**Madison Chock and Evan Bates Make History with Seventh U.S. Title**
**Meta Description:** Madison Chock and Evan Bates secure their seventh U.S. Figure Skating title, setting the stage for their Olympic bid in Milan Cortina.
**URL Slug:** madison-chock-evan-bates-seventh-us-title
**Headline:** Madison Chock and Evan Bates Achieve Historic Seventh U.S. Figure Skating Title Ahead of Olympics
In a remarkable display of talent and artistry, U.S. figure skating champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates clinched their record-setting seventh U.S. Figure Skating title on Saturday, just ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics. The duo, who are three-time reigning world champions, captivated the audience with a flamenco-inspired performance set to a rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” featured in the dystopian series “Westworld.” Their impressive free skate earned them a season-best score of 228.87 points.
“The feeling we received from the audience today was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Chock expressed, reflecting on the emotional atmosphere of the competition. With their stellar performance, Chock and Bates are poised as strong contenders for the gold medal next month in Italy.
Chock further shared her gratitude, stating, “I felt so much love and joy, and I’m incredibly thankful for this moment.” The U.S. Figure Skating organization is set to announce its Olympic team selections on Sunday.
Following Chock and Bates, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik secured second place with 213.65 points, while Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko took third with 206.95 points. These pairs are likely candidates to join Chock and Bates on the American team for the upcoming Winter Games.
In the men’s competition, two-time world champion Ilia Malinin had established a significant lead after the short program, making him the favorite for a fourth consecutive title. The U.S. has qualified the maximum of three spots for men in the Winter Games, with fierce competition among Tomoko Hiwatashi, Jason Brown, Andrew Torgashev, and Maxim Naumov for the remaining podium positions.
Chock and Bates’ previous Olympic experience in 2022 in Beijing was marred by controversy when they initially finished with a team silver medal, as the gold was awarded to a competitor later disqualified for doping violations. It wasn’t until January 2024 that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of Chock, Bates, and the U.S. team, declaring them the rightful gold medalists after Kamila Valieva, who tested positive for a banned substance, was suspended for four years.
During a recent media summit, Chock and Bates reflected on the challenges faced by young athletes like Valieva. Bates noted, “It’s hard to imagine what a 15-year-old has gone through in such a situation. Being an elite athlete is stressful, even as an adult.”
As the figure skating community looks forward to the Winter Olympics, Chock and Bates’ historic achievement sets a hopeful tone for their journey in Milan.
**FAQ:**
**Q: What title did Madison Chock and Evan Bates win recently?**
A: Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their seventh U.S. Figure Skating title, making history in their final competition before the Milan Cortina Olympics.
