French pair lead the way
This was just the sixth time Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron have competed as a partnership, having first teamed up last January.
But they have already won four competitions, including two Grand Prix events, and are now favourites to claim their first ISU Championship title together after their stunning rhythm dance in Sheffield.
The duo were on the ice early, given their current low world ranking, and immediately soared to the top of the standings, earning level four on both their sequential twizzles and rotational lift. Their only blemish was an attention call on their choreographic rhythm sequence.