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[ICE TIME] Kaori Sakamoto Ends Partnership with Choreographer Benoit Richaud

The move is somewhat puzzling, considering the innovative and iconic programs Richaud created for her since they began working together in 2017.

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It has been said that nothing lasts forever.

So while the end to the highly successful collaboration by world champion Kaori Sakamoto and French choreographer Benoit Richaud may have seemed possible at some point, it almost certainly did not seem probable in the wake of the best season of her career.

But this is exactly what has happened after the Olympic bronze medalist announced recently that she would have new choreographers this season for both her short and free programs.

The move seems something of a head scratcher, considering the innovative and iconic programs the talented Richaud had created for her since they began working together in 2017. The pair clearly shared a special chemistry that came out in her programs on the ice.

Kaori Sakamoto

During the partnership with Richaud, Sakamoto won two Olympic medals (one individual, one team), two Japan titles, six Grand Prix medals, and earned a total of four medals at the Japan nationals.

Only time will tell if this is a decision that Sakamoto will come to regret.

Ice Time contacted Richaud about Sakamoto’s move, but he declined to comment.

Richaud choreographed both of Sakamoto’s programs in the 2017-18 season, including the unique “Amelie,” when she went on to finish sixth at the Pyeongchang Olympics, and also last season which culminated with her first Olympic medals and maiden world title.

In a joint interview with the Kobe Shimbun and Daily Sports, Sakamoto revealed that she traveled to the United States in late April to get a short new program (“Rock With U”) from American Rohene Ward, who has also worked with Jason Brown and Mariah Bell.

“Until now, I have been prioritizing my personality, but I want to fight on a different line,” Sakamoto was quoted as saying. “...For further evolution, I chose to leave the famous combination with Mr. Richaud, who I was accustomed to.” 

Sakamoto talked about the contrast between the work of Richaud and Ward.

“It’s completely different,” Sakamoto stated. “Benoit often moves his body a lot and has lines. Quick, smooth movement. Rohene is almost dancing. I think the body that I have been using with Benoit will move in another good direction.”

Canadian choreographer Marie-France Dubreuil will set up Sakamoto’s free skate for this season.

Sakamoto is currently touring with Yuzuru Hanyu and “Fantasy on Ice. She is set to make her competitive debut for the new season at the Gensan Summer Cup in Shiga Prefecture in August.

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“...[These] 17 years were spun out of thin air. Like the previous 15, and before that 14,” Arutunian commented in a recent interview with rsport.ria.ru that was translated and posted on fs-gossips.com. 

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Davis’ partner Gleb Smolkin is also Russian. If he was granted a release by the Russian federation, he could skate for the US in international competitions, but not the Olympics, where citizenship is required.

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Author: Jack Gallagher

The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world’s foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, here, and find him on Twitter @sportsjapan.

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