This time, it is well restarted: after a slight setback in their preparation, the skaters Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, vice-Olympic champions in the title of ice dance, make their return to the occasion of the French Open in Grenoble Friday. and Saturday.

Initially, the French dancers were to appear on the ice in Tokyo in early November, for one of the six stages of the ISU Grand Prix. But back pains felt by Cizeron have delayed their plan of a fortnight, the doctors advising against the competition and the long trip from Montreal, where they are installed.

"The back is completely back. I would not even want to talk about an injury. This is a small point, a small problem that is a little chronic in recent years, but nothing serious. It causes small tensions in the back. All is nickel before this Trophy de France, explains their coach Romain Haguenauer. It is a setback that falls in a season where we can afford it. "

This harmless injury is not without sporting consequences, as the duo will not be able to defend their title in the Grand Prix final in Vancouver from December 6 to 9, which brings together the top six in each category.

"Even if they win the competition in Grenoble, they will not have enough points to qualify. In a post-Olympic season, the Grand Prix final is not a main objective , " says Haguenauer, who is targeting the European Championships in Minsk (January 23-26) and the Worlds in Saitama, Japan (20-23). March).

Renewed programs

After the Olympic season and four years at the peak of ice dance, the three-time world champions (2015, 2016, 2018) and four-time European champions (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) took the time to breathe.

Since their last world triumph in March in Milan, they have only happened once. It was in Villard-de-Lans (Isère) at the end of September, where they presented only their short program, renamed rhythmic dance. "The judges' returns had been good. It was a good basis for preparing the Grands Prix. It has evolved, we will see what it will give here in situation on the international circuit , " said Haguenauer.

To start a new cycle of four years until the Beijing Olympics in 2022, the young Clermontois (23 years for Papadakis, 24 years for Cizeron) have innovated and renewed their short and free programs. The guitar took the place of the piano for the free program and they appealed to Swiss Stéphane Lambiel, vice-Olympic champion in 2006, for the choreography of the free, whose 2018/19 vintage will be presented for the first time in competition Saturday.

They will not be the only multiple medalists world or Olympic to skate in Grenoble this weekend. Russia's Evgenia Medvedeva, the 2016 and 2017 world champion and Olympic vice-champion in Pyeongchang, will be in the game, as will the American skating nugget Nathan Chen, world champion in 2018.

On the French side, Vanessa James and Morgan Ciprès, bronze medalists at the 2018 Worlds, will try to assert themselves in pairs, a category in which they will be contenders for the continental and world podiums this winter.

The program of the Internationals of France

  • Friday

3 pm: Men's short program

4:55 pm: rhythmic dance

6:35 pm: women's short program

8:35 pm: short couples program

  • Saturday

1:50 pm: free program gentlemen

4:05 pm: free dance

7 pm: ladies free program

9:05 pm: free couples program