A few weeks after their Olympic title, the French Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry from Montreal dominated the rhythm dance at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague on Friday and appear to be heading towards the world title. The French duo set a season-best score of 92.74 points with their program inspired by Madonna’s famous hit “Vogue.”
Before the free dance scheduled for Saturday, they hold a comfortable lead of over 6 points ahead of their closest competitors, Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (86.45), who won bronze at the Olympics in Milan-Cortina last month.
If they win, Guillaume Cizeron would secure his sixth world crown after winning five with his former partner, Gabriella Papadakis (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2022). For Laurence Fournier Beaudry, it would be her first world title.
Meanwhile, Canadian pair Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha are in 8th place with 80.81 points. They expressed satisfaction with their performance and credited their hard work during the last month for their improved showing at the championships.
Further competition results included the women’s free program, where Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto led after the short program, followed by Canadian Madeline Schizas in 15th place.
In her farewell performance, Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto delivered an elegant and charismatic performance to the music of Edith Piaf, earning 158.97 points. Her compatriot Mone Chiba took the silver, and Belgian skater Nina Pinzarrone surprised everyone by claiming the bronze.
Canadian Madeline Schizas finished in 15th place overall with a cumulative score of 178.29.
(Source: Sportcom)
