“Despite feeling unwell due to flu-like symptoms, Madison Chock and Evan Bates secured their fifth US figure skating championship.
The world champions, undefeated since the start of 2023, earned a total of 215.92 points in Columbus, Ohio.
Both Chock and Bates almost didn’t compete, grappling with illness and fever on Friday. However, just 30 minutes before their free dance performance on Saturday, they decided to go for it.
Despite a minor stumble by Bates, they managed the second-best free dance score, securing the win with a 5.88-point lead from their earlier rhythm dance performance.
Bates credited Chock’s toughness, admitting he was unsure about participating but was inspired by her strength. Chock and Bates, both in their early thirties, haven’t confirmed their participation in the 2026 Olympics and plan to take a season-by-season approach. They are set to get married in June.
In the previous year, they won by a significant margin of 22.29 points, marking the largest lead since the ice dance format changed from three programs to two in 2011.”