A golden opportunity: Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry step into spotlight – exclusive
In a stunning turn of events in the world of figure skating, Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry take to the ice together for the first time at the Masters de Patinage in Villard-de-Lans from August 28 to 30. This new duo, good friends for over a decade, only needed eight months to transition from their initial practice spins to competitive performance.
Cizeron, who clinched gold at Beijing 2022 with former partner Gabriella Papadakis, returns to the competition scene, this time shoulder-to-shoulder with Fournier Beaudry. While Cizeron has a long history filled with accolades, this week poses its unique challenges, marked not by the need to defend a title, but by heightened anticipation and curiosity.
“We wanted to be ready to skate full programmes by August, polished enough to present in competition. That was our goal, and we did it,” Cizeron stated in an exclusive interview. Fournier Beaudry chimed in, expressing, “If we can replicate what we train for, plus the excitement of competition, we’ll be satisfied.”
The duo aims for ambitious goals, notably targeting the Olympic Winter Games in Milano 2026. Facing daunting timelines, they’ve swiftly cultivated a bond both on and off the ice, previously fostered during training camps in Oberstdorf.
“Even though we had time constraints, our skating compatibility shines. It’s remarkable how naturally we flow together,” Cizeron commented, earning a chuckle from Fournier Beaudry, who exclaims, “A golden opportunity!”
As the duo embarks on this extraordinary journey, the absence of pressure is palpable. “We focus more on the opportunity than the risk involved,” Fournier Beaudry noted. “What it means to execute at our level, while having fun, is where we pin our success,” Cizeron concluded.
This partnership, one of synchronized ambition and shared visions, promises stirring performances ahead as they strive to carve their names in history once again—this time together, captivating audiences worldwide.
