The tension on the ice of Milan-Cortina 2026
Those who read my blogs more often know that I have a weakness for the aesthetics of ice dancing. In the thirty years that I have been moving in the dance world, I have seen countless partnerships emerge and fail. But what we are seeing happen now at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina is a unique spectacle, even for me. Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron are currently at the top after the rhythm dance, with a tiny lead of 0.46 points over the American ice dance pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates.
It is a performance of stature, especially when you consider that this duo has only been officially on the ice together since November last year. The technical performance to Madonna's 'Vogue' was virtually flawless. The jury gave the deciding factor on the technical score of their step sequence. In my experience, that is exactly where the difference is made: the precision in the feet and the timing that remains perfect despite the enormous pressure. But behind this flashy start lies a world of drama and political haste that is keeping the skating world quite preoccupied.
The fast track to French citizenship
What makes this story so spicy is the background of Laurence Fournier Beaudry. She is no stranger to the international ice; she previously competed for Canada and Denmark. To get her alongside the reigning Olympic champion Guillaume Cizeron, a lot of work has been done behind the scenes. She was granted French citizenship in record time last November. This was necessary because Cizeron was left without a partner after his split with Gabriella Papadakis.
In the dance world, we know that a partner change at this level normally takes years to mature. The fact that Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron have already won four of the five major competitions, including the European Championships in Sheffield earlier this year, is technically a miracle. It shows that both dancers individually possess an extremely high level, making the 'click' on the ice immediately visible to the jury.
Controversy and the shadow of the past
Yet, not all that glitters is gold. According to a recent report by the BBC, a dark cloud hangs over this new dream couple. The split between Cizeron and his former partner Papadakis — with whom he won gold in Beijing 2022 and achieved five world titles — was anything but friendly. Papadakis recently released a memoir in which she described their relationship as 'unbalanced' and accused Cizeron of controlling behavior.
Additionally, there is the situation surrounding Fournier Beaudry's previous partner, Nikolaj Sorensen. Although she publicly supports him and stated in the Netflix documentary Glitter and Gold that she trusts him one hundred percent, his past remains a point of discussion in the media. Fournier Beaudry has refused to provide further comment on this matter since her naturalization as a French citizen. At Miss Salsa, we often see that personal dynamics influence performance on the floor, but at this Olympic level, everything is placed under a magnifying glass.
Technical analysis: Why 'Vogue' works
Looking at last Monday's rhythm dance, we see why the jury gave them that small lead. 'Vogue' by Madonna requires a specific style: clean lines, angular movements, and an enormous dose of confidence. This is Cizeron at his best. The way he leads Laurence is technically superior.
Specifically, this means for the viewer:
- Synchronization: Their twizzles were synchronized to the millimeter, which is important for a high-level valuation.
- Expression: Where Chock and Bates (who have been skating together since 2011) have a more organic chemistry, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron bring a theatrical energy that fits this year's theme perfectly.
- Edge usage: The depth of their edges in the step sequences shows that Laurence has mastered the French school of ice dancing in a short time.
What we as dancers can learn from this
From my experience in the dance world, this is an interesting case study on adaptability. Dancers often think they are stuck with one partner or one style. Laurence Fournier Beaudry proves that with the right technique and mindset, you can still make a huge career switch at a later age (she is now 33).
The most important thing is the foundation. Without her years of experience with Sorensen, she would never have had the stability to stand alongside a powerhouse like Cizeron. It also teaches us that chemistry on the dance floor can sometimes be a business arrangement that is transformed into art through pure professionalism. You don't have to be each other's best friends to reach the top of the world together, as long as the technical vision is the same.
The decisive free dance
Wednesday night, the duos return to the ice for the free dance. This is the segment where creativity runs wild, but where fatigue and the mental pressure of the ongoing controversies will also play a role. The 0.46-point lead is negligible; one small misstep and the Americans will walk away with the gold.
According to the latest updates from Reuters, the atmosphere in the French camp is tense but focused. The focus is now entirely on the performance and not on side issues. For fans of the sport, this is one of the most intriguing finals in years. Whether you are team Cizeron or prefer the stability of Chock and Bates, one thing is certain: the level of ice dancing in 2026 is higher than ever before.
I continue to follow it closely, because regardless of the outcome, the way Laurence Fournier Beaudry holds her own in this media frenzy is a performance that deserves deep respect in the international dance world.