Chock and Bates Dominate U.S. Figure Skating Championships Rhythm Dance

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two-time defending world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates took a commanding lead in the ice dance rhythm dance competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. The duo scored 92.16 points, nearly 10 points ahead of their closest competitors, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who scored 82.86 points.

Chock and Bates, who are vying for their fourth consecutive national title, delivered a dynamic performance that spanned three decades of American pop culture. Their routine included music from “Hawaii Five-O,” “Let’s Twist Again,” and the Bee Gees‘ “Stayin’ Alive,” culminating in a crowd-pleasing rendition of the Village People‘s “YMCA.” Despite Chock battling a food-related stomach bug, the pair showcased their trademark creativity and precision.

“Our goal is always to deliver our best performance, no matter the circumstances,” Chock said in a statement. “We’re thrilled with how it turned out.”

Carreira and Ponomarenko, the reigning silver medalists, secured second place with a playful nod to 1950s sock hops. Despite a minor error in their twizzle sequence, their choreographed rhythm sequence earned high marks. “Our job doesn’t change regardless of the scores,” Carreira said. “We want to skate our best.”

Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik tied for third place with Caroline Green and Michael Parsons, both pairs scoring 82.13 points. Zingas and Kolesnik’s medley of Bee Gees hits impressed the judges, while Green and Parsons’ technical score placed them just behind in fourth.

The ice dance competition will conclude Saturday with the free dance, where Chock and Bates aim to solidify their dominance. Meanwhile, the women’s champion will be decided later Friday, with Alysa Liu leading after the short program. The 19-year-old, returning from a two-year retirement, holds a five-point advantage over two-time champion Bradie Tennell and defending champion Amber Glenn.

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships also set the stage for the upcoming world championships in Boston and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where Chock and Bates are expected to be strong contenders.