> At a Glance
> – Madison Chock and Evan Bates captured a record seventh U.S. ice-dance crown
> – They scored 228.87 points with a season-best free skate
> – Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik took silver at 213.65
> – Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko bronze at 206.95
> – Why it matters: With only one Olympic spot left, these scores shape the American roster bound for Milan Cortina
The ice inside Enterprise Center shimmered Saturday night as Madison Chock and Evan Bates closed their final domestic chapter before the biggest stage of all. Their record-setting seventh U.S. title was never in doubt, yet the tension surrounding who joins them in Milan Cortina electrified every routine.
A Seventh Crown, Then the Clock
Chock and Bates delivered a flamenco-tinged free skate set to Paint It Black from Westworld, racking up 228.87 points and leaving no question they remain America’s top ice-dance hope. Bates framed the win as momentum builder: “We like to build through the season, and skating well here gives us confidence going into Milan.”
The Next Three Steps
Behind them, three couples jockey for the lone remaining Olympic berth:
- Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik – 213.65 silver
- Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko – 206.95 bronze
- Oona Brown and Gage Brown – fifth, yet earned the night’s first standing ovation
A Night of Twizzles and Twists
Brown siblings Brown opened with a Godfather-inspired program that snapped a streak of stumbles, while Emilea Zingas-switching singles to dance four years ago-and partner Kolesnik held the top spot briefly before Chock and Bates reclaimed it.
Key Takeaways
- Chock and Bates enter Milan Cortina as three-time world champions since Beijing disappointment
- One Olympic ice-dance slot remains for the U.S.
- Brown siblings delivered arguably their best performance yet
- Zingas and Kolesnik seized silver with Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet
As the countdown narrows, the American ice-dance picture crystallifies: Chock and Bates headline, one partner joins them, and the **rest chase redemption in Milan.
