LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Madison Chock and Evan Bates took a commanding lead in the rhythm dance at the 2025 Saatva Skate America, scoring a season best 84.77 points with a high-energy Lenny Kravitz medley that perfectly captured the control and charisma that have defined their 15-season partnership. The Olympic gold medalists in the 2022 team event looked at home on Lake Placid ice, where they’re chasing a record-tying fifth Skate America title — something only Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto have achieved to date.

Coming off a victory at Grand Prix China and their third consecutive world crown last spring, Chock and Bates continued their momentum with precise footwork, clean twizzles, and magnetic unison that drew the loudest reaction from the crowd in the iconic Herb Brooks Arena. 

"I feel like we made a lot of improvements since Cup of China, and we're proud to have done them today," Chock said.

They’ve been open that this Olympic season could be their last, but their sharp, confident rhythm dance made clear that they’re skating with the ease and assurance of a team still at the top of their game. Bates called their Lenny Kravitz medley a “perfect fit” for an Olympic season in which ice dancers are mandated to use music from the 90s for the rhythm dance portion of the event.

“We were listening to tons of '90s music from grunge, to pop, to rock, boy bands, Spice Girls — all over the map,” Bates said. “And finally, we circled back to Lenny Kravitz and it just clicked. And we were like, ‘This is it.’”

In 2nd place with 77.42, Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha of Canada impressed with their “sports anthems” medley, a driving combination of AC/DC and The Bouncing Souls. The three-time Canadian silver medalists, coming off a strong showing at Skate Canada, brought exceptional speed and precision, earning their highest rhythm dance score of the season. Their tight technical control kept them well within striking distance of the leaders.

France’s Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud continued their strong early season form, earning 76.72 for a clean and crowd-pleasing Daft Punk and Eiffel 65 rhythm dance for 3rd place. The 2025 European silver medalists showcased cleanly synchronized twizzles, intricate transitions, and on-point choreographic elements. Coming off a bronze at Grand Prix China, the three-time national champions look increasingly secure as France’s top challengers for an Olympic spot behind Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron.

Fellow French duo Loicia Demougeot and Theo Le Mercier earned 73.47, skating in their second Skate America appearance. Despite small timing issues, their playful interpretation kept them 4th and close in the podium mix.

The top American chase team, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, sit 5th with 72.74 following a vibrant and technically polished skate to Sweet Dreams and 100% Pure Love. The two-time U.S. silver medalists, who were 5th at last year’s worlds, showed confidence and control under the guidance of coaches Scott Moir and Madison Hubbell, as they continue to build momentum toward a potential U.S. berth at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics in February.

Katerina Mrazkova and Daniel Mrazek of Czechia, last season’s world junior champions, finished close behind with 72.73, marking a smooth and mature transition to the senior ranks. Their quick edges and ability to carry out a well-rounded angst-filled rock performance highlighted why they’re among Europe’s more promising young teams.

In 7th, Oona and Gage Brown of the U.S. scored 70.25 for their lively Jump Around/What Is Love? routine. Their rhythm dance, filled with clever choreography — including side-by-side mid-step sequence headstands, delighted the crowd despite a slight twizzle wobble and lift error.

Rounding out the roster at Skate America, Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez of Great Britain followed in 8th with 66.81, delivering a stylish and confident Grand Prix debut to a George Michael medley that showcased growing technical precision and composure. Canada’s Alicia Fabbri and Paul Ayer were 9th with 65.37, continuing their steady progress after also placing 9th at Grand Prix Japan, while Celina Fradji and Jean-Hans Fourneaux of France finished with 56.21, showing improved speed and unison.

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara capped off the 2025 Saatva Skate America with a commanding free skate to claim gold, rallying from second after the short program to finish with a total score of 215.99 points. The Japanese world champions delivered a powerful performance with strong choreographic transitions that earned 141.57 in the free skate — more than 20 points clear of the rest of the field — reaffirming their dominance as they continue to build momentum toward the Milan Cortina Olympics.

The duo, who won Grand Prix France earlier this season, looked unshakable in Lake Placid. Their technical strength was on full display, highlighted by a massive triple twist and throw triple loop that drew loud cheers from the crowd. With near-perfect synchronization, Miura and Kihara secured their third consecutive Grand Prix victory.

After leading the short program, Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia slipped to silver with a total of 195.73 points. Their short program to Bolero on Friday had earned a season best 78.83, but the free skate proved more challenging. Two jump errors culminating in a one-point deduction, and the failure to put up a required lift which resulted in a large loss of points, left them with 116.90 and in 4th place in the segment. Despite the drop, the Georgians held on for silver and remain one of the sport’s most exciting young teams, adding another Grand Prix medal to their rapidly growing résumé following earlier wins at Trialeti Trophy and Grand Prix China.

Canada’s Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Ethier delivered the surprise of the night, soaring from sixth after the short to take bronze with a total of 182.87 points. Their free skate, worth 121.58, was highlighted by confident throws and strong lifts, marking their first Grand Prix podium since 2022.

Americans Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe had a breakout night, climbing from 5th after the short to finish 4th overall with 180.02 points. Their free skate earned 118.51 for 3rd place in the segment, featuring elegant lines and a powerful closing lift that brought the Lake Placid crowd to its feet.

Germany’s Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel, third after the short program, dropped to fifth with 176.56. Their dynamic free skate had several errors including a missed lift, earning 108.30. Armenia’s Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin followed in sixth (170.98), continuing their steady improvement as they push toward higher international placements.

The U.S.’s Valentina Plazas and Maximiliano Fernandez placed seventh (163.26) after a clean, expressive free skate worth 106.41, while Olivia Flores and Luke Wang rounded out the field in eighth with 161.44, matching their short program rank but earning personal bests in both segments.