Picture it: Music evoking the ocean’s depths and two skaters clad in blue-green costumes reminiscent of the sea, moving in perfect harmony. A couple who, in turn, connect, break apart and then come together as one. On Wednesday, February 11, 9,700 spectators at the Milano Ice Skating Arena and millions more watching on television were captivated by four minutes and 30 seconds of pure spectacle: a fusion of skating and theater. This performance earned French ice dancers Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron Olympic gold. They were already leading the competition after the first segment, the rhythm dance, held two days earlier.
In the stands of the Milanese arena, American fans turned out in force to cheer on Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who were among the favorites for gold but ultimately went home with silver. Yet even they could not take their eyes off the French-Canadian pair, as if hypnotized by their performance.
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