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.

[@scrumptious2k1]

So this is what Ice DANCE used to be. That was a beautifully choreographed prgram that went with the music.

[@thesovgc]

I think after almost 45 years, I finally have a guilty pleasure 😭

[@susanleatherbarrow2495]

I don't t care if it was n't the most flawless performance; it was bloody brilliant and l would rather watch these two than K & P any day.

[@mariea5898]

Super dur, les pauvres, on voit qu'ils "se trainent". Mais que c'est intense! Quelle chorégraphie, quelle vitesse de patinage pour l'époque. J'aime ! C'est original, moderne. Bravo à eux et à C Dean, le chorégraphe !

[@nuno7588]

"Qu'ils se traînent"? Connaissez-vous le sens du verbe "se traîner". Manifestement non! C'est vous qui "traînez" de la tête", ça c'est sûr.

[@janyshendrickson3833]

I remember watching this routine in '92 and thought it was fantastic. There was so much criticism that "they had sold out and gone mainstream" with the music choice and the choreography. I did not agree with the criticism them, and I do not agree with that sentiment today, 30 years later. Always an original, athletic, semi-pair style dance team. Loved them then, still do.

[@user-kf6zg1pq3u]

Им даже серебра было много. Этот танец пародия на настоящую «Вестайдскую» сезона 77/78 г. от Моисеевой и Миненкова. А шикарное исполнение танца под музыку Баха показала этим французишкам,а кто настоящий чемпион. Даже Кристофер,говоря о Климовой и Пономаренко,заметил,что очень хорошие чемпионы. И танцы это многоборье. Так вот кататать обязательные танцы без ошибок брат с сестрой не умели. Вы думаете,что Мартин Скотницки хороший тренер? Он просто ремесленник. А серебро должно было быть у Усовой/Жулина.

[@Gabi-kh1ez]

Gqgq GF g%daqgfacdas Polen be(,, STSee

[@Gabi-kh1ez]

Gqgq GF g%daqgfacdas Polen be(,, STSeeSTSeeq

[@Blazhevino]

Наскоько были музыкальны Моисеева-Миненков с этой же музыкой, а эти словно дикари в джунглях от зверей прячутся.

[@thesovgc]

I've never seen anyone falling on purpose in the name of choreography 😭😭

[@sgsmozart]

This is so much better than all the stupid "twizzles" in ice dancing today...

[@ciasautter1710]

The should have one for sheer innovation alone. I recall being very sick during this olympics, so remember the competition. The Russian couple that one was blah - good but predictable ballet one ice. The judges always hated anything but ballet, and this was one of the routines that change the course of the choreography for ice dance.

[@dariatrucko-stochmal3915]

You are 100 percent right

[@mariezou7460]

J'adore, Ils sont inoubliables, ce sont les meilleurs, et les plus originaux du patinage en couple, Papadakis et Cizeron sont excellents mais moins creatifs.

[@user-wz9fz3yb1q]

Молодец

[@user-fj3br6cv6h]

Великолепный танец,интереснейшая хореография Кристофера Дина!ни одного не "протанцованного" кусочка музыки,все смены темпа,ритма-все "прожито",очень органично!очень жаль,что не золото!!

[@kikimente1085]

А ошибок их не заметили? Для точного исполнения, и серебро было много.

[@user-fj3br6cv6h]

Нуу!😊видимо Вы большой специалист!😊а я-нет,просветите меня😊

[@user-fj3br6cv6h]

Пожалуйста,формулируйте Ваши мысли грамотно,чтобы можно было понять их😊

[@kikimente1085]

@@user-fj3br6cv6h в этой программе они допустили три ошибки, да и программа явно проигрывала российской паре. С таким прокатом, они должны были проиграть, второй российской паре.

[@user-fj3br6cv6h]

Слишком много запятых...😊

[@gariiir1923]

Много элементов музыка ни какая перебор полнейший второй раз смотреть не охота!

[@alethferret2035]

Revoir les Duchesnay des JO trente ans après, c'est comprendre que les juges leur ont fait un sacré cadeau. Le programme, réalisé par un Dean peu inspiré, est une pâle copie de l'inoubliable Missing. Isabelle était malade et se traîne sur la glace. Ça a dû être pénible pour elle et c''est pénible à voir. Paul soutient courageusement sa soeur mais il ne pouvait pas tout faire tout seul. Ils auraient dû être éjectés du podium, objectivement. Mais ils etaient champions du monde en titre et concouraient pour la France -en France ...

[@lynnlobliner3933]

They should have represented the future of ice dancing; however, after they left it went bland again. I haven't watched since mid 90s - has there really been anyone as dynamic as they were (with the best unusual choice of music)? Rhetorical question because I never come back and read repllies.

[@3Axel1996]

It didn't help that the 1992/1993 ISU Congress voted to adopt rule changes in Ice Dancing to make the programs reflect a more traditional style of ice dance than the modern that was what the Duchesnays represented.

[@user-mo1ib7eu7b]

Как можно было поставить этих корявых , рваных , резких и не эстетичных ,выше гениальных Усовой и Жулина .

[@lindafrederick2461]

I don't think this music fit them at all. They are more dramatic. What was Chris Thinking?

[@user-jg4zs4oh6w]

Раньше , они катались лучше.За такое катание им третье или четвертое место надо было дать.

[@tarolyatarolya1230]

Какая корявая партнерша, она едет только на двух ногах и машет руками, как мельница. Это было очень плохо.

[@dariatrucko-stochmal3915]

From 1988 to 1992, Isabelle and Paul Duchesnay were the world's best-driving ice dance couple. Unfortunately, the Russian figure dance lobby was so strong that the judges, under great pressure, judged the French pair wrong. The programs of the French were revolutionary. They gave freshness to this ossified discipline. And coming back to the Olympics in Albertville, we saw the hypocrisy of both the judges and the Klimova/Ponomarenko couple. Their arrangement was a modified arrangement of Torvill/Dean and the Duchesnay siblings. While the couple from France was criticized for being too innovative in choreography, in the case of the Russian couple this novelty was no longer a problem. Moreover, Duchesnay's artistic expression was honest, complementing both the music and the choreography. The Russian "experience", facial expressions and gestures were so artificial that they hurt. And finally, the dance of all time was Isabelle and Paul Duchesnay's free routine at the World Figure Skating Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA - 1990. I think even better than Bolero Torvill/Dean in Sarajevo.

[@user-pm7sw9pw6m]

1. Klimova/Ponomarenko 5.8/6.0 2.Grischuk/Platov 5.9/5.9 3.Usova/Zhulin 5.6/6.0 4.Rahkamo/Kokko 5.6/5.8 5.Duchesnay/Duchesnay 5.4/5.9

[@coldenbluu]

I think their creative choreography and energy brought a new look of ice dancing, but to be very honest they're still nowhere near K&P both technically and artistically. Christopher Dean really did a great job on them.

[@susanleatherbarrow2495]

Is it just me or does anyone else find K & P brilliant but boring?!!

[@thesovgc]

​@@susanleatherbarrow2495me! They don't have the stunning line that U/Z do

[@hyperborean72]

This is so ugly compared to Usova - Zhulin... I feel nausea looking at them

[@valerieteti1755]

Awful choreography I don’t care that it was Christopher Dean. This looked like a junior level performance.

[@thesovgc]

It's so bad to the point of comedy. I legitimately can't get enough 😭

[@realayottepianisteetarrang6818]

Tout à fait remarquable pour ce couple que plusieurs patineurs et patineuses actuelles devraient observer pour la créativité de leurs mouvements.

[@theafitzpatrick8415]

I loved the Duchesnays, my all time favorites! It was not meant for them to win the Gold, but the Silver was a great accomplishment. Isabelle was ill, but Paul, the driving force of this duo, skated fantastically and took care of his sister. No matter what, these two were a team, and never would have skated with anyone else. No one can ever take away their accomplishments!

[@josieshy2376]

Well said! You expressed it so beautifully - he truly took care of her!

[@susanleatherbarrow2495]

I agree . They are the most exciting couple to watch if not the most graceful

[@renatalimarzi]

Just wonderful! They always have represented the future of ice dancing. Still remembered for their unique talent, so innovative and modern. They were incredible on ice...

[@gracefingers]

I completely agree...the thing about them is in their dances he had his time to dance and she had hers...but really he was the soul of that team!

[@sjcno1fancoppell830]

Genius choreography, brilliant performers.

[@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.

[@ilianatersy9839]

i remember it well. that was beautiful.

[@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.

[@josieshy2376]

She was ill with the flu and very nervous. At 0.25, she's coughing, if you mean that. I'm certain she wasn't sulking. I loved watching them skate but it also broke my heart knowing what they had been through during that season... Skating with injuries and a fever (or a partner who's ill) must be a nightmare and they managed bravely.

[@elainecheatham1678]

I watched again with awe!. Christopher Dean was their coach. They were really beautiful, but never got the recognition. Their choreography was fantastic. I remember them well!

[@tally1604]

the choreography is very nice with well-timed highlight moves, and they skated the program expertly. all three medal routines were first class from that olympics, something that can't be said of any games before or since.

[@josieshy2376]

I like drama queens... Keep in mind, she had the flu, no wonder she was miserable. She was simply relieved being through it, I guess. Paul holding and comforting her is so sweet!

[@petramarx-abend5737]

I lived in Paris at the time I remembered the next morning in the metro all the French people were upset that the French team didn't win

[@bindi06]

I know people say Isabelle skated with an attitude, but I kinda don't blame her. To know that just before you even begin your program, you have no chance for gold anymore based on the previous scores, must've been deflating. ALL these skaters worked hard for their Olympic moment. That, coupled with illness/injury, and if I remember correctly, I think they lost a brother to cancer right before the Olympics began, so there was a lot going on. Plus, let's face it, the 90's weren't good to a lot of ice dancers, not just the Duchesnays. There were quite a bit of wonderful dance teams who were screwed out of gold medals, or even just a chance to stand on the podium with ANY color medal.

[@1andonlyCobra]

bindi06 In 2004, Shen/Zhao couldn’t win the world title when they went out for their free (they were 4th after SP and noone else had beaten T/M), but went out and skated a masterpiece to The Nutcracker. Attitude is everything.

[@SDoesNotKnow]

Of course people remember Usova/Zhulin and Klimova/Ponomarenko. The former's 1991 Worlds FD is very fondly remembered by fans and many argue that routine should have won over the Duschenay's inferior rehash of Missing. Klimova/Ponomarenko's FD at these Olympics is considered one of the greatest artistic achievements in Ice Dance. IMO, the Duschenay's had only one program that could be considered a classic in Ice Dance history and it's Missing from 1990 and the first half was a Torvil/Dean profe

[@sallyschur8017]

Love the music and the choreography, mot Isabelle's (apparent) attitude!

[@TheElePa]

But I answer to you: is there someone who truly remember which routine ran K e P or U e Z? The technical perfection is not enough to remain in the memory and in the hearts of the audience.Everybody knows "Missing" routine that I and P presented at 1990 Worlds champ:nobody interest that they didn't win Gold but only the Silver. Everyday many people watch and watch again on KZbin this routine.A few people, today, know K e P and remember their perfect but less emotional routines.It is true.

[@skaterboy-cz9wj]

Speak for your self Klimova and Ponomarenko's gold medal performances was far more memorable than Missing. You don't miss Missing at all.

[@SDoesNotKnow]

The first half of Missing I was Torvil/Dean's professional dance. I have no doubt Sergei and Marina could have pulled off an avant garde routine but I doubt Paul and Isabelle would have been able to do anything classic because they had too many technical deficiencies (more Isabelle than Paul because Paul is quite good).

[@jodij6280]

I might have liked this program if it was just a little less rushed and set to different music. The program was too frantic and the music too harsh.

[@franckvielcazal9799]

so modern!

[@stonerr76]

The ISU often awards gold medals to skaters/couples that are the most deserving during an Olympic period rather than just for an Olympic performance. They also award the gold medal to skaters that they believe are up and coming superstars. Klimova and Ponomarenko won because they did have the best performance at the Olympics, but also because they were the best skaters from 1989 to 1992 inclusive. Bestemianova and Bukin won because they were the best skaters from 1985 to 1988, but their Olympic performance was not the best that year. The Duschesnays by 1992 were already a caricature of themselves. This program was the same old choreography from Christopher Dean. The Duschesnays should have won in 1990 but the ISU got it wrong so they awarded them the gold in 1991 instead when they trotted out Missing #2 which was a tired concept by then. By 1994 the ISU had tired of Usova and Zhulin and didnt want Torvill and Dean to win 10 years after 1984 so they put Gritschuk and Platov on top. A mediocre couple and unworthy of one Olympic gold medal let alone two.

[@skaterboy-cz9wj]

I can see your point but for usova and zhulin. Usova and Zhulin lost because they could not do their passionate love based classical dance as their marriage was destroyed so while technically strong they chose an inferiork non romantic puppet dance.

[@WBFbySteefen]

I'm here because I was curious who got the silver, but I'm still shook up from seeing K & P. I'm going to have to lie down or something.

[@boa585]

What they did on the ice that evening, that wrinkled grandmoter & her grandbaby?

[@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?

[@ft-je3rs]

They were third in the compulsories and second in the original program to kliomva and ponermorenko and that was enough of a lead for them to be blocked from gold .

[@Oreadno1]

Is it me or does Isabelle look like she's pouting and sulking as they come out on the ice?

[@rubym357]

Don't get me wrong, I liked the Duchesnay's FD. BUT Isabelle had TOO MUCH of an attitude. Getting together with Christopher Dean made everything worse (and he's a bad hubby anyway- ask Jill Trenary). The West Side Story number needed at least two years worth of work. K & P were TOO modern dance to win.

[@boa585]

Anoter killers of figure skating!

[@1andonlyCobra]

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

[@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.

[@TheSienna29]

I loved the choreography....however-the quality of the skating was not up to par.

[@franckvielcazal9799]

59 60 Amazing

[@kirkenes]

@intldawn I think Grishuk/Platov should've been third as well, above D/D. Don't really know about Rahkamo/Kokko, but I would've given the nod to the Finns. Petri Kokko's technique was subpar, but it was less subpar than Isabelle Duchesnay's. The Duchesnays had a better choreography. But I just hate their tons of two-footed skating into the tricks.

[@chocolatesupport]

No, the Duchesnays weren't the best technically, mainly because of Isabelle, but they were still good and strong. But people are forgetting: this is West Side Story, and the gang/fight scenes, so it IS supposed to be tense and a bit frantic - which the Duchesnays did portray, with or without their problems going on in their life (their brother dying and Isabelle with the flu and injury). They were worthy of gold in '92. D&D were themselves, but Klimova and Ponoramenko were good but it wasn't THEM. They were ACTING avant-garde/dramatic to compete with the Duchesnays. The irony is that the Duchesnays past works in a way backfired on them here because they had risen the bar too high and it was hard to top their previous works. But they still did the job here. We must also remember that this was the "dirty" era of figure skating (70s-early 2000s, maybe today again) where the judges would give the previous World's to someone else, but the Olympic gold was "reserved" for a Soviet/Russian team or skater. And notice how Canada and Czech judges always marked the Duchesnays lower, obviously resentment that they stopped representing Canada and skated for France, and their coach was Czech. Just dirty.

[@josieshy2376]

#champagneforashley You're not the only one suggesting he should have had another partner. I wonder what (or better: who!) is on your mind when suggesting that. Their skill levels were different, but there were many factors which made Isabelle the best partner for her brother. There's the similarity in their appearances which made some moves and even choreographic ideas possible, like the iconic "mirrors"-routine. Her personality complemented his. Most of all, they had a chemistry, a ;connection to each other as only brother and sister can have - knowing each other since she was born, they had developed a trustful and supportive relationship that just couldn't have been simply built up with someone else, even if this someone was technically superior to Isabelle. I'm quite sure that skating with a stranger - however skillful - would have affected Paul's ability to identify with their routines; I doubt he would have connected to that partner in that unique, caring and empathetic way he was connected to his sister and which was crucial to his expressiveness and on ice persona.On another note - Isabelle wasn't that bad at all. In this competition at the '92 Olys, she was ill, and hadn't yet recovered from a foot injury. And her nerves showed. Who would blame her, they had had a terrible time leading up to the Olympics.

[@romankotov36]

Skotnicky is a Slovak. You don't get extra points for problems going on in your life. This pair shouldn't have even risen from their fair and square 15th place, D/D's rise IS the dirtiest era in ice dancing. How on earth did they get past the compulsory dances with Isabelle's atrocious basic skating and posture? Klimova/Ponomarenko are still the greatest ice dancing couple technically bar none. They didn't always have the best choreo, but in Albertville they did, Dean's nice tricks for D/D notwithstanding. And "dirty" in that situation applied to those 4 judges who gave the first place in the FD to shaky D/D. That said, I love all the programmes that Dean did for D/D

[@josieshy2376]

No one here says that points should be awarded for dealing problems in life, but I guess that #chocolatesupport and I mean the same thing - the Duchesnays had to cope with quite some obstacles and it meant as a result that especially Isabelle wasn't capable of performing to her best, due to her injury and illness. She wasn't bad at all in the compulsories.I love all their programmes, too, Dean or not Dean.

[@edm2154]

chocolatesupport q

[@grantgoffin4774]

You are an idiot. The only dirty thing was the Duchensays came as high as silver when they didn't deserve to medal at all fool. Today that is what everyone says, and they are now regarded as one of the most overrated teams in history. I even saw Isabelle in a French Canadian interview throw a fit when the interviewer asked her how she feels that fans and expert today now say they were one of the most overscored teams ever, now that the mystique around them fell off. She is one of the most spoiled brats ever.

[@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

[@parisbrat]

No. She had come down w/ the flu.

[@starsmoon0216]

This program had interesting choreography, but I don't see how they could win the gold with it. Most of their programs didn't do it for me. They were lucky to win the silver here. At that time, the Russians dominated ice dance and pair skating.

[@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.

[@grantgoffin4774]

They were reigning World Champs on home ice. They were never coming only 3rd, LOL! Had they been 3rd at the 91 worlds as they nearly were, they might not have even medaled at these Games however.

[@intldawn]

@@grantgoffin4774Yeah, that’s true.

[@Edugt4]

Its weird, their performance was not clean in many moments. They had the people on their side but Zhulin and Usova were clearly technically and artistically superior. 5.6 and 5.7 fair enough for them and bronze. I have seen them in other competitions and they could make much better than this...

[@grantgoffin4774]

Yes even the bronze would be super generous. All 3 Russian teams were better at this event and possibly the Finns. Their scores were comical in how outrageously high and bloated they were, but expected given the circumstances.

[@skaterboy-cz9wj]

Duchesnay's were an innovative pair that dealt well with that they were sibllings and limited in choices of music/choreography. They were talented and great choices in making them avant garde and acrobatic/athletic because technically and artistically both Usova and Zhulin and Klimova and Ponomorenko should have been ahead.. Dsquared did what they had to do to win - they left Canada because at the time in the late 80's they were struggling to make the world team. They used what they had but unfortunately going to the well played Westside Story did them no favours. Yes, Isabelle was sick but she lacked the skills of her brother Paul. And this program was no masterpiece compared to other avantegarde pieces did. Along witht he lack of technical content this was at best a bronze medal performances lifted or overmarked with the hometown enthusiasm AND the reputation of a world gold medal. But look at their skating the edges, the turns, the extension all were lacking compared to U/Z and K/P. Really it is scandalous comparatively to 2002 Salt Lake City that they should have had ANY first place vote and the French judge should have been banned giving Klimova and Ponomarenko a 5.5 for technical . It is also almost criminal the fans thinking that the French were anywhere close to the Russians. Just apalling. They were good but not worthy of the gold artistically or technically - and not even worthy of silver. They were not short changed; they were well rewarded and gifted with a bow on top.

[@valerieteti1755]

You are exactly right in your assessment. This performance was WAY over scored. They did NOT deserve a medal here

[@richardmurray4042]

It's just hard for me to get past the CD gimmicky choreography, very on the nose, then and still. Sloppy execution here. A lot of side by side skating. Kind of cold and distant.

[@valerieteti1755]

I agree. The movements were too rough. I did not care for this at all. Tbh I liked their 1988 jungle rhythm free dance better.

[@scook5599]

Oh, I totally disagree. I thought it was very good. I am not a West Side Story fan, but I thought they brought the music to life. Christopher Dean's choreography was perfect. And I have not always enjoyed their choreography and interpretation. A bit too "out there" for me. But I always respected their skill and execution.

[@aksana8030]

я не понимаю, как они обошли жулина и усову,мног грязи, и для меня не понятен танец, и смешно французкий судья ставит им 5.8 за технику а климой с понаморенко 5.5, это просто смешно

[@user-gp8xy1tr3l]

Я тоже две ошибочка конкретных заметил , хотя танец понравился.

[@Beargeek616]

Because it was rigged

[@mjjoseph5027]

she's a drama queen

[@alvachiriff2226]

Good skills and speed, acrobats truly.....personally I preferred the Russians, they were more classic ballet style, and that make my eyes enjoy each step.....the dance when is slow or soft need a lot of body control. The attitude of the Duchesnay, never like it, and for me kill all their ability, the were very arrogant.

[@TheMuston]

Yawn

[@user-lc7cw1rr4i]

Acrobatics on ice! Not impressed! I cant believe than Christofer was a choreographer!

[@fivantvcs9055]

It doesn't value a 5.7 at all. It worthes 5.8 minimum technically. They were sharpener than the Russian, more avantgardist, more acrobatic. Wow the Canadian judge couldn't help with the fact they had left Canada, it seems to be... Even the Russian judge, the rival country gave a 5.8. And artistically it would have deserved at least one 6.0 in the list of artistic scores.