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Madison Chock and Evan Bates: 2026 Olympic Record & Results

As of February 8, 2026, the leaderboard at the Milano Cortina Winter Games tells a story a decade in the making. Team USA holds a commanding lead in the Olympic Team Event, and much of that cushion comes from the skates of Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

The veteran ice dancers didn’t just show up to Milan; they arrived to dominate. With a Rhythm Dance score of 91.06 and a Free Dance totaling 133.23, they have effectively set the standard for the entire competition. For fans watching back home, this isn’t just about medals. It is the culmination of a career that has seen them evolve from promising contenders into the undisputed captains of American figure skating.

This guide breaks down their record-breaking 2026 season, the technical brilliance of their Milan programs, and the personal milestones—including a 2024 wedding—that define their legendary partnership.

2026 Olympic Performance: Madison Chock and Evan Bates in Milan

The atmosphere inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena was electric as Chock and Bates took center ice. Unlike their previous Olympic appearances, there was no hesitation. They skated with the authority of reigning World Champions.

The Rhythm Dance: A Lenny Kravitz Medley (91.06)

For the 2025-2026 season, the International Skating Union (ISU) required a “Dance Party” theme for the Rhythm Dance. While many teams opted for 80s disco or 90s pop, Chock and Bates chose a grittier, more soulful path: a Lenny Kravitz medley.

Skating to “Fly Away” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” they posted a season-best 91.06.

What made this performance stand out wasn’t just the score; it was the Grade of Execution (GOE) on their twizzles. According to the official Olympics.com 2026 Results score sheets, they received perfect +5 GOEs from seven out of nine judges.

Technical Insight: The key here is their proximity. During the high-speed twizzle sequence, the distance between their blades is often less than three inches. Maintaining that closeness while rotating at full speed is what separates a 91-point skate from an 88-point skate.

The Free Dance: “Paint It Black” Flamenco (133.23)

If the Rhythm Dance was a party, the Free Dance was a masterclass in drama. Set to an orchestral, flamenco-inspired version of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black”, this program is widely considered the most difficult of their career.

They scored a massive 133.23, securing the top spot in the segment.

The highlight element was their signature Curve-Curve Lift. In this move, Evan maintains a deep outside edge while Madison executes a split position upside down. The element was rated Level 4 by the technical panel, contributing a massive 14.74 points to their total technical score (TES).

Leading Team USA to the Team Event Podium

Their combined dominance has put Team USA in the driver’s seat for the Team Event Gold.

Team USA: 44 Points
Japan: 39 Points
Italy: 37 Points

By winning both the Rhythm and Free Dance segments, Chock and Bates secured the maximum 20 points available for their country. This performance echoes their crucial role in the 2022 Beijing Games, but with noticeably more polish and confidence.

Historic Milestones: The Road to 7-Time U.S. Champions

While the Olympics grab the headlines, the real work happened in the domestic season leading up to Milan. In January 2026, Madison and Evan rewrote the history books in St. Louis.

Breaking the Davis/White Record

For years, the gold standard in U.S. Ice Dance was Meryl Davis and Charlie White, who held the record with six national titles. That record officially fell this year.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates captured their 7th U.S. National Championship, a feat no other American team has achieved.

[History of U.S. Figure Skating Champions]

Winning seven titles requires more than just talent; it requires reinvention. Their first title came in 2015. To win again 11 years later proves they have successfully adapted to three different Olympic cycles and multiple rule changes by the ISU.

Evan Bates: The First 5-Time U.S. Olympic Figure Skater

When Evan Bates stepped onto the ice in Milan, he became the first U.S. figure skater in history to compete in five Winter Olympics.

Vancouver 2010: Competing with former partner Emily Samuelson.
Sochi 2014: The Olympic debut of Chock and Bates (8th place).
PyeongChang 2018: A heartbreak fall left them in 9th.
Beijing 2022: A Team Event medal and a 4th place individual finish.
Milano Cortina 2026: Team Captains and Gold Contenders.

My Take: Longevity in figure skating is rare because of the physical toll. Watching Evan in practice this week, you notice he spends significantly more time on warm-up mobility work than the younger skaters. That discipline is exactly why he is still competitive at 36 years old.

Beyond the Ice: The Marriage of Madison Chock and Evan Bates

Fans have followed their on-ice chemistry for over a decade, but their off-ice partnership is just as compelling.

A Romantic June 2024 Wedding in Waikiki

Yes, Madison Chock and Evan Bates are married. After getting engaged in Thailand in 2022, the couple tied the knot in June 2024 in Hawaii.

The ceremony was intimate, taking place at a private estate in Waikiki. It wasn’t just a destination wedding; it was a nod to Madison’s heritage. Her father is of Hawaiian descent, and the couple incorporated traditional lei exchanges into the vows.

[People Magazine Exclusive Wedding Photos]

The wedding served as a pivotal “reset” button for the couple. After the intensity of the 2024 World Championships, taking time to celebrate their personal life seemed to recharge them for this final Olympic push.

Training at the Ice Academy of Montreal (I.A.M.)

Their success is also a testament to their training environment. They train at the Ice Academy of Montreal (I.A.M.), often called the “Harvard of Ice Dance.”

Under coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, and Romain Haguenauer, they train alongside their biggest rivals. This unique environment forces them to be competition-ready every single day of practice. You cannot slack off when the Canadian and British champions are skating on the same patch of ice.

The Artistry of Chock: Designing the 2026 Olympic Costumes

One of the most unique aspects of this team is that Madison Chock designs their costumes herself. In a sport where teams pay thousands of dollars for custom designs, Madison sketches and oversees the creation of their looks.

The “Matador and Bull” Concept

For the “Paint It Black” Free Dance, the concept is abstract but powerful. Evan represents the Matador, and Madison represents the Bull—or perhaps the red cape itself.

The choreography plays with this tension. At times, she is fighting him; at other times, she is flowing around him like fabric in the wind. This Matador and Bull theme allows for sharp, aggressive movements that score well with judges looking for “power” and “attack.”

Managing High-Speed Costume Risks

Designing for the Olympics is risky. A loose thread or a heavy skirt can deduct points or cause a fall.

The “Red Skirt” Strategy: Madison’s 2026 dress features a double-layered skirt. The top layer is a heavy, textured mesh that mimics the movement of a flamenco dress, while the underlayer is lightweight silk to prevent drag.

Risk: If the skirt is too long, it catches on Evan’s blade during lifts.
Solution: The hemline is cut asymmetrically, rising high on the left leg to accommodate the specific grip Evan uses for their rotational lift.

This attention to detail is why they rarely suffer from “costume deductions,” a common error for less experienced teams.

Future Outlook: The Final Pursuit of Individual Gold

The Team Event is just the beginning. The Individual Ice Dance event follows shortly after, and the goal is clear: Gold.

Their main competition remains the French team and the rising Canadian duo. However, Madison Chock and Evan Bates have something the others don’t: the momentum of an undefeated 2025-2026 season.

They have won every Grand Prix assignment, the Grand Prix Final, and the Four Continents Championship leading up to these Games.

Final Thought: In 2014, they were happy to be there. In 2026, they are the ones to beat. Their journey proves that in ice dance, chemistry isn’t built in a season—it’s forged over a decade. Whether they leave Milan with individual gold or not, their legacy as the most durable and decorated team in U.S. history is already secured.

Keep refreshing this page. We will update the scores live as the Individual Event begins.