Morgan Ciprès
A French pairs skater whose explosive power and dramatic lifts with Vanessa James redefined the athletic potential of the discipline.
Born 1991 (age 35)·French Olympic figure skater·Birthday: April 24·Millennials
Biography
Morgan Ciprès emerged from the French skating system as a formidable talent in pairs, but it was his partnership with Vanessa James, formed in 2010, that catapulted him to the sport's highest echelons. Their pairing was a study in contrast and chemistry: his raw, grounded strength perfectly complemented her balletic grace and soaring jumps. Under the guidance of coach John Zimmerman in Florida, they transformed from a promising team into one of the world's most thrilling and consistent pairs. Their career peak came in a golden 2018-2019 season where they captured the Grand Prix Final title and, most memorably, became European Champions on home ice in Minsk, a victory sealed with a flawless and emotionally charged free skate. Ciprès's skating was defined by a fearless commitment to technical difficulty, particularly in their signature quad twist, pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible in pairs. He retired from competition in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of elevating the sport's technical and artistic standards.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Morgan was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Morgan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Morgan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2019 European Figure Skating Championships gold medal with partner Vanessa James in Minsk.
- Secured the bronze medal at the 2018 World Figure Skating Championships in Milan.
- Captured the title at the 2018 Grand Prix Final in Vancouver.
- Earned six French national championship titles as a pairs team with Vanessa James.
- Represented France at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Did You Know?
He initially trained as a single skater before switching to pairs at age 17.
Ciprès and Vanessa James were the first French pair to win a medal at the World Championships in over a decade when they took bronze in 2018.
He is known for having a large tattoo of a koi fish on his left arm.
Their 2018-19 short program was set to 'Uninvited' by Alanis Morissette, a dramatic and unusual music choice for the sport.
“We worked for years to make something difficult look easy and beautiful.”
