Laurence Fournier Beaudry Eyes Olympic Gold with Montreal Ice Powerhouse
The Ice Academy of Montreal is back in the spotlight and this time, the story revolves around Laurence Fournier Beaudry, a Canadian-born skater now competing for France. She’s part of a new partnership with Guillaume Cizeron, the former Olympic champion and together they are chasing gold at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. What makes this story remarkable isn’t just the ambition of this pair, but the system that has made them—and so many others—Olympic contenders.
Founded in 2010 by Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, two-time world silver medallists for Canada, the Ice Academy of Montreal, or I.AM, has grown into a global hub for elite ice dancers. Today, 13 of the 23 ice dance teams at these Olympics train under its roof. The school’s approach is unusual: skaters who are rivals on the Olympic stage practice side by side daily, learning from each other, yet each team maintains a unique identity and style. The philosophy is simple—push the boundaries of the sport while supporting the individual skater’s creativity and growth.
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For Fournier Beaudry, this environment has been transformative. After a career in Canada, she found herself without a partner when her previous team dissolved under difficult circumstances. Cizeron, not ready to retire, approached her and the pair quickly formed a partnership built on years of friendship and trust. Their synergy on the ice, combined with the meticulous coaching of Dubreuil, Lauzon and Roman Haguenauer, has propelled them to the top ranks, putting them firmly in contention for an Olympic medal.
The academy’s dominance, however, isn’t just about talent. It’s also about preparation and strategy. Coaches rotate through the teams, choreographers fine-tune routines and every element is scrutinized for perfection. This method has produced past Olympic champions like Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir in 2018 and Papadakis and Cizeron in 2022. Now, with Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, the academy could see another gold added to its legacy.
Yet, not everyone is part of this ecosystem. Canadian champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier train in Toronto and they remain strong competitors despite being outside I.AM. The dynamic at the academy, with its blend of rivalry and camaraderie, creates an unusual and high-pressure environment where skaters are constantly pushed to excel.
As the rhythm dance kicks off in Milan, all eyes will be on Fournier Beaudry and her partner. This isn’t just a story of one Olympic quest—it’s a window into how one Canadian academy has reshaped the global landscape of ice dance. For viewers watching around the world, it’s a chance to witness a unique blend of artistry, athleticism and strategy at the highest level. Stay tuned as this story unfolds, because in the world of Olympic ice dance, every twist, lift and turn could be the difference between history and heartbreak.
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