"Madison Chock and Evan Bates danced their way to a record-setting seventh US figure skating title on Saturday night, showcasing their trademark creativity, athleticism and precision in their final competition before the Milan Cortina Olympics. The three-time reigning world champions, performing a flamenco-style dance to a version of the Rolling Stones hit Paint It Black from the dystopian sci-fi Western show Westworld, produced a season-best free skate and finished with 228.87 points."
"Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik were second with 213.65 points and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko were third with 206.95, making those two pairs the likely choices to join Chock and Bates on the American squad for the upcoming Winter Games. US Figure Skating will announce its selections on Sunday."
"The feeling that we got from the audience today was unlike anything I've ever felt before, said Chock, who along with Bates helped the Americans win team gold at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, but finished a disappointing fourth in the ice dance. They'll be the heavy favorites to win gold next month in Italy. I felt so much love and joy, Chock continued, and I'm so grateful for this moment."
"The men's medals also were to be decided on Saturday, though two-time world champion Ilia Malinin had built such a lead after his short program that the self-styled Quad God would have to stumble mightily to miss out on a fourth consecutive title. The real question is who will join Malinin on the Olympic team. The US also has qualified the maximum of three men's spots for the Winter Games, and competition is tight between second-place Tomoko Hiwatashi, fan favorite Jason Brown, Andrew Torgashev and Maxim Naumov to round out the nationals podium."
Madison Chock and Evan Bates captured a record-setting seventh U.S. ice dance title with a season-best free skate, scoring 228.87 points to close their national campaign ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics. Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik finished second with 213.65 points, and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko placed third with 206.95, positioning both teams as likely Olympic selections. U.S. Figure Skating will announce the team on Sunday. Chock described an overwhelming audience reaction and expressed gratitude and joy. In the men's event, Ilia Malinin built a commanding lead while several skaters battled for the remaining Olympic spots.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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