Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron take second consecutive Grand Prix gold at Finlandia Trophy
2025 Finlandia Trophy: Ice Dance
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France took their second consecutive Grand Prix gold on Saturday in Helsinki, Finland. Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier earned the silver, while USA’s Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik captured the bronze.
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron
The 2025 Grand Prix de France champions showed good blade and body control in their fun rhythm dance to Madonna’s “Vogue.” The technical panel was harsh with all teams in the rhythm dance on the footwork. Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron were graded a level one on both the pattern and midline steps, but the twizzles earned a level four, as did the curve lift. While they lost a few points on the choreographic rhythm sequence, (which received an “!”), they placed first in this segment by a narrow margin with a score of 79.89 points.
“We had a really good performance on the ice today, with our overall performance,” said Cizeron. “Just not so happy about the way the technical panel judged our performance, but it is what it is for today. I don’t want to put out a number what I expected, but you’d have to do the math; but definitely higher than that.”
“Since France, we had the opportunity to work really on the musicality of each element and go more into details of the program,” said Fournier Beaudry. “(This is) because we switched the music so drastically from one competition to the other. It didn’t give us a lot of time to work on the program, so now we were able to modify some stuff. To really go into details a little bit more to feel like we’re performing more from the beginning to the end and emphasizing on the point of the music.”
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron showcased intricate woven transitions in their evocative free dance to selections from The Whale. All elements received high grades of execution (GOES), but they were docked a point for an extended lift. The twizzles were graded a level two and four, while the one-foot steps were a level one and two. The second lift in a curve-curve combination was graded a level three, and the level-one serpentine steps were especially appreciated as they earned 3.44 GOEs for it. They finished first in this segment and overall (124.29/204.18).
“This is our first competition outside of France,” said Cizeron. “We feel very lucky to be sharing those moments together. We are very pleased with our performances this weekend. We have been working a lot on both programs, and we had so much fun today sharing that with the public.”
When asked about when their partnership clicked, Fournier Beaudry said: “I think from the very moment we started together, we had right away so much respect for each other, and we love what we do together. So it was just an enjoyment from the very beginning.”
Their goal now is to win the Grand Prix Final before going to French Nationals.
“Then get some rest with the family at Christmas, and then we will go to Europeans, and hopefully win Europeans,” said Fournier Beaudry, who received her French citizenship a week and a half ago.
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier
Gilles and Poirier delivered a high-energy rhythm dance to “Supermodel” and “I’m too Sexy” which featured a very good level-four rotational lift and high grades of execution (GOE) throughout. However, Gilles only received the base vale on the twizzles, and both the pattern and midline steps were graded a level one. The 2025 Skate Canada champions placed a close second with 79.56 points.
Gilles relayed that they had put in a lot of work since Skate Canada and felt like they were in good shape.
“It is really unfortunate the top athletes in the world are getting level ones on their pattern step,” she pointed out. “We are all working really hard, but we are made to feel a bit like Junior skaters.”
She observed that there is room for the technical panel to grow technically and hopes that the Free Skate will be “better” for all the competitors.
“We love this sport,” said Gilles. “I think where our system is right now is at a crossroad, and I think the viewership is also understanding that we’re kind of in that situation. Like, they don’t know what’s happening when they see an exclamation point. What the heck does that even mean, you know? So there’s just moments in our sport that we’ve lost that connection to who’s watching and also the connection between who’s controlling our fate. And I think that’s where this needs to change. The judges should judge what they see, the beauty and the artistry of this sport. So, I hope that there’s a way that we can move forward and open it up and truly be creative, because I think that’s what the fans are wanting. They’re wanting to come back and support this sport, but I think if our system is still this way, I don’t think we’re going to keep bringing in the people, because we’re discouraged and the audience is discouraged.”
The four-time World medalists gave a soul-stirring free dance to “Vincent,” earning a new season’s best of 122.55 for second place. The twizzles were graded a level two and three, while the diagonal steps were given a one and two. The team lost a level on the stationary lift (in combination with a rotational lift) that was graded a level three, but the dance spin received a level four as did the curve lift. With a total score of 202.11, they placed second overall.
Poirier felt they had put a lot of pressure on themselves after their performance at Skate Canada.
“So, we needed to prove to ourselves that we are capable of this program, and I think we accomplished that today,” he said. “The crowd has been so welcoming of us both. They really got behind our performance, so it’s been a real joy to be able to compete here this week. We’ve had low levels this week, so we’ll have some things we need to work on. We do have a little bit of time now before the Final to clean some things up before we go out there, but I think we’re really excited to qualify for the Final again and to take the next step closer to the Games.”
The skating community got behind Gilles’ comments regarding “room for growth” for the technical panel.
“It was really nice, especially from the fans, because we are (not only) speaking on behalf of the athletes, but also on behalf of the fans—the ones that are supporting us every single year,” said Gilles. “It was nice to see them share that frustration, and I know it motivates the athletes to use their voice. I think a lot of times we are afraid of the repercussions of doing so, and I think we are at the point of our career that when we don’t say anything, nothing will change. So I’m really proud of what we did. We as athletes are accountable for everything we do out there on the ice, but I don’t necessarily think that judges and the technical panel are also accountable for what they do to the athletes. I think there needs to be an equal amount of respect between the two of us. Hopefully we can get to that point, and I’m really happy that everybody supported us in sharing our feelings.”
Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik
Zingas and Kolesnik showed good ice coverage and skating skills throughout their rhythm dance to “Poison,” and were clearly favored by the judges in footwork. Both the midline and pattern steps were graded a level two, and the twizzles and rotational lift received a level four. The 2025 Cup of China silver medalists placed third with 78.51 points.
“The last two years in Finland we had a bad rhythm dance,” Zingas commented. “So before we started, I was like, ‘this is my redemption time. Third is the charm.’ And, you know, they send us to Finland again and again and again. And I want Finland to be my place where I do good now, not the other way around. So, I was a bit shaky this morning in practice, like really determined, really on the top before this event. I felt a little nervous, but honestly, I’m happy that we got through the program. We did everything cleanly—not to the best of our ability, but almost there. It was pretty cool.”
“I kind of turned off my mind and I was going with the muscle memory,” added Kolesnik. “And then during the twizzles, I started thinking and thinking is bad. That’s why it didn’t go as perfect as I hoped it would go. But overall, it was a pretty good performance.”
The five-time Challenger Series medalists delivered a classical and dramatic free dance to Romeo and Juliet which featured level-four lifts, twizzles and dance spin. The one-foot steps were graded a level two and one, while the diagonal steps received a level two. They placed third in this segment with 117.51 points and maintained third place overall with a total score of 196.02.
“I’m in shock! I think we’re still shaking a little,” said Zingas. “Just because before the skate, I wanted it so badly. I wasn’t thinking too much about the Final until we got here, and everybody started asking us questions about it and stuff. And I love Japan; I so much wanted to go to Japan. Before we skated, I really told myself, ‘I need to do this. We need to do this. I want this so badly.’ And that made me tighten up before we started. But then, right before we skated, Vadim touched my face and was like ‘you got this.’ And then I was so relaxed, and I don’t even remember parts of the program, we were just relying on muscle memory.”
Kolesnik was elated.
“I can’t even describe it!” he said. “Today I felt we might be a little off. We might not be 100 percent, but all we needed to do was feel each other on the ice. When we started, it all fell into place. I’m just… it all fell into place.”
Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck
Spain’s Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck place fourth in the Rhythm Dance with a season’s best of 76.07. Their twizzles had a difficult entrance but were only graded a level three. The pattern steps received a level two, while the midline steps were graded a level one. However, they earned many positive GOEs for their level-four curve lift in their fun routine to “Freedom” and “Let Me Entertain You.”
“It felt pretty good,” said Smart of their performance. “We knew that we wanted to go out there today, and it kind of feels like we haven’t fully competed this rhythm dance yet with the potential where we think it can be. Even though this is our third competition, it still feels like it’s our first. We made a lot of adjustments and changes to the rhythm dance, so that’s why maybe it still feels very new. But we had not many expectations coming to this event, because in our last event, we had a slight slip in the rhythm dance which cost us apparently up to 8–10 points. So, we couldn’t even imagine what our score would have been like there. So, this competition, we just wanted to go out there, perform how we’ve been training, and as our coaches have told us—start from zero and throughout the program you add in those points, rather than having a score in mind already.”
“We did one big adjustment with the lift,” Dieck pointed out. “We added in a curve lift. We already did a spread eagle together before and added in the lift. We did this lift last year as well, so it’s not something completely new, and it feels much better.”
The 2024 Skate America bronze medalists placed fourth (115.99) with their popular and captivating free dance to the Dune: Part Two soundtrack. Their routine was highlighted by an innovated level-four rotational lift that earned +4 and +5 GOES across the board. The second lift in a curve-curve lift was graded a level three, as was the dance spin. They were scored a level four and three on the twizzles, and the serpentine steps were a level one. With a total score of 192.06, they maintained fourth place overall.
“Today felt good,” said Smart. “We went out there and did what we could today where we are in this part of the season. They were tough on technique here this week from the Rhythm Dance and the Free Dance. We knew we could be up there in the top three on the podium. Everyone’s trying their best and everyone’s skating to their max for this part of the season. But we want to continue to grow our programs and as a team for the second half of the season, and look forward to that. We’re going to Tallinn Trophy next week and then we do Nationals.”
Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani
USA’s Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani showed improvement since their last outing at in Japan, earning all-new personal bests and placing fifth overall (185.68).
The team divulged that they made a lot of changes on their free dance after obtaining feedback.
“It’s our fourth performance since coming back,” Maia pointed out. “So we obviously have high expectations, and we wanted to deliver in the moment, and I think we did a really good job of that. Through this Grand Prix series, I think we’ve really been able to show ourselves that we’re able to connect strongly with an audience and that’s really what was drawing us back. We hope to create very special moments through our art, which is the way that we tell our stories through our programs.”
“We skate for each other, and that’s the most important thing,” Alex added.
The two-time Olympians clearly have Milano in their sights.
“If you ask every skater in this competition, that’s what their hope is,” said Maia.
“We value performing here in Helsinki just as much as we value competing at an Olympic Games,” said Alex. “Because our perspective over the past seven years has given us a deep sense of appreciation for the opportunity to perform. We missed doing that together. We missed the environment. And it gives us a thrill. It’s something that honestly is such a gift, and so we don’t take it for granted.”
Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin of Georgia placed sixth overall (184.13) followed by Finland’s Yuka Orihara and Juho Pirinen (176.77).
With the conclusion of 2025 Finlandia Trophy, the 2025-26 Grand Prix Final qualifiers for the Ice Dance discipline are listed below:
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