At the Milano Cortina Olympics in 2026, the competition in ice dancing remains fierce and unpredictable. With just moments to go before the free dance, the event’s narrative is shifting, highlighting the intense rivalry between disciplined American contenders and the emerging French team. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, champions with a storied history of success, find themselves slightly behind after a minor misstep, putting their hopes of an Olympic gold medal in jeopardy. Meanwhile, a rising French pair, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, have seized a narrow lead after delivering a compelling rhythm dance. As the athletes prepare for the final segment of the competition, the stakes have never been higher, with countries and fans alike eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this thrilling quest for Olympic glory.
Ice Dance Battle Heats Up at Milano Cortina 2026
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina have witnessed a dramatic and closely fought ice dance contest, with current champions and seasoned favorites contending with fresh challengers and emerging stars. The stakes are exceptionally high, given the sport’s history of razor-thin margins and dramatic shifts in standings from segment to segment. On Monday night, the rhythm dance showcased both skill and nerves, setting a tense backdrop for the upcoming free dance, which will decide the medals.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates, recent world champions and recognized for their consistency over the years, were aiming for their second Olympic gold. However, an uncharacteristic slip during their opening pattern step dented their chances. They earned 89.72 points for their rock-and-roll-inspired rhythm dance, just behind the French duo of Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, who scored a finely tuned 90.18 early in the evening. Until the final moments of their program, the Americans had held a slight edge with a season-best 91.06 points in the team event, which added to their reputation as top contenders.
Despite the misstep, Chock and Bates sounded confident post-performance. “The game is always on. You should know us by now,” Chock said with a grin. “We’re not changing anything. We’ve got this locked in, locked in where we know ourselves, know our routine. And yeah, we’ve got this.” Their resilience and focus reflect the confidence that has defined their career—yet, with the French pair holding a narrow lead, they face significant pressure going into the final dance.
The French Pair’s Performance and Controversies
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Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron have made their mark at these Games amidst a backdrop of controversy and personal challenges. The French duo has had a tumultuous lead-up to the Olympics, with Beaudry’s previous association with Canadian skating now clouded by a suspension of her former partner, Nikolaj Sorensen. Though the ban was overturned in June due to jurisdictional issues, the lingering uncertainty has pushed Beaudry to find a new partner—Cizeron, who had retired following his gold-winning run with Gabriella Papadakis in 2022.
Their coupling has been seen as a promising new chapter for French ice dancing, but recent headlines have cast shadows over their preparation. Cizeron has faced accusations stemming from Papadakis’ memoir, “So As Not To Disappear,” where she describes his demanding and emotionally manipulative personality. Cizeron has rejected these claims, calling them false and accusing Papadakis of orchestrating a smear campaign. Despite the distractions, the French team appeared focused during their rhythm dance, delivering a performance that exceeded their earlier showing at the team event.
When their score of over 90 points was announced, Beaudry visibly sat in stunned silence in the kiss-and-cry zone. “We really tried to skate as best as we could,” Cizeron said afterward. “We had a great time, and we’ll try to do the same for the free dance.” Their performance, though not flawless, was a significant improvement and has positioned them as serious medal contenders, poised to challenge the Americans for the top podium spot.
The Contenders and the Path Forward
While Beaudry and Cizeron’s energetic rhythm dance has garnered attention, the true test lies in the upcoming free dance, which will ultimately determine the Olympic medals. Chock and Bates, renowned for their artistic excellence and technical mastery, are widely considered the favorite to reclaim gold. Their previous successes include three consecutive world titles and a dominant presence in the Grand Prix Final over the past four years.
However, their slight slip adds an element of suspense, emphasizing that no lead is secure in ice dancing. The Americans are determined to bring their best to the final segment, with Chock emphasizing their focus on the feeling from their performance: “We’re just going to bring the feeling we had at the end forward, and our coaches will figure that out when the time comes. But we’re really happy with how we performed.”
Meanwhile, other teams are vying for the podium. Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada are currently third with 86.18 points, positioning themselves as strong contenders for a medal in the upcoming free dance. Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson are fighting to earn their nation’s first figure skating medal since 1994, holding the fourth spot.
Adding an emotional element to the competition is Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik of the United States, who are sitting fifth after a memorable performance. Kolesnik, from Ukraine and now an American citizen, recently reunited with family members he hadn’t seen in four years due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Their story resonates deeply with fans, highlighting the personal stories intertwined with the Olympic competition. Kolesnik expressed optimism, stating, “I know it’s the Olympic stage, and for many people, this is the moment of their lives. I just thought of it as a test challenge for our next eight years, because this is just the beginning for us. We’re going to reach higher places.”
Conclusion: The Final Showdown
As the final free dance approaches, the ice dance competition at these Winter Olympics promises to deliver a thrilling conclusion. The top contenders, with a mix of experience, resilience, and raw emotion, are preparing to lay everything on the ice. Whether the Americans can rebound from their minor stumble and defend their title, or the French team can capitalize on their momentum and overcome recent controversy, remains to be seen. The audience watches with bated breath, eager for the final chapter of this captivating contest to unfold, knowing that in ice dancing, every turn, every step, and every emotion counts in the quest for Olympic gold.
