Seven-time U.S. national champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered a standout performance Saturday at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, posting a season-best score in the free dance portion of the figure skating team event.
Skating to an orchestral version of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” Chock and Bates thrilled a packed crowd at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. The American duo, who entered the Olympics undefeated this season, surged to the top of the standings with a score of 133.23. Their performance earned Team USA the maximum 10 points for first place in the segment.
The free dance success followed another dominant showing earlier in the team competition, when Chock and Bates posted a world-leading score of 91.06. The U.S. is the defending Olympic champion in the team event, and the pair’s consistency has been a key factor in keeping the Americans on top.
As they exited the ice, Chock and Bates were met with roaring applause. When their score was announced, teammates rushed in with high fives and cheers, celebrating another crucial moment for Team USA.
Heading into the final day of the team competition, the United States leads the standings with 44 points. Japan sits second with 39 points, followed by Italy with 37, Canada with 35, and Georgia with 32.
The American figure skating team has been driven by unfinished business since the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when its gold-medal celebration was clouded by a Russian doping controversy. The prolonged investigation delayed the official medal ceremony for more than two years, until Chock and Bates were part of the U.S. team that finally received their gold medals during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The figure skating team event concludes Sunday with the Pairs Free, Women’s Free, and Men’s Free programs. Television coverage begins at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.