2025 Grand Prix de France Ice Dance Podium (from L to R): Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR), Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA), and Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius (LTU).
Grand Prix de France: Ice Dance
France’s newly-formed team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron rose from third to claim the gold in Ice Dance on their turf on Sunday afternoon. Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson took the silver, while Lithuanians Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius secured the bronze.
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron
In their international debut as a team, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron delivered an upbeat and sophisticated rhythm dance to Madonna’s “Vogue.” They produced excellent level-four twizzles while the midline steps were graded a two and three, the patterns steps a three, and the curve lift a level four. A mistake came at the end when Cizeron had a slip during the choreographic steps which was graded as a fall. It was a costly mistake, but all other elements received high grades of execution (GOE) and they finished third in this segment with 78.00 points.
“We had a good moment on the ice,” said Cizeron. “I think it was not far from perfect except that I put down my knee in the choreo step, the last element. In ice dance nowadays, this costs lot of points. So, we are happy with the performance, but a bit disappointed about the error. I can’t really explain what and why it happened. Frankly speaking, I fucked up.”
“I had fun today,” added Fournier Beaudry. “I’d say we felt some pressure before we skated, but once the music started, we were very present on the ice. Once we are on the ice, we feel a lot of pleasure and gratitude to share what we love doing. I am grateful we could share this moment together.”
The team showed very good footwork and seamless transitions throughout their mesmerizing free dance to selections from The Whale soundtrack. All elements received no less than +3 GOES and the twizzles and lifts were graded a level four. They placed first in the free dance with 133.02 points and rose from third to first overall (211.02) to claim the gold.
“Today we came to the ice without any number in mind,” said Fournier Beaudry. “We came here to enjoy the moment, to celebrate that we are skating here together, and to remember why we are here. That was really the motivation why we came to skate today, and obviously, this was a very good performance. We didn’t notice the score until Romain jumped. We were actually lost to this score, and the result is a surprise for us, but we are very happy.”
“This competition made us realize how much we love competing,” added Cizeron.
They will compete at the Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy next month.
Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson
Fear and Gibson put out an entertaining and lively rhythm dance to a Spice Girls medley, which was highlighted by a level-four rotational lift at the end. The twizzles were also graded a level four while the midline steps were a two and three and pattern steps a two. The 2025 World bronze medalists posted a new season’s best of 84.38 points for first place going into the free dance.
“We really worked hard on our technical this season and we’re always preforming, performing and it’s great to show our hard work being reflected in the score today,” said Fear. “We went as patriot as we could with our programs this year and I am now already shaking thinking about skating this year in front of a home crowd.”
On celebrating their 10-year partnership, Fear said: “It’s been a decade of amazing memories. We’ve had highs and lows, and it was fun looking through our videos from all this time together. We’re living the dream, and it’s something we don’t take for granted.”
The two-time European silver medalists put out a clever Scottish-inspired free dance to “The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond” and “I’m Gonna be (500 miles).” The level-four twizzles were excellent, earning +4 GOEs across the board. All lifts and the spin were also graded a level four, and they placed second in the free dance and overall with two new season best scores. overall (125.86 / 210.24).
“With the second-place finish at our first Grand Prix, I think we have a very good foundation for the rest of the season to come,” Fear acknowledged. “We have about a week and a half of preparation before NHK, and we’re so excited to go to Japan—we love competing there!”
“We had the idea for the Scottish-themed program quite a few years ago, but it never quite made it onto the ice,” Gibson revealed. “This year, with Europeans being in Sheffield and the Olympics coming up, it really seemed like the right time for it.”
Fear explained that they felt their previous blue costume was “too dark.”
“This one feels a bit lighter and fits the program better,” she said. “Yeah, I think it matches more with the rawness of the program,” added Gibson.
Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius
The 2024 European bronze medalists exuded swag in their fun rhythm dance to “I’m Too Sexy” and “Cantaloop,” picking up a new season’s best of 80.98 for second place. The footwork was strong, and the twizzles and rotational lift received a level four with high GOEs.
“We really put in the work—we were grinding all summer, and it’s great to see that hard work paid off,” said Reed. “We feel we are as prepared as never before at this part of the season. The qualifier was a big obstacle to get out of the way, and now we can actually enjoy the rest of the season.”
“Getting that Olympic spot and the qualification done felt like a huge relief,” added Ambrulevicius.
“To hit these 80 points here, and also to hear the great reaction from the crowd—hearing that they enjoyed what they saw—that’s a big bonus for us,” Reed summed up.
The three-time Grand Prix bronze medalists placed third in the free dance (120.07) with their primal trance routine to “God is a DJ” and ” We Come 1″ by Faithless. The twizzles, lifts and dance spin were all graded a level four, and they earned positive GOEs throughout their Interpretive routine. With a total score of 201.05, they placed third overall for their fourth Grand Prix bronze medal.
“We were very happy with what we put out there today,” said Reed.
“Medaling at the Grand Prix event is always a pleasure and gives us big pride and honor,” Ambrulevicius said. “We are happy about what we achieved today on the ice, and as a team.”
Ambrulevicius pointed out that they had to “overcome some personal challenges” but said that the medal was a “confidence booster.”
“Well, the practice today was very early, at seven o’clock, and you know, in ice dance, you always have to bring the full package: hair, makeup, everything,” Reed explained. “So, getting out of bed at five in the morning wasn’t really the most fun. Winning the medal feels phenomenal!
The team had to choose their music earlier than usual this season.
“In the end, it came down to two pieces, and this one felt the most fun and confident for us,” said Ambrulevicius. “I had the Faithless song stored for a long time, but we were missing a piece that could go with it for the beginning.”
They will compete again in two weeks at Skate Canada.
Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri
Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy put out a confident and crowd-pleasing rhythm dance to music from The Backstreet Boys. The footwork was smooth with difficult transitions throughout and the twizzles and straightline lift received a level four. Only the pattern steps received a level one, and the two-time World medalists placed fifth with 77.25 points.
It was noted in the protocols that there may have been music violation issues, however, the team is still receiving feedback for their disappointing scores.
The three time and current European champions put out an expressive and nostalgic free dance to music from Diamanti which featured level-four twizzles and lifts. They displayed good technique in their one-foot and circular steps which were graded a level two and three, respectively. The posted 118.73 for the free dance, moving up to fourth place overall (195.98).
They are scheduled to compete again in three weeks at NHK Trophy.
Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin
Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin of Georgia put out an energetic and gritty rhythm dance to music by The Offspring which was highlighted by level-four twizzles and rotational lift. They placed fourth with 77.80 points going into the free dance.
“Well, I think our time in Montreal is really paying off now,” said Smolkin. “Our coaches have gotten to know us a little bit better. We are very excited about our development and about our team. Our national team is still young and there’s not only this Olympics, but much more to come.”
On placing just slightly behind Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, Smolkin said: “We did watch their performance, and we saw that Guillaume had an unfortunate mistake, so we don’t put too much value on that.”
Davis and Smolkin placed fifth in the free dance and overall (116.47 / 194.27) after their expressive performance to Myaskovsky’s “Sonata for Cello & Piano No.1 in D Major” and “A Taste of Elegance.” The free dance was highlighted by their level-four stationary-rotational lift and level-two serpentine steps.
“Today was a bit tougher,” Davis said.
Smolkin agreed, adding. “It was physically and mentally challenging because I got a bit sick the last days and wasn’t physically feeling my best. Also, we had three competitions in a row. We want to work on our levels. We do have a little time off now and then will prepare for Finland.”
Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac of Canada placed sixth overall (186.49) followed by USA’s Eva Pate and Logan Bye (178.68).
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