Fresh off their remarkable Olympic triumph, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron are approaching the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships with a noticeably different mindset — one that is less about expectation and more about enjoyment.
The French ice dance pair, who only teamed up recently but quickly rose to the top of the sport, say they are now skating with a sense of freedom that was harder to find during the intense Olympic build-up. After months of pressure, scrutiny and high-stakes performances, the duo feels they can finally focus on expressing themselves on the ice.
Cizeron, already a multiple-time world champion with his former partner, has spoken about how much more relaxed the atmosphere feels now. Instead of chasing perfection, the emphasis has shifted towards delivering performances they genuinely enjoy. Fournier-Beaudry echoed similar sentiments, saying the experience of competing without the same weight of expectation allows them to connect better with their routine and the audience.
Their journey over the past year has been anything but ordinary. Forming a new partnership so close to the Olympics is rare in a sport that relies heavily on long-term chemistry. Yet, the pair not only adapted quickly but went on to claim Olympic gold, underlining their rapid rise and strong understanding on the ice.
Now, heading into the World Championships, they are trying to hold on to that sense of perspective. Rather than getting caught up in results, their focus is on refining their performance and enjoying the moment — something they admit was harder to do when Olympic stakes were at their peak.
There is still plenty on the line, with the World Championships offering another chance to cement their status at the top of the sport. But for Fournier-Beaudry and Cizeron, the bigger shift seems to be internal.
After a season defined by rapid success and intense pressure, they are choosing to skate a little more freely — and perhaps, that could make them even more dangerous on the ice.
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