Laurence Fournier-Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron to skate together for France

[Jumping_Bean]

Oh sure, Laurence isn't responsible for what Nikolaj did, but certainly for how she responded to it and how she continues to be deeply involved with him. Direct (if translated) quote from one of the articles:
"When Guillaume came to her with the idea of teaming up, she was cautious about it. Yes, Guillaume and I (Romain Haguenauer) told her that we thought it was a good idea, but to be honest, it was Nikolaj who finally convinced her. If it weren't for his persuasion, she would never have returned to the ice."
And yes, that goes for the whole leadership of IAM and also the skaters who happily continued inviting him to private events & even publicly posting him like Chock/Bates (who invited him to their wedding), Olivia Smart and Jean-Luc Baker, and also certainly Guillaume Cizeron.

 

[labgoat]

Jean-Luc had been injured

Both he and Kaitlin had multiple concussions sadly.

 

[throw_triple_flip]

well, that's what I am saying, that's what some others are saying too At least, that's what I am reading

there was huge uproar when Eric came back with Vanessa... because he had been choreo for Walsh and Michaud...

I would understand if people reacted because Guilllaume has been working closely at IAM with some teams, especially direct competitors now Lopareva-Brissaud. I can understand why people react... I give you an example. What if, as a musician, I decided to return to competing and competed against the new talent I am personally bringing up I am sure a bunch of people would react ...

So though I think sport is sport.. Though I am looking forward what these do will come up with, and though I am not saying it's unfair, I am a bit more nuanced and able to understand why some/many people would have these thoughts.

What have Lopareva and Briassaud exactly got to complain about in this situation? He did his job and they've had a great deal of success. It's not reasonable or understandable to think he's obligated to not compete again. And what about other skaters who have done the same, or skaters who choreograph while competing? Why single out just one?

As for people holding a grudge against Eric Radford. That's not normal behaviour, it's parasocial.

 

[throw_triple_flip]

How tasteless for them to announce this the day of Legacy of Ice. Couldn't they wait one additional day?

I shudder imagining the ostentatiously pretentious programs and music Cizeron will grace us with next season.

This comment is tasteless.

 

[Ruthypegs]

Both he and Kaitlin had multiple concussions sadly.

I didn't know this - that's alarming and very sad to hear, but I'm glad they're prioritising their health and wellbeing

 

[4everchan]

What have Lopareva and Briassaud exactly got to complain about in this situation? He did his job and they've had a great deal of success. It's not reasonable or understandable to think he's obligated to not compete again. And what about other skaters who have done the same, or skaters who choreograph while competing? Why single out just one?

As for people holding a grudge against Eric Radford. That's not normal behaviour, it's parasocial.

Again, I am just saying that not everyone has to react the same was as you are reacting. I can see both sides. I don't think holding grudges or overreacting about all of this is fair either but I also don't think that everyone should react one precise way. One cannot dictate what reactions are acceptable or not... Everyone is different and allowed to go through things with their own set of tools. That's all.

 

[DancingCactus]

The more I process this, the more the big elephant for me in the room is Sorensen. The Canadian fed seems to have enough evidence that he is guilty to effectively permanently ban him. I don't want to judge her for how she deals with her private life but the way the whole IAM crowd seems to just kind to gloss over this whole issue is weird. Why quote Sorensen on how he was the one who pursuaded her in the end like he was some kind of moral authority?

I don't think I will be able to watch this pair without having to think about all the unpleasant things that have been going on in the background.

 

[Lamente Ariane]

The more I process this, the more the big elephant for me in the room is Sorensen. The Canadian fed seems to have enough evidence that he is guilty to effectively permanently ban him. I don't want to judge her for how she deals with her private life but the way the whole IAM crowd seems to just kind to gloss over this whole issue is weird. Why quote Sorensen on how he was the one who pursuaded her in the end like he was some kind of moral authority?

I don't think I will be able to watch this pair without having to think about all the unpleasant things that have been going on in the background.

I agree. I don’t like calling out people for not cutting people out of their private lives (and don’t intent to do so here) but I think it’s entirely fair to criticize IAM for publicizing Sorensen’s approval under the circumstances. And when we know this is how coaches like Romain are treating the accusations/ban, is it really any wonder other IAM skaters are still in touch with him? Remember Delilah Sappenfield and the Chiefs hats at Nationals to “support” Coughlin.

 

[Skater Boy]

Right at the moment when I was about to stop watching figure skating, he comes back...

I will root for Guillaume whatever he does as long as he brings art on ice. And wins gold medals.

I don't believe they will be podium contenders in 2026. With Italians at home, GP gettings their first olympic medal, and the gold going back to the USA after 10+ years, there is no way.

But the next Games are in France - then we will talk.

P.S.: I saw Guillaume had completely renewed his IG and they are now giving one interview after another. The PR machine is working at full speed, so i am sure they are taking it seriously and will be fighting from the very start.

I am not sure how easy or quick it is for Laurence to get her French citizenship. I guess she doesn't have to worry about being released from Canada? I am curious how fast can or will they progress. Winning the olympics is another thing. . As to what is fair well my mom said life isn't fair. They are playing within the rules. Of course others will be effected especially if they beat someone out to go to the olympics. And then the p odiums quite ossibly will be affected at French Nationals, Euros, worlds and the oolymics. I just have no idea where they will be slotted if they return to olympic level skating. Also assuming they stick with IAMS the skating order there too will effected. Also, has Canada released Laurence? They might not want to to try to get her to skate for Canada? Or to protect GP.

 

[saine]

Also, has Canada released Laurence? They might not want to to try to get her to skate for Canada? Or to protect GP.

She's been released. I don't think FFSG would've had a press release if she hadn't, with FFSG President Gwenaëlle Noury saying "...the formation of this duo bears witness to our desire to support ambitious projects and prepare the future of French skating."

 

[4everchan]

New French CBC article

Un nouveau départ pour Laurence Fournier Beaudry

Laurence Fournier Beaudry ne savait pas ce que l'avenir lui réservait.

ici.radio-canada.ca

Brief points of translation

Laurence was asked how hard it has been. She said, "it's a good question: after a long pause in the conversation, she said " I don't want to elaborate on the subject".

Earlier in the article she says that ice dance is all her life and she was lost when the suspension came as their season was canceled. They were indeed planning to compete.

Guillaume and Lolo have been best friends for years. They met in a training camp in Obertsdorf when they were 15 and 13.

Guillaume was retired. Laurence on pause and not sure where to go next. He brought up the idea to her. She was flattered to be considered by her best friend and best ice dancer in the world. They started training in Montréal in January.

They do mention that Nikolaj hasn't spoken publicly about the suspension. Lolo does say that he was in agreement with the partnership.

She is a part time student in cognitive neuroscience. She's doing all the heavy paperwork for the citizenship hoping that it will be quick as her grandfather has lived in France for 10 years already and because of the natural connection between Québec and France

The goal is for Milan but they do not say no to 2030 if health and passion are still there.

So that's it... nothing new but I thought I'd share her interview given to the Canadian media since so far we have seen mostly French media and Guillaume speaking about this.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

The more I process this, the more the big elephant for me in the room is Sorensen. The Canadian fed seems to have enough evidence that he is guilty to effectively permanently ban him. I don't want to judge her for how she deals with her private life but the way the whole IAM crowd seems to just kind to gloss over this whole issue is weird. Why quote Sorensen on how he was the one who pursuaded her in the end like he was some kind of moral authority?

I don't think I will be able to watch this pair without having to think about all the unpleasant things that have been going on in the background.

I think this is indeed personally complex, and not something for strangers in the public sphere to adjudicate, critique, admonish, or police. I do not know all the specific details of the case, but I do know that Sorensen was finally brought to account, officially judged, banned, punished, and publicly excoriated. Being brought to account should have happened at the time of his transgressions. The fact that nothing happened when the abuse occurred is the fault of societal and cultural attitudes at the time, and due to the culture of skating, and to the avoidance and head-in-the-sand reactions by USfigsk/ ISU at the time, and to this day.

I do not know any of the people involved personally. I only know these skaters from following their performances over the years. I have not heard that Sorensen has been accused of additional abuse since that one occurrence 15 years ago, for which he has finally been held to account. I know he denied the accusations, but I don't know if he experienced any remorse since the conviction and punishment. I am not privy to Laurence & Sorensen's personal relationship, nor to his close relationships with other former IAM colleagues. I would imagine that current close friends of Sorensen's judge him by what they know of him since they first met. Surely, if Sorensen had still been engaging in abusive behavior in recent years, neither Laurence nor anyone at IAM would have accepted, supported, or embraced him at all.

Finding out that Sorensen did something harmful to another skater many years ago clearly led to some people at IAM not wanting to associate with him. Those who had developed a close friendship with Sorensen, and thus did not cut him off immediately and completely, I personally refrain from harshly judging. Sadly, misogyny and abusive behavior continues to exist in all spheres, in families, in corporations, in the figure skating community, and in the larger culture. Much work is needed to confront the systemic complexities; heartaches; difficult emotions; counseling and care for victims; finding justice; guarding against false claims; and seeking avenues toward rehabilitation and redemptive resolution.

Beyond the punishment already meted out, what more do those continuing to judge Sorensen feel is necessary? Complete ostracization by his family, friends, and former colleagues? Those who were already his friends and had a close relationship with him have the right to make their own choices. We are not privy to their personal interactions.

 

[TallyT]

This gives me a bad taste in my mouth, I will never support people who turned a blind eye to a man like Nik. I will always support Gabi and hope she is doing well, that is all I will ever say on this partnership.

 

[Magill]

Actually indifference of the witnesses, or the "public", to abuse as they get informed of it, or, even worse, taking part of the abuser, is in fact causing secondary trauma to the victim and enhancing their feelings of self-doubt and low self-worth, or "unimportance" of what happened to them, or even justifying it in some twisted way. OTOH, it also does empower the abuser, mostly helping them feel as "nothing happened". Like it or not, that's the way it works. Once you know of abuse, you can do whatever you choose, of course, but whatever you do, it matters and has consequences for both sides of the abuse in question. And you are responsible for this, just like for any other thing you do. There is no escape from it, whether anyone questions you about it or not. And if people question you, well, they are as free to respond as you were initially.
What makes you feel so certain, BTW, that people would not support a guy they know to be abusive? There is plenty of evidence this is simply not true. Some people even treat abusing others as a way to strengthen their position in a group. It does not speak great about the human race but plenty of school bullies are in fact quite popular, not only in the movies, and not only in schools.

 

[4everchan]

I think we have had these discussions at large when the news about Soerensen and his suspension came out. This thread is about the new partnership. Is it possible to stay on topic?

 

[rabidline]

It's hard to focus on the new partnership when the new partnership made a big deal that them coming together is some sort of destiny as friends who cross paths years ago, when we all know that's not all the circumstances that led them there.

 

[TallyT]

It's hard to focus on the new partnership when the new partnership made a big deal that them coming together is some sort of destiny as friends who cross paths years ago, when we all know that's not all the circumstances that led them there.

Though you can't blame them for spinning it that way!

 

[4everchan]

It's hard to focus on the new partnership when the new partnership made a big deal that them coming together is some sort of destiny as friends who cross paths years ago, when we all know that's not all the circumstances that led them there.

Guillaume's instagram announcement is one thing.

The media, has reported and some of which I have even translated do cover the circumstances.. It's not all unicorns and rainbows... for instance when Laurence mentioned how lost she was when the suspension came, having trained programs for this season, being ready to compete and having all of it taken away.

There are serious interviews out there which are allowing for a serious discussion. At the same time, I guess not everyone is interested in how they will be doing. I certainly am because both of them were parts of duos that I liked and they were my favourite parts of these duos.

So, i am excited to see how they will be doing. I am curious in how their lines will match. How their lifts will be.

Lines that was a P/C highlight. Lifts that was a FB/S strength.

Will they go for a more classical style à la P/C or with more evocative, innovative and perhaps sometimes weird programs like Laurence did before.

What do you think would suit their skills ?

 

[rabidline]

Guillaume's instagram announcement is one thing.

It sets the tone of everything that came after. I don't blame people for returning to square one of this partnership, because that's when people decide if they are interested in discussing them.

I do and still continue to have sympathy for Laurence because she had her career disintegrate over something she didn't do and over something that Sorensen did before they even met. And then I read she was basically the last one to know that Guillaume and Romain and IAM and FFSG has been scheming this partnership behind her. And Sorensen is still a big enough part of her life that she is still taking his encouragement. The information just brings me pity and sadness instead of excitement of what they can do. She is there because Gabriella said no.

I will ask this question: if circumstances are different and Gabriella had said yes to Guillaume for a comeback, where would Laurence be? Her career would still be destroyed.

The dissonance between the ultra-glossy, vain announcement and the ugly circumstances that brought them together makes it difficult to me to have any interest on how they would skate apart from expecting them to skate well with their qualities.

 

[4everchan]

It sets the tone of everything that came after. I don't blame people for returning to square one of this partnership, because that's when people decide if they are interested in discussing them.

I do and still continue to have sympathy for Laurence because she had her career disintegrate over something she didn't do and over something that Sorensen did before they even met. And then I read she was basically the last one to know that Guillaume and Romain and IAM and FFSG has been scheming this partnership behind her. And Sorensen is still a big enough part of her life that she is still taking his encouragement. The information just brings me pity and sadness instead of excitement of what they can do. She is there because Gabriella said no.

I will ask this question: if circumstances are different and Gabriella had said yes to Guillaume for a comeback, where would Laurence be? Her career would still be destroyed.

The dissonance between the ultra-glossy, vain announcement and the ugly circumstances that brought them together makes it difficult to me to have any interest on how they would skate apart from expecting them to skate well with their qualities.

If we start going around with "what ifs" we can go around in circle for a long time... I am not interested in speculating about what would have happened to Laurence if ... whatever.

What's happening now is this partnership. If you are not interested in it for whatever reason and any reason is good, then it's easy... no need to discuss it.

Some people are interested, I am one of them.