ST. LOUIS, Missouri — It was an electric start to the ice dance event at the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, with Madison Chock and Evan Bates surging into a commanding lead with a season’s best 91.70 points. Skating a crowd-pleasing Lenny Kravitz rhythm dance built around this season’s required 1990s theme, the three-time world champions delivered the kind of polish, unity and synchronization that has made them Olympic gold favorites. The husband-and-wife duo, now in their 15th season together, drew a standing ovation as they took their bows, reinforcing their status atop a deep U.S. field.

Eyes also were on the returning Shibutani siblings, Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, who competed for the first time this season nearly after a seven-year hiatus, retiring following the 2018 Olympic Games. The team revealed on social media that Maia, who recovered from kidney cancer in 2019, dealt with a fractured kneecap over the summer. After uneven Grand Prix outings — 6th in Japan and 5th in Finland — they debuted a brand-new rhythm dance to “Canned Heat” in St. Louis. Their comeback effort earned 71.24 points and 10th place, setting the stage for a tightly packed race behind the leaders.

In 2nd place, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik continued their breakout momentum from 2025, when they reached the Grand Prix Final after podium finishes on both Grand Prix assignments. In St. Louis, they wowed the audience with a program that was pure energy from beginning to end. Barely seeming to take pause for breath, the duo — who teamed up in 2022 when Zingas switched from women’s singles to ice dance — earned 85.98 points, keeping them firmly in the Olympic conversation.

Close behind in 3rd, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko delivered the rhythm dance they had been searching for all season. After significant revisions to their plans — including reworking the short dance and reinstating their “Perfume” free dance from 2023–24 — the team looked sharper and more confident, posting 83.29 points.

Sitting 4th with 80.55 was Caroline Green and Michael Parsons, who skated a polished, playful program to “Groove Is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite and ‘I’m Too Sexy’ by Right Said Fred. Training in Michigan with 2006 Olympic silver medalist Tanith Belbin, they looked comfortable in the final warm-up group and recorded a season’s-best score. Just behind them in 5th, Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville found another gear in their clever Madonna ‘Vogue program, earning a season’s best 79.43 and positioning themselves firmly in the hunt as the free dance approaches.

Innovative choreography pushed Oona Brown and Gage Brown into 6th with 75.72. Their rhythm dance featured eye-catching elements, including a synchronized headstand, complex choreography with constantly changing hand holds and well-placed footwork managing to really portray 90s energy to ‘Jump Around’ by House of Pain. In 7th, Katarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski, the 2025 World Junior silver medalists, skated an energetic Backstreet Boys program with strong transitions, footwork and lifts, earning 74.99. Heavy-metal flair defined the 8th-place effort from Eva Pate and Logan Bye, whose passionate performance drew loud approval from the crowd and totaled 73.54. The married duo entered nationals after a productive fall that included victories at Lombardia Trophy and Ice Challenge.

Rounding out the top 10, Leah Neset and Artem Markelov finished 9th with 71.28. The three-time U.S. junior champions and 2024 junior world champions showed flashes of their potential in a lively 90s mashup after a season hampered by early mistakes, while the Shibutanis settled into 10th as they continue building competition mileage.

Sibling team Elliana Peal and Ethan Peal (69.60) the 2025 U.S. junior silver medalists, placed 11th after a high-energy MC Hammer medley marked by strong unity. Amy Cui and Jonathan Rogers (67.60) followed in 12th ahead of Isabella Flores and Linus Colmor Jepsen (66.37) in 13th, Raffaella Koncius and Alexey Shchepetov (65.15) in 14th, and Vanessa Pham and Anton Spiridonov in 15th on 61.41.

The 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championship continues live on NBC and USA Network, streaming on Peacock. The ice dance event concludes on Saturday with the Free Dance at 3.25 p.m. ET.

1. Madison Chock/Evan Bates – 91.70
2. Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik – 85.98
3. Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko – 83.29
4. Caroline Green/Michael Parsons – 80.55
5. Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville – 79.43
6. Oona Brown/Gage Brown – 75.72
7. Katarina Wolfkostin/Dimitry Tsarevski – 74.99
8. Eva Pate/Logan Bye – 73.54
9. Leah Neset/Artem Markelov – 71.28
10. Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani – 71.24
11. Elliana Peal/Ethan Peal – 69.60
12. Amy Cui/Jonathan Rogers – 67.60
13. Isabella Flores/Linus Colmor Jepsen – 66.37
14. Raffaella Koncius/Alexey Shchepetov – 65.15
15. Vanessa Pham/Anton Spiridonov – 61.41