Nathalie Péchalat

Nathalie Péchalat

Péchalat and Bourzat at 2009 Skate Canada
Personal information
Full name Nathalie Péchalat
Country represented  France
Born December 22, 1983 (1983-12-22) (age 28)
Rouen
Home town Lyon, France
Residence Detroit
Height 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Partner Fabian Bourzat
Former partner Julien Deheinzelin
Michael Zenezini
Coach Anjelika Krylova
Pasquale Camerlengo
Former coach Alexander Zhulin
Oleg Volkov
Maxim Staviski
Muriel Zazoui
Romain Haguenauer
Anne Sophie Druet
Choreographer Pasquale Camerlengo
Ilia Constantin
Kader Belmoktar
Former choreographer Alexander Zhulin
Antonio Najarro
Mourad Merzouki
Julien Cottereau
Laurie May Ayivigan
Skating club Castres SG
Current training locations Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Former training locations Moscow, Lyon
Began skating 1990
World standing 2 (As of 17 June 2011 (2011 -06-17))[1]
Season's bests 3 (2010–2011)[2]
6 (2009–2010)[3]
6 (2008–2009)[4]
ISU personal best scores
Combined total 194.39
2010 Worlds
Comp. dance 37.75
2010 Worlds
Short dance: 70.97
2011 Worlds
Free dance 101.01
2011-12 Grand Prix Final

Nathalie Péchalat (born December 22, 1983 in Rouen) is a French ice dancer who competes with Fabian Bourzat. They are the 2011 European Champions, the 2010–2011 Grand Prix Final silver and 2009–2010 bronze medalists, 2010 Cup of China champions, 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard champions, and three-time French national champions (2009, 2011, 2012).

Contents

Career

Early career

Nathalie Péchalat began skating at seven, originally as a single skater. At the age of ten, she switched to ice dancing after her coach, Anne Sophie Druet, suggested she was suited for the discipline and her son was looking for a partner.[5]

In March 2000, Péchalat's then-partner left her, and her coach at the time, Muriel Zazoui, suggested she team up with Fabian Bourzat.[5] The two did not get along well at first but gradually became friends.[6] In a 2011 interview, Péchalat said that she and Bourzat have different personalities but that he is the ideal skating partner for her: "He is very gifted. He works through feeling and inspiration. As soon as he feels a move, he can reproduce it and interpret it. He does not need to intellectualize." According to Bourzat, "Nathalie is always pulling the couple ahead and pushing us to work. She brings her extraordinary capacity to work. She always wants to do everything perfectly."[7]

They skated as juniors for two years, winning two Junior Grand Prix medals, before moving to seniors at the beginning of the 2002–03 season.

2003–2006

Péchalat and Bourzat won bronze medals at the 2003 and 2005 Winter Universiade. They made their Worlds debut in 2004, finishing 20th, and their Europeans debut in 2005, placing 12th. The duo competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, where they came in 18th.

2006–2008

In the post-Olympic 2006–07 season, Péchalat and Bourzat won their first senior Grand Prix medal, a bronze at the 2006 Skate America. They missed the 2007 Europeans after she injured her hand but were able to compete at Worlds, where they finished in 12th place.

2007–2008 season

In the 2007–2008 season, Péchalat and Bourzat finished 2nd at both Skate America and the Cup of Russia, and qualified for their first Grand Prix Final, where they finished 6th. They were forced to miss the 2008 French National Championships after Bourzat underwent knee surgery, but returned to the ice in time for the 2008 Europeans, finishing 5th. They were 7th at the 2008 Worlds. Following the season, Péchalat and Bourzat left long-time coaches Muriel Zazoui and Romain Haguenauer in Lyon, and moved to Moscow to train under Alexander Zhulin and his assistant Oleg Volkov.[8][9] They said the move was difficult at first due to not knowing the Russian language and Moscow being a very expensive city to live in, however, from a skating perspective they felt it was a good move.[6]

2008–2009 season

Péchalat and Bourzat's 2008–2009 Grand Prix events were Skate Canada and the NHK Trophy. They made some changes to their programs following their 3rd place finish at Skate Canada,[10] and finished a close second at the NHK Trophy, winning both the original dance and the free dance. They did not qualify for the 2008–2009 Grand Prix Final. In December 2008, Péchalat and Bourzat won their first national title. At the 2009 Europeans, they were second in the free dance and fourth overall, missing out on a medal by less than half a point. They finished 5th at 2009 Worlds.

2009–2010 season

For the 2009–10 season, Péchalat and Bourzat were assigned to the Trophée Eric Bompard and Skate Canada as their Grand Prix events. They finished in second place, behind Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, in both events. These results qualified them for their second Grand Prix Final. Prior to the final, Bourzat suffered an ankle injury, but they were able to skate well enough to earn their first GPF medal, a bronze.[11] Following a second consecutive 4th place finish at Europeans and a 7th place at the Vancouver Olympics, Pechalat and Bourzat elected to return to their Circus free dance from the 2008–9 season. They then finished 4th at 2010 Worlds with new personal best scores in the compulsory dance, the free dance, and overall. They won the small bronze medal for the free dance.[12]

2010–2011 season

Péchalat and Bourzat began the 2010–11 season with wins at the Nebelhorn Trophy and the Finlandia Trophy; the former was their first international gold medal at any level. They initially used Amélie for their short dance but replaced it with Doctor Zhivago prior to the 2010 Cup of China, which they won by a large margin. They won their second Grand Prix title at the 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard. Their results qualified them for the Grand Prix Final, where they won the silver medal. They followed this by winning French nationals for the second time in their career. Péchalat and Bourzat went on to win the 2011 Europeans, finishing first in both the short dance and the free dance,[13][14][15] and breaking the 100-point barrier in the free dance for the first time in their career. It was their first ever medal at an ISU Championship. They produced France's fifth ice dancing European title.[16]

In mid-February 2011, Péchalat and Bourzat performed in galas in North Korea along with other international skaters. Bourzat said, "Traveling there was not a political act at all. We came as open-minded people, who wanted to discover and exchange."[17]

At the 2011 Worlds, Péchalat and Bourzat set a new personal best in the short dance and were in bronze medal position going into the free dance.[18] They dropped to fourth overall after Bourzat tripped and both fell during a step sequence.[19][8] Following the event, reports surfaced that Péchalat and Bourzat would move to Michigan to train with Anjelika Krylova and Pasquale Camerlengo.[8][20]

2011–2012 season

Pechalat and Bourzat confirmed their move to the U.S. for the 2011–2012 season,[21] saying that Camerlengo was the only coach they considered, based on their past experience of working with him during their time as juniors at Lyon,[22] as well as wanting to continue the technique they learned under Zhulin: "[Krylova] is exactly in Zhulin's footsteps as she perpetuates the basics and technique he taught us."[23] They also spent time during the summer in Lyon to work with choreographer Kader Belmoktar on their new Egypt-themed free dance.[24] They took up the new option of competing at three Grand Prix events and were assigned to 2011 Skate America, 2011 Skate Canada, and 2011 Trophee Eric Bompard.[25] Although Bourzat was ill with bronchitis, they were able to win the silver medal at Skate America.[26][27][28] They withdrew from Skate Canada due to Bourzat's bronchitis.[29] Their second place finish at the Trophee Eric Bompard, combined with their showing at Skate America, qualified them for their third straight Grand Prix Final. There, they set a new personal best score in the free dance and won the bronze medal. Their next competition was the French Championships, where they won their third national title.

Coaches and choregraphers

Pechalat and Bourzat were coached by Muriel Boucher-Zazoui and Romain Haguenauer from 2000 to mid-2008 in Lyon, France. From 2000 to 2003, they also worked with Pasquale Camerlengo.[22] In 2007, they spent a few weeks with Alexander Zhulin, and from July 2008 to April 2011, he was their full-time coach, along with Oleg Volkov, in Moscow, Russia.[6] Since May 2011, they are coached by Anjelika Krylova and Pasquale Camerlengo at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in the U.S.[21][23] They remain on good terms with Zhulin and Volkov.[25]

Their choreographers have included Laurie-May Ayvigan, Mourad Merzouki, Kader Belmoktar and Julien Cottereau.[30][31] Alexander Zhulin choreographed their Chaplin free dance.[32] Belmoktar provided the movements and some transitions in their Egypt free dance, while Camerlengo and Krylova took it to the ice and did the steps; they also choreographed the short dance that season.[33]

Personal life

Péchalat has an older brother and two sisters. She dated Bourzat in the past,[16] and is currently in a relationship with Czech skater Tomáš Verner.[34]

Péchalat obtained a B.Sc. degree in sports management and later pursued graduate studies at Management School of Lyon.[35][5] While training in Moscow, she studied at the Finance University under the Government of the Russian Federation, a prestigious Russian university for economics and finance.[32]

Programs

Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition
2011–2012[36] "Carnival in Rio"


choreo. by Pasquale Camerlengo, Anjelika Krylova[33]

 "Mummy and Pharaoh"
  • Passion
    by Peter Gabriel
  • In The Garden
    by Narada World
  • Le retour de Punt
    by Bernard Becker
  • Alf Layla Wa Layla
    by Ahmad Sidqi


choreo. by Kader Belmoktar,[24] Pasquale Camerlengo, Anjelika Krylova[33]
2010–2011[37] Lara's Theme
from Doctor Zhivago
soundtrack by Maurice Jarre


choreo. by Antonio Najarro[32]

 City Lights medley
performed by London Symphony Orchestra
choreo. by Alexander Zhulin[32]		 George of the Jungle
Original dance
2009–2010[38]


choreo. by L. May, P. Narboux


choreo. by Kader Belmoktar

"Circus" theme:


choreo. by J. Cottereau[39]

 "Circus" theme:
2008–2009[39] It Don't Mean a Thing
by Puppini Sisters
choreo. by L. May, S. Olive


choreo. by J. Cottereau

 Mummy
by Claude Challe
Andy
by Les Rita Mitsouko
2007–2008 Mummy
by Claude Challe
2006–2007 Four Seasons
by Assen Merzouki		 La Majorette
by Bénabar
2005–2006 Latin mix Les Misérables (musical) Mon cinema
by Claude Nougaro
2004–2005 Slow fox and Charleston Cats (musical)
by Andrew L. Webber		 Mon cinema
by Claude Nougaro
2003–2004
  • Swing Brother Swing
    by C. MacGill
  • If Can't Have You
    by E. James
  • Babalu
    by Chano
  • Dance of the Soldiers
    by Red Army Choir
  • Hasta Siempre
    by S. Brave
  • Demasia da Corazon
    by W. de Ville
2002–2003
  • Elveda
    by Metin Arolat
  • Asla Vazgecemem
    by Tarkan
    version performed by an unknown artist

Competitive highlights

(with Bourzat)

Event 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12
Winter Olympic Games 18th 7th
World Championships 20th 19th 15th 12th 7th 5th 4th 4th
European Championships 12th 11th 5th 4th 4th 1st
World Junior Championships 8th 6th
French Championships 1st J. 1st J. 3rd 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st
Master's de Patinage 1st J. 1st J. 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st
Grand Prix Final 6th 3rd 2nd 3rd
Trophée Eric Bompard 9th 8th 8th 5th 7th 2nd 1st 2nd
Cup of China 7th 7th 1st
Skate Canada 11th 3rd 2nd WD
NHK Trophy 2nd
Skate America 3rd 2nd 2nd
Cup of Russia 5th 2nd
Finlandia Trophy 1st
Nebelhorn Trophy 1st
Winter Universiade 3rd 3rd
Junior Grand Prix Final 7th
Junior Grand Prix, Japan 2nd
Junior Grand Prix, Netherlands 4th
Junior Grand Prix, France 6th
Junior Grand Prix, China 2nd
J. = Junior level

References

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  2. ^ "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2010/2011 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. April 30, 2011. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2010-11/sbtsdto.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
  3. ^ "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2009/2010 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. March 26, 2010. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2009-10/sbtsdto.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
  4. ^ "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2008/2009 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. April 18, 2009. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2008-09/sbtsdto.htm. Retrieved June 20, 2011. 
  5. ^ a b c Dobor, Helga (2005). "Figure skating is a way to express yourself!". AbsoluteSkating.com. http://absoluteskating.com/index.php?cat=interviews&id=2005pechalatbourzat. Retrieved February 7, 2011. 
  6. ^ a b c "Interview with Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat, NHK Trophy, December 2008". figureskating-online. March 2, 2009. http://www.figureskating-online.com/pechalat-bourzat.html. Retrieved July 4, 2011. 
  7. ^ Berlot, Jean-Christophe (March 12, 2011). "Pechalat, Bourzat: 'We will give them all we have'". IceNetwork.com. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110312&content_id=16920690&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved March 13, 2011. 
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  11. ^ Stevenson, Alexandra (December 4, 2009). "Davis, White break new ground with win". IceNetwork.com. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091204&content_id=7755522&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved November 8, 2010. 
  12. ^ Kondakova, Anna (March 26, 2010). "Olympic ice dance champs nab first World title". GoldenSkate.com. http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2009/w_fd.shtml. Retrieved November 8, 2010. 
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  14. ^ Flade, Tatiana (January 29, 2011). "Pechalat and Bourzat dance to first European title". Goldenskate.com. http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2010/euros_fd.shtml. Retrieved March 31, 2011. 
  15. ^ Pechalat, Bourzat take ice dance gold at Europeans
  16. ^ a b Chenaille, Louis (29 January 2011). "Péchalat-Bourzat touchent au but [Péchalat-Bourzat reach their goal]" (in French). rmc.fr. http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/145538/pechalat-bourzat-touchent-au-but/. Retrieved 29 January 2011. 
  17. ^ Peret, Paul (May 31, 2010). "Gala Affairs for Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat". International Figure Skating Magazine. http://www.ifsmagazine.com/articles/519-gala-affairs-for-nathalie-pechalat-and-fabian-bourzat. Retrieved June 2, 2011. 
  18. ^ Flade, Tatiana (April 29, 2011). "Virtue and Moir lead ice dancing". GoldenSkate. http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2010/w_sd.shtml. Retrieved April 30, 2011. 
  19. ^ Flade, Tatiana (April 30, 2011). "Davis and White capture World title". GoldenSkate. http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2010/w_fd.shtml. Retrieved May 21, 2011. 
  20. ^ "Les Russes ne veulent plus préparer les Français à la victoire" (in French). Agence France-Presse. Yahoo. 1 May 2011. http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/01052011/1/01052011155308.html. Retrieved 21 May 2011. 
  21. ^ a b "Off Season chat with Nathalie Péchalat and Fabian Bourzat". Annecy-Infosports. May 26, 2011. http://www.annecy-infosports.com/?p=205. Retrieved June 22, 2011. 
  22. ^ a b Kany, Klaus-Reinhold; Rutherford, Lynn (August 19, 2011). "Summer Notebook: Rockin' the ice in Detroit". icenetwork. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110819&content_id=23430386&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved August 20, 2011. 
  23. ^ a b Peret, Paul (July 4, 2011). "Nathalie Péchalat, Fabian Bourzat and Florent Amodio Leave Russia". IFS Magazine. http://www.ifsmagazine.com/articles/552-nathalie-p-chalat-fabian-bourzat-and-florent-amodio-leave-russia. Retrieved August 2, 2011. 
  24. ^ a b "A l’assaut de la pyramide [Tackling the pyramid]" (in French). Le Progrès. 28 July 2011. http://www.leprogres.fr/sports/2011/07/28/a-l-assaut-de-la-pyramide. Retrieved 28 July 2011. 
  25. ^ a b Berlot, Jean-Christophe (November 16, 2011). "Changes abound for Pechalat, Bourzat". Icenetwork. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111017&content_id=25695648&vkey=ice_news. 
  26. ^ Walker, Elvin (October 22, 2011). "Davis and White dance to easy lead at Skate America". GoldenSkate. http://www.goldenskate.com/2011/10/davis-and-white-dance-to-easy-lead-at-skate-america/. Retrieved October 22, 2011. 
  27. ^ Pucin, Diane (October 22, 2011). "White, Davis win second Skate America ice dance title". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/10/white-davis-win-second-skate-america-ice-dance-title.html. Retrieved October 22, 2011. 
  28. ^ Rutherford, Lynn (October 22, 2011). "Davis, White waltz away with dance crown: World champions fly to Die Fledermaus; French struggle through illness". Icenetwork. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111022&content_id=25753100&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved October 26, 2011. 
  29. ^ "Péchalat/Bourzat forfait [Péchalat/Bourzat withdraw]" (in French). L'Équipe. October 26, 2011. http://www.lequipe.fr/Ski/breves2011/20111026_113553_pechalat-bourzat-forfait.html. Retrieved October 26, 2011. 
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  35. ^ Mittan, Barry (March 5, 2007). "Pechalat and Bourzat Try Not to be Boring". SkateToday. http://www.skatetoday.com/2007/03/05/pechalat-and-bourzat-try-not-to-be-boring/. Retrieved August 8, 2011. 
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  39. ^ a b "Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. http://web.archive.org/web/20090616120013/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00004833.htm. 

External links