Key Takeaways
- Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their seventh national title at the 2026 U.S. figure skating championships, breaking a tie with Meryl Davis and Charlie White for most all-time.
- The pair dominated the competition, earning a season-best score of 91.70 in the short program and a total score of 228.87, 15.22 points ahead of the second-place team.
- Chock and Bates have been competing at the U.S. championships for 15 years, finishing on the podium 14 times, and have won six championships in the last seven years.
- The duo is determined to win an Olympic medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, having come close in previous Olympics.
Introduction to the U.S. Championships
The U.S. figure skating championships have become a familiar playground for Madison Chock and Evan Bates, with the top step of the ice dance podium seemingly reserved for the duo. For over a decade, they have dominated the competition, and their latest victory at the 2026 U.S. championships cemented their status as the great American ice dance dynasty. With their seventh national title, they broke a tie with Meryl Davis and Charlie White, solidifying their position as one of the most successful ice dance pairs in U.S. history.
A Dominant Performance
Chock and Bates’ performance at the 2026 U.S. championships was nothing short of exceptional. They set themselves up for success by delivering a strong short program, earning a season-best score of 91.70, nearly six points ahead of the second-place team, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik. Their free dance program, "Paint it Black," which features Chock as a matadora and Bates as a bull, was equally impressive, with the pair bringing intensity and passion to their performance. The crowd was in awe of their step sequence, which highlighted the fairy Paso Doble influence, and their overall performance yielded a double-digit victory, with a total score of 228.87, 15.22 points ahead of the second-place team.
A Career of Excellence
Chock and Bates’ success at the U.S. championships is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their craft. They have been competing at the U.S. championships for 15 years, finishing on the podium 14 times, and have won six championships in the last seven years. Their excellence is not limited to their national titles, as they have also had a successful international career, competing in multiple Olympics and world championships. Chock recalled watching Meryl Davis and Charlie White, as well as Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, growing up and idolizing them, and she hopes to leave a similar legacy for the next generation of ice dancers.
Overcoming Challenges
While Chock and Bates’ success may seem effortless, they have faced their share of challenges throughout their career. Bates reflected on the difficulty of winning their second title in 2020, after their first in 2015, and how it wasn’t an easy ride to get to this point. He credited their domestic rivalries and struggles with sharpening them for international competition, and he believes that these experiences have prepared them for their future endeavors. The pair’s ability to overcome obstacles and adapt to new challenges has been a key factor in their success, and they will likely draw on this experience as they prepare for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
Olympic Ambitions
Chock and Bates are determined to win an Olympic medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, having come close in previous Olympics. They expressed confidence in their abilities, stating that they know what to do and have a plan in place. They intend to stick to their plan, trust themselves and their team, and execute their skills to the best of their ability. With their experience, talent, and dedication, they are certainly contenders for the top spot on the podium, and their fans will be eagerly watching their progress at the upcoming Olympics. As Chock said, "We know what to do… We’re going to stick to it, trust ourselves, trust our team, and do what we know how to do."