Madison Chock and Evan Bates Pursue Olympic Gold in Free Dance
Madison Chock and Evan Bates are on a determined quest for Olympic gold in ice dance. Competing in the upcoming Winter Olympics, the pair aims to secure their first medal in this discipline. The anticipation builds as they prepare for the free dance segment on February 11, where the ultimate champion will be decided.
Current Standings and Competitive Landscape
As they head into the free dance, Chock and Bates currently hold second place, trailing leaders Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizero from France by a narrow margin of 0.46 points. This sets the stage for a thrilling competition. The American duo will perform just before Beaudry and Cizero, who will take the ice last.
Performance Highlight: ‘Paint It Black’
Chock and Bates will showcase their powerful “Paint It Black” routine, incorporating elements of flamenco and paso doble. Chock embodies a matadora while Bates portrays a bull, making this performance one of the strongest in the event. The execution of this routine will be crucial for their shot at gold.
Scoring and Previous Success
- Season-best score of 133.23 in free dance for Chock and Bates in the team event.
- Approximately 4:35 p.m. ET performance time, broadcasted on NBC and available for streaming on Peacock.
Planned Program Elements
Here are some of the key elements in Chock and Bates’ program:
- Choreographic assisted jump and lifting movement
- Curve lift + curve lift
- Choreographic character step sequence
- One foot turns sequence
- Rotational lift
- Dance spin
- Diagonal step sequence
- Choreographic sliding movement
A Journey Together
Chock and Bates have already achieved gold in the 2026 Winter Olympics team event, and they repeat that success from the 2022 Games. However, the ice dance medal remains the lone accolade that eludes them. The couple, who began skating together in 2011, transitioned from partners to spouses, marrying in 2024.
Balancing Life and Career
As they pursue their Olympic dreams, Chock and Bates share insights on balancing their marriage with a competitive skating career. Their commitment both on and off the ice makes them a unique duo in the world of figure skating.
Stay updated on their journey and the latest in Olympic figure skating at Filmogaz.com.
