Getting to Know France’s Gianesini & Klaperman

Last season, Ambre Perrier Gianesini & Samuel Blanc Klaperman broke through at the junior level finishing fifth at both Junior Grand Prix events, winning the French junior title and the gold medal at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games. Recently, they spoke to IDC about their carriers and goals for this season.

Tell us about your individual skating journeys, including any early special memories.

Ambre Perrier Ganesini (AG): I used to do ice dance in club for 8 years now. I begin in my home town in the mountains. In my family, we’re all skaters or hockey players so i’ve learned really fast. I remembered just after i get inscription to the club, my dad used to take me really often to public sessions in the ice rink and this was making me so happy to skate and being with him. I will never forget this.

Samuel Blanc Klaperman (SK): I have always trained in Lyon, where I had a few partners before finding Ambre. That’s where our journey began.

What drew you to ice dance?
AG: All my family is skater or hockey players, so i’ve learned how to skate since my younger age. I was not attracted to do it on club and one day, one of my best friend in school was going to lessons at the ice rink and she took me with her. Since this day, I never stopped putting my skates.

SK: When I was younger, my neighbors were skaters and seeing them inspired me to pursue it.

Tell us how your partnership started. Describe the tryout.
SK: Our partnership began quite quickly. At the time, Ambre was training with Isabel Delobel, and I was with Olivier Schoenfelder. We were both looking for a partner, so when our coaches, who obviously know each other well, organized a meeting. After just three days of trying out, we decided to continue together, and Ambre moved to Lyon. It all happened very simply.

AG: I remember that we were joking a lot and really got the same skating skill. I also remember funny thing, it was Sam who gets long hair when i came to try with him.

What is it that you already like most about dancing with your partner?
AG: What i like the most is that Sam is a really hardworking person, with a really funny personality, he always making me laugh.

SK: I think Ambre is very expressive, and it’s details like these that make us complement each other well.

Tell us about your training site and coaches.
SK: We train at the Charlemagne Ice Rink in Lyon. The rink is located in the city center but situated in a quiet area, which makes our daily routine more pleasant. We are fortunate to work on ice with Muriel Boucher-Zazoui, Emi Hirai, Olivier Schoenfelder, and Marien de la Asuncion. In addition to our ice training, we have weekly ballet, sports dance, and physical conditioning classes. It’s unnecessary to praise their technical skills and coaching abilities, but what’s truly remarkable is the team spirit and the good atmosphere among everyone, like a big family.

What has been your favorite skating memory as a team?
AG: My favorite memory was when Sam, Marien and me In Korea tried a really good restaurant after winning the gold medal. It was a really good restaurant but with fish, and we were laughing a lot about me struggling cutting octopus.

SK: I think every competition is a special moment, as the atmosphere is always exceptional, leaving us with wonderful memories each time.

You won gold at the Youth Olympics. Tell us about your experience at the competition and what it meant to you to participate in and win this event.
AG: It was a really enriching experience. I loved it a lot and I was able to meet a lot of people other than ice dancing, which I also really enjoyed. Participating in the Youth Olympics was our goal for this year. We were really very happy to be selected for this event and even more so to be able to proudly represent our country. Participating in the Olympic Games was also very stressful because in France there are never so many people in the arenas. Ultimately when we get on the ice, we realized that it only gives us support and we feel even better. Winning the YOG for us is a symbol of work and merit because throughout this year we have worked as hard as possible to get here and this is only the reward of hard work.

SK: Participating in the Youth Olympic Games and representing our nation was a tremendous honor for us. This competition has become one of my most cherished skating memories, mainly because of the unique and indescribable atmosphere of the Games. Winning gold was an unforgettable moment, a true sense of pride and accomplishment for both of us.

Tell us about your programs for this season.
SK: This season, Olivier choreographed our rhythm dance. We chose to draw inspiration from the 1970s while avoiding too much disco influence. The theme of the program focuses on a man putting on a show to impress a woman. For our free dance, Marien choreographed it. The story is a bit more complex. The first part of the dance illustrates romantic memories, while the second part depicts a present moment of a couple strolling through the capital of love. For the music, we now work with Hugo Chouinard and Karl Hugo, who do an exceptional job in making our programs more harmonious.

Last season the RD theme was from the 1980s and this year it’s 50s, 60s, and 70s. Were you familiar with this music? What has it been like to skate and relate to music that is from so long ago?
AG: These are musical styles that we really enjoy. Last season we worked on the 80s style and finally this year we’re dancing to the 70s so we’re staying almost in the same register. We can also say thank you to our parents who educated us with this style of music and not only with music from our generations. So most of it, I already knew from my mom and dad.

If you could have a lesson with any ice dancer past/present, who would it be? Why?
AG: if i could have a lesson with one of the greatest skaters, i think it would be with Tessa Virtue and Scott Moire who, for me are the greatest examples to have, and also they look so nice and funny.

SK: I’m greatly inspired by Olivier, whom I have the chance to work with every day. However, if I had to choose someone else, it would probably be Scott Moir or Guillaume Cizeron. I admire Scott for his dancing style and Guillaume for his unique skating technique.

What is each of you looking forward to most this skating season? What will be your biggest challenge(s)? What are your goals?
SK: It may sound classic, but I think our biggest challenge this season will be to avoid making mistakes during competitions. Our goals are multiple, but in this first part of the season, one of our main objectives is to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.

What is your first competition this season?
AG: Our first competition this year is the JGP in Ankara, Turkey.

Please share anything you would like our readers to know about you as a team.
AG: We try to convey emotions, our ambition is to try to get closer to what seniors do in terms of interpretation, but also, we’re really super funny. 😉

SK: We can’t wait to show you our programs.