'My worst nightmare at the Olympics' - How ice dancer Gabriella Papadakis suffered dress malfunction

ByEurosport

Updated 19/02/2018 at 10:36 GMT

Gabriella Papadakis endured her "worst nightmare" as the French figure skater's dress came undone during her short dance routine with Guillaume Cizeron. Here is how the very unfortunate situation unfolded.

The 22-year-old suffered the ill-timed malfunction just seconds into the short dance routine as her dress came undone.

Papadakis somehow not only managed to put the distraction to one side and complete the routine with Cizeron, but their performance saw the pair assume second place ahead of Tuesday's free dance.

After the performance she revealed that she "felt it right away and prayed".

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Astonishingly, the Olympic debutants scored a hugely impressive 81.93 points - only just behind Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who broke the world record with 83.67.

This was how Papadakis' nightmare unfolded:

First, Cizeron's hand accidentally dislodges his partner's choker

Gabriella Papadakis and partner Guillaume Cizeron

Image credit: Getty Images

The choker detaches and falls free

Gabriella Papadakis and partner Guillaume Cizeron

Image credit: Getty Images

As the choker slips it brings the left of her garment out of place

Gabriella Papadakis and partner Guillaume Cizeron

Image credit: Getty Images

Poor Papadakis is left exposed, as can be seen from the back

Gabriella Papadakis and partner Guillaume Cizeron

Image credit: Getty Images

"It was pretty distracting," she said.

My worst nightmare at the Olympics. I told myself 'you have to keep going'.

"That's what we did, and we have to be proud of ourselves, delivering a great performance with that happening."

Remarkably, despite the embarrassing, and distracting, situation for Papadakis and Cizeron, the pair remain very much in contention for gold.

Papadakis's "nightmare" could yet end up leading to her dream coming true.

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