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The new team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Guillaume Cizeron of France edged three-time ISU World Champions Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA) into a slim lead as the Ice Dance event at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 kicked off with an exciting Rhythm Dance on Monday. 

With the scores being close, the fight for the podium will continue in Wednesday’s Free Dance. 

The 1990s came to life in the Rhythm Dance: Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, Backstreet Boys, Sex Bomb – high energy swept through the Milano Ice Skating Arena as the dancers entertained the crowd with their upbeat performances. 

Fournier Beaudry & Cizeron dance into slim lead

ISU European Champions Fournier Beaudry & Cizeron took the lead by less than half a point over three-time and reigning ISU World Champions Chock & Bates. Canada’s Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier are currently ranked third. 

Fournier Beaudry & Cizeron got the crowd at the Milano Ice Skating Arena going with their “Vogue” dance, showing off precise footwork and a difficult rotational lift. The French Champions, who are competing in their first season as a team, posted a new personal best of 90.18 points. 

Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) brought Madonna's chic to the ice to lead by less than half a point © Getty Images

“Of course we want to win and at the same time we want to enjoy being here because that's also the memories that we'll bring back home,” Fournier Beaudry commented. 

“We just look forward to what's next in the competition and the Free Dance because we can only control what we're in control and we a very happy with what we did tonight,” she added.

“We are very pleased with our score,” Cizeron noted. “Our goal was to improve our score from what we got a few days ago. We tried to dance our maximum, to free ourselves and to enjoy the moment. 

“We had a lot of support from the audience, what was really heart-warming. It was a beautiful moment,” he continued. 

Chock & Bates make Olympic memories

On Sunday night, Chock & Bates stood on top of the podium with Team USA in the Team Event, but tonight they were back on the ice competing. Performing to Lenny Kravitz songs, they rocked the arena and produced intricate steps and fast twizzles to score 89.72 points. 

Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA) rocked the Milan arena with their Rhythm Dance to the music of Lenny Kravitz © Getty Images

“We felt really strong,” Bates commented. “We felt like it was even better than the team event and I think the emotion at the end of the program, the hug, the smiles, the bows, like that is for me the greatest memory of the Olympic Games. 

“It's the feeling of accomplishment knowing you did your best on ice and the rest isn't necessarily up to us so we're really proud of how we skated and proud of how we control what we could,” he added.

The husband-and-wife-team approach the Free Dance with determination. 

“The game is always on,” Chock said. “You should know us by now - we're not changing anything, we got this locked in, we know ourselves, we know our routine and we got it.”

Gilles & Poirier ‘in the zone’

Current ISU World silver medalists Gilles & Poirier (CAN) turned in an original performance to “Supermodel”, setting a season’s best of 86.18 points.

Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier (CAN) put a disappointing team event behind them to score a season's best © Getty Images

“It was such a nice performance,” Poirier shared. “We were really in the zone. We were really focused. 

“We kind of had our blinders on, so that really allowed us to stay present. We came into the event not satisfied with the performance a few days ago [in the Team Event], and that really allowed us to sharpen our focus going into the performance today.

“We really went into feeling motivated and hungry, just ready to enjoy ourselves in the program.”

Gilles agreed: “It was such a joy to perform today. We really took the time to connect and make sure we are on the same page and we’re sure we’re in it together.”

Podium pretenders set for Free Dance decider

Reigning ISU World bronze medalists Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson (GBR) spiced up the ice with their “Spice Girls” medley, complete with Fear’s Union Jack dress, channeling Geri Halliwell, and Gibson's Mel B-esque leopard print vest. The multiple ISU European medalists picked up 85.47 points to place fourth and to remain within striking distance of the podium. 

Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson (GBR) gave the crowd what they really, really wanted with their Spice Girls routine © Getty Images

“The performance and attack were higher than the team event but I think it was a testament to the team event because it gave us a lot of confidence,” Fear noted.

“We knew that that approach worked really well so we're like OK we can give more and it felt so much better and I'm really proud of it.”

Three-time European Champions Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri (ITA), who won the bronze medal with the Italian team on Sunday, delivered an energetic dance to the Backstreet Boys to score 84.28 points. 

Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri (ITA) put on a show for their home crowd with their Backstreet Boys medley © Getty Images

The Italian Champions know what to do on Wednesday in the Free Dance.

“Just skate with our hearts and attack,” Fabbri said. “We cannot say that we like being in this position, like chasing the others, but somehow it's a little bit easier. 

“When you have nothing to lose, it's easier to attack than defending something. So, we feel almost better today being behind and having to gain some points."

Newly minted ISU Four Continents Champions Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik (USA) continue to impress and finished sixth at 83.53 points. 

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