Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier: “Illnesses and injuries can happen at any time. But that’s not the end of the world. It was even good that we skipped the Four Continents, we’re much less tired than we usually are by the end of March.”
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier talked about how they prepared for the 2023 World Championships.
source: sports.ru by Maya Bagryantseva.
Piper Gilles: It’s an incredible feeling to be here in Tokyo after such a long break. We haven’t competed for three months. The operation (Piper had her appendix removed in December 2022; Sports.ru) was planned; we knew that I would have to go to the hospital right after the Grand Prix Final.
At first, of course, I had a somewhat unrealistic assessment of my prospects; I thought I would be back to full training in just two weeks after the operation (laughs). Well, yes, I got on the ice, but I could only skate very slowly and hunched over.
Now that I’m completely recovered, the only thing bothering me is jet lag after the flight. It was even good that we skipped the Four Continents Championships; there was time to work on those aspects that usually we don’t have time for during the season. We are fully ready to compete.
Paul Poirier: Yes, we only reached our full skating potential at the end of January. Right now, I would say we are exactly in the shape we usually approach the World Championships with. Even better, we are much less tired than we usually are by the end of March. So we are full of energy.
Piper Gilles: During the pandemic, we learned to appreciate our time off the ice, doing what we love and what makes us happy. Because figure skating is not our whole life, it is important to maintain a balance between our regular life and sport. Yes, illnesses and injuries can happen at any time. Well, that’s not the end of the world.
Paul Poirier: We haven’t made any major changes to our programs, maybe just a couple of minor adjustments. It feels great, you know, especially when you remember last season when we had to constantly change something in our routines. Still, the body needs to get used to the programs; a certain muscle memory must be developed.
Related topics: Piper Gilles Paul Poirier, world championship
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