Pascal Lavanchy (born 20 July 1968) is a French former ice dancer. With partner Sophie Moniotte, he is a two-time World medalist (1994 silver, 1995 bronze) and two-time European medalist (1995 silver, 1997 bronze).
Skating career Lavanchy began skating in Morzine. He entered ice dancing immediately and partnered with an older skater, Isabelle Marcellin. After their split, he teamed up with Sophie Moniotte.
Moniotte/Lavanchy began competing internationally in the 1980s. In 1992, they competed at their first Winter Olympics, finishing ninth at the event in Albertville, France.
In the 1993–94 season, Moniotte/Lavanchy stood atop the podium at the 1993 Skate America and 1993 Skate Canada International. They placed fifth at the 1994 European Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark and at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. They were awarded silver at the final event of the season, the 1994 World Championships in Chiba, Japan.
In 1994–95, Moniotte/Lavanchy won the 1994 NHK Trophy and their third consecutive national title. The duo then won silver at the 1995 European Championships in Dortmund, Germany and bronze at the 1995 World Championships in Birmingham, England.
In the 1995–96 season, Moniotte/Lavanchy were invited to compete at two events of the inaugural Champions Series (Grand Prix), the 1995 Skate America and 1995 Nations Cup. They withdrew due to injury. On 19 October 1995, Moniotte fractured the lateral malleolus of her left ankle while training at the Colombes rink. Although she resumed training in January 1996, she had not recovered and the duo ultimately decided to withdraw from the 1996 World Championships.
Moniotte/Lavanchy returned to competition in the 1996–97 season. In October 1996, they finished second to Marina Anissina / Gwendal Peizerat at the French Championships, having placed first in the compulsory and original dances and second in the free dance. Despite the loss of their national title, they edged out Anissina/Peizerat for the bronze medal at the 1997 European Championships in Paris, France. Moniotte/Lavanchy then placed fourth at the 1997 World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, again finishing as the top French team.
In the 1997–98 season, Moniotte/Lavanchy once again lost to Anissina/Peizerat at the French Championships and then slipped behind internationally, placing seventh at the 1998 European Championships in Milan, Italy. Moniotte/Lavanchy became three-time Olympians at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. They placed 11th and then retired from competition.
Later life Following the end of his skating career, Lavanchy became a stunt driver.
Programs (with Moniotte)
Season Original dance Free dance Exhibition 1997–1998 Great Balls of Fire Riverdance by Bill Whelan 1996–1997 Adiós Nonino by Astor Piazzolla Whistle Hora The Two Guitars () Schindler's List by John Williams 1995–1996 Gypsy folk: ? Kalinka by Ivan Larionov Who Framed Roger Rabbit 1994–1995 Down for the double Reno Do Right Woman The little man who wasn't there Echoes of Harlem Romping Why don't you do right (from Who Framed Roger Rabbit) Do Right Woman 1993–1994 A Day in the Life of a Fool Top Hat Shall We Dance Swing Time Follow the Fleet Nessun dorma (from Turandot) by Giacomo Puccini 1992–1993 Black Orpheus () by Luiz Bonfá, Antônio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto 1991–1992 Polka: Don't Cry Beetlejuice by Danny Elfman The Witches of Eastwick by John Williams
Results CS: Champions Series (Grand Prix)
with Moniotte International Event 87–88 88–89 89–90 90–91 91–92 92–93 93–94 94–95 95–96 96–97 97–98 Olympics 9th 5th 11th Worlds 6th 5th 2nd 3rd WD 4th Europeans 11th 9th 8th 6th 5th 2nd 3rd 7th Nations Cup WD 3rd NHK Trophy 1st Skate America WD 3rd Inter. de Paris 6th 2nd 1st NHK Trophy 6th 3rd 1st Schäfer Memorial 6th Skate America 2nd 1st Skate Canada 6th 2nd 1st International: Junior Junior Worlds 5th National French Champ. 3rd 2nd WD 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st WD 2nd 2nd WD = Withdrew
References