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Chock and Bates Claim Record Seventh U.S. Ice Dance Title at Nationals

U.S. Figure Skating names its Olympic team Sunday following a season-best finale from the three-time world champions.

Jan 10, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Madison Chock and Evan Bates perform in the ice dance free dance during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Jan 10, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Madison Chock and Evan Bates perform in the ice dance free dance during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Jan 10, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Madison Chock and Evan Bates perform in the ice dance free dance during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Jan 10, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Madison Chock and Evan Bates perform in the ice dance free dance during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Madison Chock and Evan Bates totaled 228.87 points with a 137.17-point free dance to secure their seventh national crown.
  • Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik finished second with 213.65 points, and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko took third with 206.95.
  • The championships at St. LouisEnterprise Center served as the final domestic showcase before the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
  • Ilia Malinin carried a lead of more than 15 points after the men’s short program, with his free skate set for later Saturday as he pursues a fourth straight national title.
  • U.S. Figure Skating will announce its Olympic roster on Sunday, with Zingas/Kolesnik and Carreira/Ponomarenko positioned for selection alongside Chock and Bates in dance, and three men’s spots available with competition behind Malinin tightly contested.