Perrier Gianesini and Blanc Klaperman chart a bold new path
Amber Perrier Gianesini and Samuel Blanc Klaperman
Since teaming up in June 2021, French ice dancers Amber Perrier Gianesini and Samuel Blanc Klaperman have steadily worked their way up through junior ranks. Training at the Club des Sports de Glace de Lyon under the guidance of renowned coaches Muriel Zazoui, Emi Hirai, Marien De La Asuncion, and Olivier Shoenfelder, the duo recently wrapped up a memorable season.
In their third year on the Junior Grand Prix (JGP) circuit, the team claimed their first JGP medal, silver, in Wuxi, China. They pocketed two more medals at smaller international events before taking silver at French Junior Nationals. The 2024 Winter Youth Olympic champions then capped off their strong season after placing in the top 10 the 2025 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Reflections and Highlights
When recalling the highlight of their 2024-25 season, both skaters agreed it was the JGP event in China
“It was our first time on a JGP podium, and the atmosphere with all the media and excitement was something I’ll never forget,” said Perrier Gianesini. “All the media in there was crazy and I was really impressed! We did so much. It was super nice and we got to meet friends and other teams.”
Blanc Klaperman echoed the sentiment.
“It was a totally new experience — being in China, standing on the podium, and seeing our efforts pay off,” he said. “We went in hoping for a good result, and it felt like the culmination of everything we worked for.”
Going into the 2025 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, their goal was to deliver clean programs and represent France with pride.
“We knew the top of the ranking was going to be very close, so our goal was to skate our best and show what we have been doing all the season,” Blanc Klaperman said. “But the rhythm dance ended up being a bit disappointing for us, which made the competition harder mentally. But we are proud of what we achieved overall.”
Unfortunate Setback
Unknown to most, however, was the fact that Perrier Gianesini had suffered a fall during practice three weeks before nationals and was still not quite 100% when Junior Worlds came around. Due the injury, they missed valuable training time.
“I think it’s what made us learn a lot this year,” said Blanc Klaperman. “We learned how to prepare ourselves to compete despite a difficult condition. Even if we had issues before competition, we still have to be fully committed during the competition to give our best.”
Perrier Gianesini said she was at about 70-80% going into the event, but didn’t think much about it.
“You just go,” she simply stated. “Because if you don’t go, you will regret this and you will make things not better. You know how to skate. You know how to manage. I was not thinking at all about my knee. Even in the hotel or something, I was like, no, everything is okay. I was warming up really good.”
One of the big lessons for the team was the importance of consistency. Not in just competition, but in training every day.
“We also learned to manage nerves better and focus on the journey, not just results,” Perrier Gianesini said. “This was important. I would say that going into 2025-26 is just to never give up and to trust yourself. I trust my partner. This experience has made us mentally stronger going into the season.”
A Bold Creative Direction
Looking back at how far they’ve come since the 2023-24 season, the team feels that they have gained more confidence as well as improving their and connection on the ice.
“Obviously, we improved on the technical part,” he pointed out, “but I think we did a lot of work on the artistic part. It wasn’t one of our best skills at the beginning, and I feel it’s become stronger in our programs.”
This summer, they have made big strides in refining skating quality, incorporating new lifts and spins, and ensuring each element contributes meaningfully to the program. One area of focus for them is interpretation.
“Especially with the bold programs we have,” said Blanc Klaperman. “We need to commit fully and create a new approach that feels honest and connected.”
Their rhythm dance, choreographed by De La Asuncion, draws inspiration from the world of Magic Mike, aiming to bring a cheeky but tasteful edge to the ice.
“It’s completely different from anything we have done,” said Blanc Klaperman. “The choreography is made to have the Magic Mike-vibe where the man tries to seduce a woman. He’s this dancer of the night. The music is not something that everyone is going to dance on, but we can be like freer and more like unreal dancers that don’t have their skates on, if this makes sense. We hope the judges will like it!”
This theme bodes well for Blanc Klaperman who likes to skate as a character.
“I think Magic Mike is one of those characters that is very unique and maybe in a way easy to identify with,” he explained. “I won’t say it would be easier for me to play it, but it will be much funnier. I think it’s not a character that we usually see on figure skating or even in the arts dance area, because it’s maybe a little bit too much sexy in a way and we are not looking to be vulgar.”
“It’s definitely different for us,” said Perrier Gianesini, noting the character-driven nature of the program. “There’s a fine line between expressive and over-the-top, and we’re careful to keep it on the artistic side. It also gives us freedom to play and perform in ways we haven’t before. The story is fun and energetic, and the choreography reflects that.”
Shoenfelder choreographed the Free Dance which is a Tarzan-themed piece from selections from the soundtrack.
“We chose this music as it challenges us artistically and tells a story,” Perrier Gianesini offered. “It’s been fun to explore, and we are bringing something fresh that might surprise the judges. It’s not typical ice dance music—and that’s the point.”
Blanc Klaperman added that while, like most stories, there’s an element of love, they wanted to take it further.
“Through the music and choreography, we explored something deeper, something wilder,” he shared. “A connection to nature, to instinct. We really went all in on the universe, even if it meant stepping outside the usual ice dance norms.”
Goals: Scores, Stories, and Impact
As with all athletes, both skaters are trying to push their limits every year.
“But we don’t want hard elements just for the sake of difficulty, “Blanc Klaperman pointed out. “We want them to make sense with the music and story.”
When it comes to measurable targets, the duo doesn’t shy away from ambition.
“Let’s aim for 180 total points,” said Blanc Klaperman with a grin, referencing their current personal best of 155. “Of course, we all dream of setting records.”
They’re also focused on qualifying for the Junior Grand Prix Final, after narrowly missing out last season. But beyond scores and placements, their primary goal is to deepen their artistic presence.
“We want to build a stronger connection with the judges—and the audience,” said Perrier Gianesini. “We don’t just skate for points; we skate to move people.”
Samuel echoed the sentiment. “A lot of juniors overlook the artistic side. We want to be the ones showing that you can—and should—bring that to the table even at this level.”
Outside the Rink: Books, Cinema, and Inspiration
Off the ice, both skaters lead busy lives. Blanc Klaperman, who just completed high school, will soon begin a business degree with a focus on finance. He has a bit interest in geopolitics and also enjoys watching movies, with the most recent being The Devil’s Advocate. He also enjoys dabbling in Excel and code in general.
Perrier Gianesini, who loves to dance, is already in her first year of a business bachelor’s program. In her rare free time, she dives into thrillers and long novels—Stephen King being a favorite.
“My mom told me to read The Green Mile before watching the movie,” she said. “It’s better that way. I’m not into love stories, though.”
As for hobbies? “Tennis, a bit,” Blanc Klaperman offered. “And trying to stay tanned—even if we’re in the rink all summer,” Perrier Gianesini agreed, laughing. “You need vitamin D! Sunscreen too—of course!”
Both skaters cited Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, as well as Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, as key inspirations, though their approach to role models is evolving.
“Now I like to take a little bit from everyone,” said Samuel. “You can learn so much by watching what others do well in different programs—even if they’re not your style.”
Perrier Gianesini praised Marjorie Lajoie & Zachary Lagha and Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier for pushing creative boundaries. “That rhythm dance with the costume changes? So clever,” she said. “I love when skaters take risks.”
Ready for the Spotlight
The French Federation’s selection event is scheduled for July 19–20, 2025, where the team will debut their new programs. This serves as a selection process for JPG assignments as well as an opportunity for the judges to provide feedback on their new programs.
There is no rush to compete at the senior level as the team wants to continue to focus on their junior goals and maximize their success. They may be skating for scores—but also for stories, connection, and the joy of evolving as artists on the ice.
With new programs that challenge conventions and a clear artistic vision, Amber Perrier Gianesini and Samuel Blanc Klaperman are more than ready to make their mark this season.
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