• Madison Chock/Evan Bates enter Milano Cortina 2026 as three-time world champions and favourites.
• Laurence Fournier Beaudry has formed a new partnership with Guillaume Cizeron and won Europeans this season.
• Rhythm Dance: 9 Feb (CET). Free Dance: 11 Feb (CET) at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
• Head-to-heads are limited — Grand Prix Final saw Chock/Bates narrowly beat Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron.

H2: What to know — the headline rivalry

The ice dance competition at Milano Cortina 2026 centers on a fresh, high-stakes rivalry. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, three-time reigning world champions, arrive as the team to beat. Waiting in their path are Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, a recently formed French pairing that captured the European title this season.

Laurence Fournier Beaudry (often searched as laurence fournier beaudry) and Cizeron began training together only months before the Games but have shown instant chemistry and strong results. Their only recent head-to-head with Chock/Bates ended with the Americans edging the French at the Grand Prix Final, setting up a highly anticipated Olympic rematch.

H3: Stars and medal contenders

  • Madison Chock / Evan Bates (USA): Experienced, consistent, and coming off three straight world titles.
  • Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Guillaume Cizeron (FRA): New partnership with elite pedigree — Cizeron is a reigning Olympic champion.
  • Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier (CAN): Strong contenders for the podium with recent world silver medals.
  • Lilah Fear / Lewis Gibson (GBR) and Charlène Guignard / Marco Fabbri (ITA): Dark-horse teams capable of challenging for medals.

H3: When and where

All ice dance competition will be staged at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Key sessions (all times CET, subject to change):

  • 9 February — 19:20: Rhythm Dance (short program)
  • 11 February — 19:30: Free Dance (free program)

The rhythm dance theme for 2026 is “The Music, Dance Styles and Feeling of the 1990s,” which will shape choreography and artistic choices across the field.

H4: Competition format and judging

Teams perform two segments: rhythm dance and free dance. Scores combine technical element levels and grades of execution from technical panels with component marks from a nine-judge panel. The total score from both segments decides the Olympic medals.

H4: Who qualified

A broad international field will compete, including entries from the USA, France, Canada, Italy, Great Britain, China, and more. Notable teams: Chock/Bates (USA), Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron (FRA), Gilles/Poirier (CAN), Fear/Gibson (GBR), Guignard/Fabbri (ITA).

H3: How to watch

Broadcast rights vary by country. Major carriers include NBC/Peacock (USA), Warner Bros Discovery and Eurosport across Europe, CBC in Canada, and RAI in Italy. Check local broadcasters or the Olympics website for exact streaming options and start times.

H2: Why it matters

This ice dance event is about more than medals: it marks the rapid rise of a new French partnership and a test of whether Chock and Bates can convert their world dominance into Olympic gold. With limited head-to-head history and contrasting styles, the showdown promises close scores and dramatic performances.

For fans tracking laurence fournier beaudry, expect intense coverage, technical debate, and memorable routines across the two nights of competition.

Image Referance: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/ice-dance-preview-schedule-how-to-watch-live