE - 1992 Winter Games, Ice Dancing, Free Dance - Isabelle and Paul Duchesnay of France skated a somewhat disjointed Free Dance to the music of West Side Story. They placed 2nd in the Free Dance and won the Silver Medal.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Duchesnay
• 1992
• figure
• skating

[1andonlyCobra]

Can someone explain to me how they couldn't win gold being in 2nd after OD? I thought since FD was 50%, top 2 teams entering FD controlled own destiny?

[3Axel1996]

@1andonlyCobra That's because they were 3rd after the 2 compulsory dances that counted for 20% of the overall score. Klimova & Ponomareko were 1st after the compulsory dances. The Duchesnays had to win the OD in order to be in contention for the Gold Medal. Placing 2nd in the OD eliminated their ability to easily win the Gold. 3rd in CD and 2nd in OD, they would have needed K&P to finish in 3rd or lower in the Free Dance in order for them to win the Gold.

[intldawn]

Well, I see the appeal, kind of. But I don't think this should have beaten Usova and Zhulin. While innovative and edgy, this dance was a little confusing to me and Isabelle seemed so unsteady on her feet many times throughout. U & Z skated a much coherent and creative program that suited the music brilliantly and did so with the classic Soviet technique and style. I just think U & Z should have been second, without a doubt.

[Cirene71]

I find him a brilliant dancer. She isn't at his level

[MultiValmont]

@miniaturesun Isabelle got flu during the competition. She had cough and it was impossible to get drugs because of controls.

[libralady1010]

@kindanice101 I 'm not certain about this but I think this was the first time they performed it;illnesses,tragedy-their brother Gaston died-and as was stated during the telecast, they lost a lot of training time.Of course one could argue they changed their FD from 1991 Europeans to 1991 Worlds and won Gold there. Worlds' aren't the same as Olympics though.

[libralady1010]

@Cirene71 He IS good. Isabelle isn't anywhere, nor ever was near his skills. He carried them. No question And while she made a lot-A LOT- of money in the USA she said she wouuld never want to live there ,let alone raise her child in the States. Interesting: Paul coaches in the United States, so apparently he doesn't have the extreme dislike that she has for a country that's been good to her.

[1andonlyCobra]

@3Axel1996 OK just like T/D had to win OD in Lillehammer, which of course they did and thus controlled their own destiny.

[LavendersRed]

Some great comments here. And whilst i agree that they had flaws and they weren't perfect, i just found them captivating. They always seemed like they were skating for their lives. And it's thrilling to watch. I loved them.

[kindanice101]

really great comments here. I remember this vividly. Yes, she had an attitude...remember they were under immense pressure of skating in their home country. I agree with comments that technically, she just wasn't up to par with the Russian women. One thing I will say...Paul was sure sultry and hot! lol

[miniaturesun]

Isabelle really had an attitude here. She practically stomped out onto the ice. She seemed to be sulking because she knew they no longer had a chance at the gold  medal.