Figure skating enthusiasts were treated to a spectacular opening of the Grand Prix season as Madison Chock and Evan Bates clinched their first title of the year at the Cup of China 2025 in Chongqing. The three-time ice dance world champions delivered a captivating free dance performance, scoring a remarkable 123.81 points and earning a total of 208.25 points on Saturday, October 25.
In what can only be described as a coming-out party, Chock/Bates faced stiff competition from fellow Americans Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, who finished just behind them with a total score of 202.27, including a strong performance worth 121.81 points. France’s Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud rounded out the podium in third place with a score of 196.60, featuring an 118.98 in their free dance.
Skating to “Paint It Black,” Chock/Bates experienced a minor setback early in their routine when they poorly executed their opening choreographed assisted jump, impacting their final score compared to previous performances. Nevertheless, their ability to recover and secure this vital victory sets a positive tone for their Grand Prix campaign.
Chock expressed her excitement post-performance, stating, “We had a great time skating today, the crowd was amazing. It felt really good to perform our flamenco for the first time here in Chongqing. We feel like this was a great start to our season and we’re excited to get back home and bring more work before Skate America.”
The duo’s next competitive outing will be at home, participating in the Skate America from November 14-16 in scenic Lake Placid, New York. This upcoming event marks another crucial opportunity for Chock/Bates to build on their success at the Cup of China as they aim to dominate the current figure skating season and maintain their title as champions.
As the figure skating community looks ahead, fans are eagerly anticipating the unfolding competitions in the Grand Prix series as Chock/Bates strive to solidify their position as contenders for the season.
