Interview Lopareva/Brissaud by… themselves !

Annecy, French Elite Championships, Evgeniia and Geoffrey have just finished their free dance and won their third national title. For once, I decide to let them have the microphone to ask each other questions. You can tell right away that they are used to communicating!

Evgeniia: Geoffrey, how did you feel today?

Geoffrey: Pretty good, even if a little cold coming in 5th in the group [the Jean Régis ice rink is VERY cold]. I am happy with our performance. Having reached this stage of the season, we have acquired automatisms. The program is physical, but we master it well, we are in the right shape, when we need to be. And you Evgeniia, what was the easiest moment of the program today?

Evgeniia: [She thinks…] Honestly, yesterday and today, I felt very good on the ice, so it wasn’t too difficult. Everything was smooth, we were well synchronized. In my opinion, it was our most successful performance this season. We skated without pressure, it was really great to be able to link the technical difficulties without a hitch. The program requires speed and precision. It came by itself, without having to force it.

Geoffrey: 130.76 points in the free skate, what is your take on this?

Evgeniia: I really didn’t expect it, I’m almost shocked! Our international record is much lower, I don’t remember the numbers…

Patinage Magazine: 121.53 in the Challenger Series at the Warsaw Cup this year. I’m trying to participate… (laughs)

Evgeniia: Oh thank you! And you, what do you think Geoffrey?

Geoffrey: I'm not complaining! (laughs) This free program is paying off well this season! We like it, the judges, the public, everyone like it. We're delighted and we're going to continue to improve it before the European Championships in Tallinn and the World Championships in Boston. A program matures throughout the season, we can still improve in many areas, especially in the components. We're going to get back to work quickly to be at the top by the end of January in Estonia.

Evgeniia: The French Championships are over, what are you going to do in the next few days?

Geoffrey: Tonight: rehearsals for the Vaujany TV gala and then a little rest for everyone. So I'm also answering for you (laughs) Evgeniia is going to see her mother who came to visit her and I'm going to spend the holidays with my family.

Interview by Kate Royan