Prague, Czech Republic – Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron added to their already impressive accolades on Saturday, securing the gold medal in ice dance at the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague. The victory comes on the heels of their Olympic triumph and marks a historic achievement for the French duo, completing a rare Olympic-World Championship double.
The pair delivered a stunning free dance performance, solidifying their lead established after Friday’s rhythm dance. Their total score of 230.81 points placed them comfortably ahead of Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (211.52) and the American team of Zingas and Kolesnik (209.20). This win represents a first World Championship title for Fournier Beaudry, although Cizeron claims his sixth, adding to the five he previously won with former partner Gabriella Papadakis.
“It’s an incredible moment, we hoped we could do it and we did,” Fournier Beaudry shared with the organization following their win. Cizeron echoed her sentiment, adding, “It was a suspended moment, a very special moment. It was crazy to feel your eyes on us,” addressing the enthusiastic crowd in Prague.
Their performance, set to music from the film The Whale, was particularly noteworthy, earning them a personal best score of 138.07 points in the free dance segment. This builds on their strong rhythm dance performance on Friday, where they achieved a new personal record of 92.74 points and also set a new French record.
A Historic Achievement
This victory is particularly significant as it marks the first time a team has won both the Olympic and World Championship titles in the same season since Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko of Russia achieved the feat 34 years ago. Cizeron’s journey to this point is also remarkable; he now boasts six World Championship titles, a testament to his consistent excellence in the sport. Fournier Beaudry, skating with Cizeron for just 14 months, celebrates her first World Championship gold.
The competition unfolded in the absence of American ice dance stars Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who were not competing in Prague. However, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron’s dominance was clear, demonstrating their ability to perform at the highest level even without direct competition from their rivals.
Another French team, Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud, also had a strong showing, finishing in sixth place overall. This represents their best-ever result at the World Championships, showcasing the growing strength of French ice dance. They were fifth after the rhythm dance and delivered a poetic free dance program.
The win solidifies France’s position as a leading force in figure skating. The duo’s seamless partnership and innovative choreography have captivated audiences and judges alike. Their ability to connect with the music and deliver emotionally resonant performances sets them apart in a highly competitive field.
For Fournier Beaudry, this World Championship title is the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. Joining forces with Cizeron has clearly proven to be a winning combination and their future in the sport looks incredibly bright. The pair’s success is a source of national pride for France and a testament to the power of collaboration and perseverance.
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships continue with events in other disciplines. Fans can follow updates and results on the official ISU website ([https://www.isu.org/](https://www.isu.org/)).
Next Up: The championships continue in Prague with the remaining disciplines. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage and analysis.
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