Marie-France Dubreuil, renowned coach of the Ice Academy of Montreal, is focused on the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan. The academy fields 13 of the 23 ice dance teams competing at the Games. Dubreuil is aware that only one team can claim the coveted gold medal.
Path to Olympic Glory
Founded in 2010 by Dubreuil, her husband Patrice Lauzon, and Roman Haguenauer, the Ice Academy of Montreal has emerged as a formidable institution in figure skating. The academy aims to be the first to achieve a full podium sweep in Olympic ice dance history.
Notable Teams and Competitors
- Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) – reigning world champions
- Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (France)
- Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (Canada) – non-I.AM students
- Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (Great Britain) – I.AM team
Chock and Bates, along with Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, have emerged as strong contenders for the Olympic podium. Canadian skaters Gilles and Poirier also join the race, appearing in Netflix’s series “Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing.”
A Promising Future for I.AM
The Ice Academy of Montreal rebranded in 2014 and has continued to attract talent from around the globe. The academy celebrates a culture that emphasizes personal well-being and high performance. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who trained with I.AM, lauded its supportive environment, highlighting the positive atmosphere cultivated by the coaching staff.
Despite comments regarding preferential treatment from judges, Dubreuil insists the academy focuses on learning from feedback and improving team performance. She aims for her teams to not only compete but to excel in the intricacies of ice dance.
Coaching and Team Dynamics
With its comprehensive coaching philosophy, the academy emphasizes collaboration and personal care for each skater. Lauzon noted that unlike sports requiring direct competition, ice dancing allows skaters to focus on surpassing their personal bests.
The academy’s unique approach has resulted in impressive scoring that some view as evidence of its competitive edge. However, Dubreuil recognizes the challenges and varying perspectives within the sport, particularly concerning the dynamics between skaters and coaches.
Conclusion
As the rhythm dance portion of the competition approaches, Dubreuil’s aspirations for a podium sweep reflects the potential for groundbreaking achievements at the Milan Games. Her confidence in the capabilities of her teams illustrates the academy’s commitment to excellence.
