Winning a first World title was life-changing for Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, according to their coach, Bruno Marcotte. The Japanese team’s triumph at their home World Championships last year was a career high point and opened many new doors.

However, when Miura/Kihara returned to training in summer 2023 with plans to defend their title, they immediately ran into roadblocks. The duo got a new short program, but soon decided to scrap it. They placed second in their season opener at Autumn Classic. Then Kihara had to take time off due to a back injury (lumbar spondylosis). They missed the entire Grand Prix season and Japanese Nationals. 

Marcotte faced a delicate balancing act in trying to help the team navigate these challenges. Kihara was out of regular training for three months, yet at the same time, they wanted to stay in shape to return later in the season. The duo eventually came back and competed at 2024 Four Continents in late January, winning silver. They were able to train well prior to 2024 Worlds in March, but more problems cropped up in Montreal.

Miura/Kihara mounted a strong defense of their title, scoring 73.53 in the short program and winning the free skate by a narrow margin with 144.35. Both were season’s-best scores. Nonetheless, they again had to settle for silver behind Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Maxime Deschamps of Canada. Also, Miura suffered a subluxation (partial dislocation) of her shoulder in the warm-up prior to the free skate. After the free skate, Kihara’s sudden collapse with asthma-like symptoms delivered the final coup de grace to a season that had been challenging from start to finish. 

After Worlds, Miura and Kihara canceled a number of planned shows to prioritize rest and recovery from their injuries, according to Marcotte. He said in a recent message they expect to return to off-season training within the next week or so. The team’s success in completing the season, despite all the time lost, was a testament to their hard work and Marcotte’s careful management. 

At Worlds in Montreal, I caught up with Marcotte after the pairs short program to talk about how Miura/Kihara tackled this season’s challenges. Marcotte also shared updates on some of the other pairs he’s working with and offered his take on the proposed rules changes for next season, which will be voted on at the ISU Congress in June.

Miura/Kihara: “A really tough season”

Q:  Can you talk about Miura/Kihara and how they were able to prepare for Worlds?

Marcotte:  It was a really tough season this year, with the injury. Because, with the timing of the injury, they couldn’t compete. Of course, they continued to practice. But it’s important to also practice skating under stress; that’s why we do all the competitions leading up to Worlds. In the one competition that they did [before this]–Four Continents–they were not ready. But that’s okay; we learned a lot about what needed to be done. When we came back from Four Continents, we were more strategic about what to work on and what to change. We were training lights-out the entire five weeks leading up to this competition. So this is not a surprise [their score in the short program]. The way they skated today, that’s exactly how they skate every day. For them to come here, to the home turf of Deanna and Maxime … They showed so much strength, and in their minds, too, and I’m so happy for them. The event today was so well-skated.

Q:  When I saw them in practice this morning, I thought, “They’re back!”

Marcotte:  Yes. It’s funny because yesterday, they had not a bad practice, but a weird practice. But this morning, it was like, “Okay, I can step back.” I could tell even from the warm-up that things would be good today. 

Q:  Riku seems to have an intense personality. How did she manage when Ryuichi was injured and was not able to participate in normal training? 

Marcotte:  You know, when they won Worlds, their life changed, right? They had a really busy off-season last year. And they never really had the time to rest. When they came back into training in the summer, things were not quite right. For two-and-a-half years, they were so focused. They sacrificed everything for two-and-a-half years. I think their minds and bodies were a little bit tired after winning Worlds, and after doing all the shows and attending many different functions–which was good, and which was important to do. I think they needed that step back. So when the injury happened, we could use that as a reason to really focus on smaller things–working on edges, and on communicating with the eyes while skating. Riku was very supportive of Ryuichi. She used this moment to really focus on getting herself back into her best shape. She also went for treatment on her shoulder from a previous injury [dislocation]. So when Ryuichi would come back, things would go faster.

Q:  Did they go back to Japan at any point for Ryuichi’s treatment or rehab? Or were they in Canada the whole time? 

Marcotte:  No, everything was done in Toronto. We were able to find a very good team of people who had a lot of experience treating the same type of injury with figure skaters and ballet dancers. We were really lucky to find this. I think it was really important to be in Canada, where we could keep training going, and also with Riku’s environment here, which she loves. And for Ryuichi, instead of waiting in Japan until he is fully recovered, he could come to the rink. It was good for his mental psyche. It was very important to spend as much of the day [as possible] doing things that he was accustomed to. I feel if he had been in Japan, away from their normal training days, it would have been more difficult mentally to recover from that injury. Their mothers also came to Canada to support them.

Q:  Despite the injury, it seems like you were able to add complexity to Miura/Kihara’s skating this season, for example, the new flip transition before their death spiral.

Marcotte:  Yes, that little flip before the death spiral, that’s brand-new, from four weeks ago. Julie [Marcotte, choreographer] came and had some really good ideas, and we were able to upgrade that. There were actually a lot of new things that we were working on after Four Continents that we couldn’t do [for Worlds]. Also, last year, their jump combination [in the free skate] was triple toe/double toe/double Axel. This year, they’re going for triple toe/double Axel/double Axel. So this is harder. 

Q:  It seemed like it was a struggle this season to find the right material or look for them with the programs. They replaced their first short program with another new program, and also later gave up on their new free skate and went back to their “Woman” free skate. What do you see as their path in the future with programs and artistry?

Marcotte:  It’s going to be important to push the envelope. It’s going to be important for them to try new styles. I know they should try new things–they know they should–everybody knows. But it’s also like, when you have success, it’s hard to really get out of the formula of what works. We tried a different short [program], early in the season. And it was really hard for Ryuichi to get himself into this mindset of this type of music [“I Put a Spell on You” by Kandace Springs]. I think they want to try something new; it’s just finding the right music, something that is different, but where they also feel comfortable. It’s hard. You look at the Italians [Sara Conti/Niccolo Macii]. They brought back their “Oblivion” tango program for Worlds, and it’s their fourth year doing the same short program. Because you try other music, and then you don’t feel comfortable, and you don’t get the points. So of course, it’s natural to go back to what you know. But I think we have an idea of which direction to go for next year. So we’ll see.

Q:  With their music, do Miura/Kihara typically rely on you or Julie to suggest pieces? Or do they bring their own ideas?

Marcotte:  They bring things, I bring things, Julie brings things. My strength as a coach is that I’m usually good at being strategic as to what needs to be addressed. I’m not afraid to say, ‘This is not working, let’s scrap it.’ If it’s not working, it’s not working, right? And usually I can eventually find music for the direction we should be going. But it’s not easy. When you go completely out of your comfort zone, it’s important that you have as much time as possible to feel 100 percent comfortable. So for a season that’s full of injury, it’s impossible to do that. Hopefully the next season will be injury-free, and we can go out of [the comfort zone], maybe not for both programs, but maybe for the short program.

His work with other teams

Q:  You’ve also been coaching Fiona Bombardier, who has skated both singles and pairs with Gabriel Farand. Recently, she teamed up with Benjamin Mimar. Are you going to coach  them? 

Marcotte:  Yes.

Q:  Can you talk about Fiona’s transition to pairs–at least part-time? 

Marcotte:  So, last year was an experience for her. She wanted to know, and she really, really fell in love with the sport [of pairs skating]. She loves to do throws, she loves the twist, and she definitely has the right mindset to be an amazing pairs girl. She is so gutsy and fearless. So I think she’ll be actually a really, really good pairs skater. Right now, she is committed full-time. And I think because of that, mixed with the experience of Ben, I think you’re going to see a big difference in the upcoming season. So I’m looking forward to it.

Q:  Is Fiona going to continue in singles as well?

Marcotte:  No.

Q:  Was it a surprise when she teamed up with Ben? How did that happen?

Marcotte:  It wasn’t that surprising–Ben was already working with our school. [Note: Mimar had also worked with coach Andrew Evans.] I think the bigger surprise was that Fiona’s last partner, Gabriel Farand, decided to quit skating. That was a surprise. Brooke and Ben were already done [at that point], and Ben was looking for a partner. When Gabriel decided to quit, Fiona did the tryout with Ben. She did a tryout with another boy, and Ben did some other tryouts. But then they decided to give it a go. 

Q:  You’ve also been working part-time with current U.S. pairs champions Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea. How has that been?

Marcotte:  Awesome. I really love working with them. They’re really nice people. And Drew Meekins, their coach, supports it 100 percent. Sometimes when there’s a collaboration, it’s an uncomfortable situation. But Drew is so generous. In this situation, it’s so natural, because there is trust, and there’s a great relationship already established between the two coaches. They come and see me sometimes, and we do some video [work]. It’s a good partnership.

Q:  How did you first start working together? 

Marcotte:  I got a call from Drew. He said, ‘Can you help me?’ I said, ‘Yes, sure.’ And then two days later, we started.

Q:  Kam/O’Shea have struggled a bit with throw jumps. In your view, what do they need to do to get more comfortable with the throws?

Marcotte:  Ellie’s figured them out. She does them in practice. Usually when a team gets together, they go and train for a couple of months, and grow, and then they’re put into the spotlight. Ellie was put in the spotlight right from the get-go. I think a lot of people that follow them don’t realize how little experience she has. I find that she’s figured out those throws. She’s just got to trust it, and do exactly what they do in practice in competition. I’ve seen them do a lot of good programs. For me, every time I see them, they’re better. They keep improving. So I honestly think it’s only going to go upward.

Q:  We’ve heard about the proposed new rules changes for pairs. Do you think they will pass the ISU Congress and go into effect next season?

Marcotte:  Until the ISU Congress happens, it’s speculation. Maybe some will be accepted, and some won’t be accepted. The tricky part is that Congress is quite late [in June], and usually people have their programs by then. Having major changes for next season, because of the timing, is tough. But everybody’s in the same situation. 

Q:  One of the proposed changes involves transitioning a leveled lift in the free skate to a choreo lift. What do you think about that?

Marcotte:  It’s good. It’s fine. Personally, I would like for them to add, and not remove, things, and maybe do something else [in lifts]. Lifts and throws are what makes us different from ice dance and other events. But I think it’s important that we bring in an element of the spectacular, an element of originality. It’s important for people that watch the sport. Because right now, when you watch a competition, pretty much everybody does the same lifts. So hopefully this choreo lift will be very different from the other lifts. I really hope that it’s not restricted by level, that it’s judged by personality. That would be cool. 

From what I’ve heard, from the fans, it’s hard for people to understand our scores. So if we keep changing things, or changing base value too often, it’s hard to know what scores mean. For example, watching today’s short program, the Canadians scored 77.48, and Miura/Kihara scored 73.53. Last year, we scored around 80 points in the short program. What people don’t realize is that this year’s base value in the short program is several points lower [due to the different lift and death spiral required this year]. So this year, a 77 is [equivalent to] an 80. This year’s 73 is a 76 or 77. 

I think it’s important that people always look at what it all means. I want to grow the sport; I’m all for making adjustments. But it’s important that fans understand what it means for the scores.