Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron are the French ice dance duo leading the Olympic field at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. The newly formed partnership sits just 0.46 points ahead of Madison Chock and Evan Bates after the rhythm dance, positioning them for a potential gold medal. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Guillaume Cizeron Is the Reigning Olympic Champion
Cizeron, 31, already owns Olympic gold. He won the ice dance title at the 2022 Beijing Games alongside longtime partner Gabriella Papadakis. The pair also claimed five world titles before announcing a competitive break in 2022 and later retiring.
Now skating with Fournier Beaudry, Cizeron is attempting to become a back-to-back Olympic champion with a different partner. After the rhythm dance in Milan, he told reporters via Reuters, “We started a new chapter a year ago. Neither of us would have thought we’d be here today, so everything is like a bonus for us.”
Since forming their partnership, the duo has won four of five major competitions, including the 2026 European Championship.
2. Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron Formed a Rapid Partnership
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron announced their partnership on Instagram in March 2025, less than a year before the Olympics. Despite limited time together, they quickly established chemistry on the ice.
Their rhythm dance to Madonna’s “Vogue” in Milan was described as technically flawless, earning them a 90.18 and a narrow lead. Judges awarded the French pair a stronger technical score on their step sequence, which created the slim advantage over the Americans.
The free dance will determine whether their fast-tracked partnership results in Olympic gold.
3. Laurence Fournier Beaudry Previously Competed for Canada and Denmark
Fournier Beaudry competed internationally for Canada and Denmark before joining forces with Cizeron. She obtained French citizenship in order to compete for France alongside him.
Her previous partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, was suspended in 2024 following allegations of a 2012 sexual assault involving a former skater and coach. Sorensen denied the allegations. The suspension was later overturned on jurisdictional grounds by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.
In Netflix’s docuseries “Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing,” Fournier Beaudry said the situation ended that partnership. When asked about public criticism during the Olympics, she said she and Cizeron “have no thoughts” and are “focused on the Olympics,” according to sports reporter Christine Brennan.
4. Guillaume Cizeron Responded to Memoir Allegations
In January 2026, Gabriella Papadakis released her memoir So as Not to Disappear, describing what she called an “unbalanced relationship” with Cizeron. She alleged feeling “under his grip” and described him as “controlling” and “demanding.”
Cizeron denied the claims in statements to Reuters. “I want to express my incomprehension and disagreement with the labels attributed to me,” he said. “The book contains false information, including statements I never made, which I consider serious.”
He added, “For more than 20 years, I have shown deep respect for Gabriella Papadakis. Despite the gradual erosion of our bond, our relationship was built on equal collaboration and marked by success and mutual support.”
5. Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron Enter the Free Dance With a Slim Lead
After Monday’s rhythm dance, the French team leads by less than half a point. The combined scores from the rhythm dance and free dance will determine the final standings.
The free dance segment allows greater artistic freedom, but the rhythm dance required specific technical elements that judges used for direct comparison. The French pair’s stronger step sequence gave them the edge.
French Ice Dancers Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron: Five Fast Facts You Need to Know