OHIO: Ice dance duo Chock and Bates faced flu-like symptoms that nearly led them to withdraw from the decisive free dance event in Columbus, Ohio. Undeterred, they chose to push through after a rigorous warm-up, delivering a seamless performance set to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.”
Bates, acknowledging the challenging circumstances, credited his partner Madi for her toughness, stating, “I was really on the fence about whether I wanted to do it today, to be honest. But she’s so tough and so strong. She wasn’t feeling well either, but we just put our willpower together.”
Despite potential setbacks due to illness in US Figure Skating Championships, the couple showcased rock-solid lifts, though a few uncharacteristic wobbles may have impacted their performance. With a free-skate score of 123.75, they secured gold at the event, accumulating a total of 215.92 points. Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko claimed second place with 210.04 points, while Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville secured the third spot with 196.94 points.
Reflecting on the uncertainties surrounding their health during the competition, Chock expressed her determination, stating, “We didn’t know how we were going to feel when we got to the event tonight, but in my heart I wanted to do it, and I knew we could do it. It was just a decision we had to make between the two of us whether it was worth it, and it was worth it.”
Chock and Bates, who clinched their first Grand Prix Final title in Beijing in December, will now set their sights on defending their title at the upcoming World Championships in Montreal from March 18-24. The victory in Columbus marked another significant achievement for the duo, particularly after securing their first title at the World Championships in Saitama last year, breaking a decade-long quest for the top spot.
While their stellar season included wins at Skate America and the Grand Prix Espoo, health concerns raised doubts about their participation in the Four Continents competition in Shanghai, scheduled to commence shortly. The duo’s ability to triumph over adversity underscores their resilience and determination in the world of figure skating.
