After finishing fifth last year at the European Championships in Kaunas, Loïcia Demougeot and Théo Lemercier are getting ready to take the ice in Tallinn for this year’s European Championships.
Skate Info Glace: You changed your rhythm dance at the beginning of the season. Can you explain why?
Théo: We really liked our previous program, but we suspected it might not be fully understood or considered fitting for the theme. We gave it a try. It didn’t work out, so we changed it, and things are much better now. We chose something more in our style and more dynamic. This change made the start of the season difficult, as we fell a bit behind on the free dance, but we’ve caught up since.
Skate Info Glace: How did the rhythm dance go at the French Championships?
Théo: I think we skated it very well. We managed to dance all the way through, and we had fun.
Loïcia: We worked a lot to keep the artistic aspect strong until the end because it requires so much energy. Since we prepared it mid-season, we sometimes struggled to perform it fully. At the French Championships, we managed to show part of our hard work despite the cold and fatigue.
Skate Info Glace: What did you think of the score?
Théo: I was disappointed. Scores don’t go very high when we skate in France.
Loïcia: Our components aren’t the same as in international competitions. It’s hard to understand. Competitions in France have become stressful, and we stress more about scores than about performances. Maybe judges in France don’t appreciate our skating style as much, but we try to maintain our identity while improving what can be improved.
Skate Info Glace: How would you analyze your two Grand Prix events in China and Japan?
Loïcia: We’re relatively happy with our performances, considering the delay we had at the beginning of the season. We weren’t completely confident in our programs, and the competition was fierce, but we had to stay in the race for the rest of the season. We gained experience in handling major competitions, and it was amazing to skate alongside top teams. It also strengthens the relationships between skaters. That’s, for me, the biggest difference between the junior and senior categories. Everyone stayed in their bubble among the girls in juniors, and we didn’t talk much.
Théo: That was never the case with the guys (laughs).
Loïcia: In seniors, everyone has their own identity. The competition feels different. I like that it’s done with respect. “You skated better than me this time, congrats!” No hard feelings.
Skate Info Glace: We saw on social media that you spent time with Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri.
Loïcia: We really like them. It’s nice to see a team with 15 years of experience wanting to connect with younger skaters. We can talk about anything with them. It’s very enriching to exchange thoughts about their experience. You’d think they’d keep things to themselves, but they’re very open and honest about their career and how they’ve managed it.
Skate Info Glace: Théo, you mentioned that the atmosphere has always been good with the other skaters.
Théo: Yes, that’s always been the case. I have great relationships with almost everyone. Of course, there are people I know less. I really like Michael Parsons, Zachary Lagha, Anthony Ponomarenko... I became friends with Tim Dieck this season. I love competing with them, and the locker room atmosphere is always very relaxed.
Skate Info Glace: At the Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, you were in the audience, Théo, and volunteering, Loïcia. Many spectators were surprised to see you welcoming them!
Loïcia: I’m pursuing a coaching diploma. We had a meeting during the Final.
Théo: By the way, I got my diploma!
Loïcia: Yes, congrats! As for me, I’m still working on it. We were invited to watch the practices and competitions and to help the volunteers. It’s true that it was funny when spectators recognized me—without makeup, too! I looked quite different from the skater they usually see on the ice.
Théo: I didn’t have that problem (laughs).
Loïcia: It was nice to chat with the audience, and the atmosphere was incredible. I was there from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and saw everything. I cheered for all the French skaters, both juniors and seniors. Even though our friends Célina and Jean-Hans didn’t perform as well as they’d hoped, they still managed well under such stressful conditions—a Final in France, with so many familiar faces in the stands, is not easy.
Théo: I came the first few days, but on the last day, there was 70 cm of snow in Villard in just a few hours. I didn’t want to risk driving, so I watched online.
Skate Info Glace: You haven’t participated in the French Grand Prix for the past two years. Don’t you miss it?
Théo: Yes! Angers was one of the most incredible competitions of our lives. The rink was packed, and it was the first time we were cheered on so much. It’s a great memory. We love competing internationally in France.
Skate Info Glace: Was it your choice to compete in the Japanese and Chinese Grand Prix this year?
Théo: If we do a Grand Prix outside of France, it gives another French team the chance to compete in a Grand Prix while they may not have been selected outside of France. Competing in Asia is also an incredible experience. The arenas hold 20,000 people—it’s impressive. It also allows us to travel and visit new places. But the competition in China this year was very tough. Maybe it would have been easier to skate in France.
Skate Info Glace: I see you enjoy your travels. I imagine you didn’t know Chongqing as well as Tokyo. What was it like?
Théo: The two cities were very different during the day, but the nightlife was surprisingly similar. I really enjoyed Chongqing’s downtown. They know how to party (laughs).
Skate Info Glace: So you party at Grand Prix events…?
Théo: Of course! Not before the competition, though (laughs)! But once it’s over, we like to meet up with friends and enjoy ourselves.
Skate Info Glace: You launched a fundraising campaign. Can you tell us more about it?
Loïcia: It’s with an association near Belfort that helps athletes aiming for the Olympics. We rely heavily on various financial aids.
Théo: The city of Belfort supports us a lot. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to fund our training in proper conditions.
Loïcia: The Federation’s support depends on our results, so it’s hard to predict in advance. That’s why we partnered with Objectif Podium to create more opportunities. It also allows us access to more specialists to help us improve. That said, we’re lucky to train in Villard-de-Lans, where costs are lower compared to other training centers.
Théo: It’s probably the less expensive training center in the world for high-level training with such good results.
Loïcia: Villard has always aimed to make high-level skating accessible to everyone, not just those with financial means. We’re very grateful for that! But there are still other expenses. For example, we’re on our third rhythm dance costume this year. Costs add up quickly. People don’t always realize how much expense there is in high-level figure skating.
Théo: We need to secure funds because we’re never safe from unforeseen problems. We don’t have fixed salaries. That’s the reality of amateur sports in France. That said, we’re better off than some athletes who really struggle. But we need to keep seeking funds and partnerships to remain financially stable and do what we love.
Skate Info Glace: On the fundraising's website, you wrote, “We have two very atypical personalities.” Can you elaborate?
Théo: It’s mainly because we’re very different from each other. We’re opposites!
Loïcia: Also, compared to the figure skating world, we don’t always fit the mold. We’re French, with a natural vibe. I think people appreciate that. We’re ourselves on the ice, though we sometimes play a role for specific programs.
Théo: My “atypical” side also comes from the fact that I didn’t grow up in the skating world. I was with footballers, handball players, etc. I started high-level ice dancing at 15. Before that, I only skated five hours and did lots of other sports.
Skate Info Glace: Five hours... per week?
Théo: Yes! We were lucky to have a very good club when we started skating. Even with few hours, we could perform well. Loïcia was several times the French champion in solo ice dance, and I was French champion with a former partner. We competed against skaters who trained much more. Practicing other sports helped me. I played handball, gymnastics, tennis, and lots of other things! I trained as much as I do now, but it wasn’t all focused on skating.
Skate Info Glace: Let’s talk about the European Championships. Last year, you placed fifth—a fantastic performance. How are you approaching the competition this year with such strong competitors?
Théo: We’re aware that the level is higher. Our scores are slightly lower than last year’s, but I think we’ve improved. Other teams have progressed, and it might be tough to catch them this year. It’s a very close generation. Things can go either way in any competition this year or next. We don’t know what the future holds. Anything is possible. The best-prepared team will come out on top. That’s what I love about competition. It’s why I do sports. We’ll aim as high as possible.
Solène Mathieu - Skate Info Glace
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