by Maria Bagdasarova | On-Ice Images by Daphne Backman & Yoriko Suzuki
Competing of their eighth senior season and eleventh general collectively, Canadians Marie-Jade Lauriault & Romain Le Gac proceed to enchant audiences with their distinctive storytelling on the ice. On 14-19 January 2025, they are going to take part within the Canadian Nationwide Skating Championships within the hope to safe a spot on the nation’s group for the World Championships in Boston.
The duo started their 2024/2025 season with a powerful begin, claiming victory on the Lake Placid Worldwide Ice Dance Competitors in late July. They adopted up with two seventh-place finishes at their Grand Prix occasions, Skate America and Grand Prix de France. Wrapping up the primary half of their season, they earned a fifth-place end on the ISU Challenger Warsaw Cup in November.
Regardless of not reaching their desired podium placements on this yr’s Grand Prix sequence, Lauriault & Le Gac preserve a constructive outlook, viewing the expertise as a possibility for development. “We have been anticipating so much from this season,” Marie-Jade admitted. “However despite the fact that we didn’t meet our objectives, we’re happy with the environment friendly work we did between the 2 competitions.”
Romain echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of studying from their performances. “We began early this season in Lake Placid and bought nice suggestions. Sadly, we left some factors on the desk on the Grand Prix occasions, however we’re happy with the preparation and coaching we’ve accomplished,” he mentioned. For the rest of the season, the group is targeted on refining their packages and attaining consistency. “It’s about understanding why sure ranges weren’t achieved and ensuring we don’t go away any factors behind,” Marie-Jade defined.
Lauriault & Le Gac are identified for his or her rigorously crafted packages with inventive storytelling. This season, their rhythm dance attracts inspiration from the Sixties quantity referred to as “The Wealthy Man’s Frug” from the musical movie “Candy Charity”. This system incorporates quirky actions, reflecting the colourful and carefree essence of the period.
“We selected Wealthy Man’s Frug figuring out it might require a number of work, but in addition recognizing the fascinating story behind Bob Fosse’s choreography. His fashion is filled with little quirks, and but all of it ties again to the fundamentals of social dance – connecting with somebody and dancing collectively. When you watch the video clip from Candy Charity, the actions present folks having fun with themselves, creating a way of enjoyable and connection. On the similar time, there’s an eccentric edge to the choreography, as if the dancers are a bit conceited however not taking themselves too severely. We liked that vibe, and it completely captured what social dance ought to be about: having enjoyable with others and dancing freely with out caring what the others assume. For us, the purpose within the rhythm dance was to replicate that connection and playful, barely bizarre vitality in our actions,” Marie-Jade explains.
In distinction, their free dance takes audiences to the Wild West, showcasing a cinematic narrative impressed by iconic Western movies. From the sheriff to the outlaw, this system juxtaposes the themes of regulation versus freedom. “Marie-Jade introduced up the thought,” Romain revealed. “At first, I wasn’t positive, however as we explored extra Western music, it began to come back collectively.”
This system brings collectively stereotypical Western imagery of a great man, unhealthy man, and a sheriff with trendy parts. “We used these acquainted pictures as the inspiration to create a narrative with varied characters and parts folks affiliate with Westerns. We additionally wished to modernize the vibe, particularly in how ladies are portrayed. We wished the girl to be highly effective,” Marie-Jade mentioned, referencing her pantsuit costume and dominant position in some lifts. “In a few of the lifts, I’m positioned greater than Romain. These delicate touches allowed us to take care of the Western aesthetic whereas introducing a recent perspective.”
Lauriault & Le Gac’s 11-year partnership has been a journey of inventive exploration and pushing the boundaries with their daring selections of characters they create to the ice. Whether or not evoking humor in Pink Panther or gothic allure in Corpse Bride, their packages persistently stand out for his or her creativity. “It’s simpler to work by theme,” Marie-Jade defined. “The thought takes type as we develop this system, from costumes to choreography.”
Their artistic course of begins with music choice. “We begin with a four-hour playlist of music,” Marie-Jade defined. “It builds all through the season, after which we filter it, as a result of some music isn’t made for skating. We additionally take into consideration the weather – the lifts, spin, and the cues we wish when listening.”
As soon as the music and theme are chosen, the duo works with their coaches at Ice Academy of Montreal to refine their imaginative and prescient.
“We all the time strive totally different concepts and themes,” Marie-Jade shared. “For the Western free dance, we didn’t simply take heed to film scores; we explored Western present music and Cirque du Soleil to broaden our horizon. The music evolves constantly on the ice because the coaches carry their views.”
Their storytelling positive factors depth from the specialists they work with. “Emilie [Josset], our theater coach, is nice at creating characters and backstories,” mentioned Marie-Jade. “Eva [Airapetian], our ballet trainer, helps us dig deeper into themes. For this yr’s free dance, she explored the regulation versus freedom theme: Is the regulation all the time proper, or is freedom typically?”.
Romain elaborated, “Marie-Jade is the sheriff, representing regulation, and I’m the unhealthy man, representing freedom. However is he actually unhealthy?”
“After we construct a program, we all know the instruments and group we’ve got,” Romain concluded. “Every particular person brings their experience so as to add one other layer, making the story richer and extra full.”
Their artistic method extends past their performances. “We attempt to share this course of with younger skaters we coach now,” mentioned Marie-Jade. “It’s necessary for them to carry one thing to the desk. It’s arduous to skate on one thing imposed on you. Researching and believing within the music makes a distinction. It helps you hook up with this system and produce out that deeper efficiency, particularly when the technical half is already there.”
After the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted their routines in 2020, Marie-Jade and Romain made the choice to change from representing France to Canada. The transfer grew to become a catalyst for reigniting their ardour for skating. Reflecting on the transition, Romain defined, “Through the pandemic, everyone questioned themselves as a result of we had time; the whole lot stopped. We had already accomplished 5 – 6 seasons collectively, each competitors we may have accomplished – Europeans, Worlds, Olympics. We checked out that and noticed that one thing was lacking at that time. We weren’t aligned with our values.”
Logistically, the fixed journey between France and Canada was pricey and left little time for high quality interactions with their household in France. Marie-Jade defined: “If you prepare in a rustic you don’t signify, it’s extremely difficult. Making the swap actually allowed us to really feel the values we have been speaking about. Every little thing was in place. One in every of our core values is household and now we see our household in France with extra high quality time. Earlier than, it was all the time on the go: competitors, possibly at some point to go to, after which again. Now we’re extra relaxed and might really get pleasure from these moments.”
The assets out there in Canada additionally performed a key position of their development as athletes and people. “The group round us – physios, psychological coaches, bodily trainers – we’ve got entry to so many nice assets,” mentioned Marie-Jade. “It’s not nearly turning into higher skaters; we’re turning into higher folks. They’re constructing the entire image, giving us expertise past skating, which helps put together us for all times after the game.”
For Romain, the choice to signify Canada has been transformative. “We’re happy with what we achieved skating for France; it’s a part of our story,” he acknowledged. “However what retains us competing now could be the assist we’ve present in Quebec and Canada. We’re nonetheless studying a lot from the unimaginable folks we’re surrounded by. That’s why we’re nonetheless right here at this time, and so long as we’re studying, we’ll preserve going.”
As Marie-Jade Lauriault & Romain Le Gac proceed their journey as skilled ice dancers, their off-ice priorities replicate a balanced and considerate way of living past competitors. “For now, originally of the yr, we each took a break – me from my research and Romain from osteopathy – to completely immerse ourselves within the off-ice coaching alternatives we had entry to,” Marie-Jade shared. “I’ll return to highschool in December, however teaching stays an integral a part of our day by day routine. It’s necessary to us to provide again and share what we’ve discovered, because it’s additionally a method for us to continue to learn.” Each emphasize the significance of getting a “plan B”, not only for themselves but in addition for the youthful skaters they mentor.
Romain echoed this sentiment, reflecting on how their households instilled the worth of preparation. “Each of our households have been aligned in guaranteeing we’ve got a plan B. That’s why we’re nonetheless right here at this time; figuring out there’s one thing after skating offers us peace of thoughts,” he mentioned. He additionally highlighted their openness to new experiences, recalling a post-pandemic collaboration with Montreal’s “Circus des 7 doigts de la important”. “It was an excellent expertise, and we’re open to reveals like Cirque du Soleil sooner or later. For now, although, we’re dwelling absolutely as skilled athletes for the primary time, with a schedule that’s aligned with restoration, diet, and coaching.”
This determination to focus absolutely on skating is a shift from their regular stability of athletics and different commitments. “It was a little bit of a change for us,” Romain admitted. “We’ve all the time had one thing on the facet, however we realized this is perhaps our solely likelihood to go all in as full-time athletes. We need to look again and say, ‘We gave it the whole lot.’”
For Marie-Jade, this method ensures they’ll skate with out concern of the long run. “Understanding we’ve got one thing ready for us after skating means we’re not right here as a result of we’ve got to be; we’re right here as a result of we nonetheless discover pleasure in it,” she defined.
For Lauriault & Le Gac, this season’s major purpose is to safe a spot on the Canadian world group. The duo takes it one season at a time, reevaluating their priorities recurrently. “Annually, we ask ourselves, ‘The place am I in my life? Is that this the place I need to be?’” Marie-Jade mentioned. “It’s an train that has allowed us to maintain skating longer whereas staying true to our evolving objectives.”
