- Flamenco Fire: The American “power couple” delivered a mesmerizing free dance to a haunting orchestral version of Paint It Black, leaving the Milan crowd breathless.
- Nine-Point Demolition: Chock and Bates didn’t just win—they obliterated the field with a season-high 133.23, finishing a staggering 9.01 points ahead of the nearest challengers from Italy.
- Modern Day Legends: Critics and fans are drawing “spine-tingling” comparisons to the legendary Torvill and Dean, citing the duo’s “unison, poetry in motion, and absolute perfection.”
- Gold In Sight: The masterclass has cemented Team USA’s lead at the top of the standings with 44 points, putting them five points clear of Japan heading into the final medal-deciding segments.
MILAN, ITALY — In what is being hailed as the “performance of the Games,” Madison Chock and Evan Bates have reminded the world why they are the reigning kings and queens of the ice.
On a “electrifying” Saturday night at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, the husband-and-wife duo produced a routine so precise and graceful that seasoned observers say it “transcended sport and became art.” Trading the glitter of their Lenny Kravitz rhythm dance for the dark, intense drama of a Rolling Stones-inspired flamenco, the Americans skated with a “ferocious” elegance that left the competition in their wake.
The technical panel was equally “entranced,” awarding the pair Level 4s across the board, including a curve-curve combination lift that was the highest-scoring element of the entire segment.
THE CHOCK/BATES DOMINATION: BY THE NUMBERS
| Category | Score / Detail | The ‘Daily Mail’ Verdict |
| Total Score | 133.23 | Unstoppable! |
| The Lead | +9.01 Points | A Total Rout! |
| Music | Paint It Black | Haunting & Sizzling! |
| The Vibe | Torvill & Dean | The Gold Standard! |
‘I FORGOT TO BREATHE!’
Madison Chock and Evan Bates’s EPIC Free Dance routine in full. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/NNmHAUGS4m
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 8, 2026
Social media has exploded with praise for the duo, with one fan noting, “The unison, the poetry in motion… it was so brilliant I could not take my eyes off them.”
For Chock and Bates, the performance was more than just points—it was a statement. Competing in their fourth Olympics, the pair are on a mission to secure the one major title missing from their trophy cabinet: Individual Olympic Gold. If Saturday’s “masterclass” is any indication, the rest of the world is skating for silver.
“We felt very calm, very present,” Chock said after the routine. “It was a great feeling to take Olympic ice with that intention and really savor the moment.”
As of Sunday evening, Team USA maintains a solid lead in the overall team standings. With the “Quad God” Ilia Malinin and world champion Alysa Liu waiting in the wings for the final free skates, the Americans are looking “all but certain” to defend their Olympic team title.
