They didn't just win; they transcended.
When Madison Chock and Evan Bates stepped off the ice in St. Louis this January 2026, the scoreboard flashed a number that most people expected: 228.87. It was enough to secure their seventh U.S. national title, officially breaking the long-standing record held by legends Meryl Davis and Charlie White. But if you were watching their faces instead of the digital readout, you saw something much heavier than a gold medal. You saw 15 years of "almosts," a mid-career coaching overhaul, and a relationship that morphed from polite coworkers to a married couple currently eyeing the only thing missing from their mantle: an Olympic individual gold.
Why Madison Chock and Evan Bates are the ultimate "Long Game" in sports
Most figure skating partnerships are combustible. They either flame out in three years or settle into a polite, professional distance. Honestly, Chock and Bates shouldn't have worked as long as they have. When they first teamed up in 2011, they were basically "rebounds" for each other. Madison’s partner Greg Zuerlein had retired, and Evan’s partner Emily Samuelson had moved on. They were the "leftover" team.
Fast forward to today. They are three-time World Champions (2023, 2024, 2025) and three-time Grand Prix Final winners. They didn't just survive; they outlasted the entire field.
👉 See also: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
The Montreal Pivot
The turning point for Madison Chock and Evan Bates wasn't a specific medal. It was the move to the Ice Academy of Montreal (I.A.M.) under Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon. Before the move, they were technically solid but maybe a bit... safe? Montreal changed that. They started leaning into "the weird." We're talking about programs like the "Alien and the Astronaut" or their current fiery flamenco to an orchestral version of Paint It, Black.
- Longevity by the numbers:
- 15 seasons together (unheard of in modern ice dance).
- 7 U.S. National Titles (a new record).
- 4 Olympic Games together (heading into Milan 2026).
The Marriage and the Milan Mission
In June 2024, the duo finally tied the knot in Hawaii. It’s funny because fans had been shipping them for years before they actually started dating in 2017. Most people think being married makes the skating easier. In reality, it adds a layer of vulnerability that can be terrifying under the bright lights of an Olympic rink.
Right now, they are the oldest American woman and man to compete on a U.S. Olympic figure skating team since the 1930s. Madison is 33, and Evan is 36. In a sport that often treats 25-year-olds like senior citizens, they are essentially the "Old Guard" proving that maturity beats youthful franticness every single time.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
What happened in St. Louis?
At the 2026 U.S. Championships, they didn't just skate; they put on a clinic. Their free dance featured seven Level 4 elements. Their technical score of 77.89 was a statement directed squarely at their international rivals. They aren't just going to Milan to participate. They're going there to win the one title that has eluded them: Olympic Individual Gold.
Dealing with the "Is this the end?" question
Everyone wants to know if they're retiring after Milan. Honestly, even they don't seem 100% sure. Evan has mentioned "soaking in the nostalgia," and Madison has talked about leaving a legacy for the next generation. It feels like a swan song. If it is, they’re going out at the absolute peak of their powers.
The strategy they've adopted—taking ownership of their training and creative process—is why they’re still here. They design their own costumes (Madison is a legitimate fashion talent), they pick their own music, and they manage their own workload. It's a template for how to have a long-term career in an industry that usually chews athletes up and spits them out by age 22.
🔗 Read more: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
How to watch the final chapter
If you want to follow the rest of this historic run, keep an eye on the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. They’ve been named to the U.S. team alongside rising stars Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, but make no mistake: Chock and Bates are the headliners.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
To truly appreciate their skating, don't look at their feet. Look at their upper bodies. Their "unison"—the way their torsos move in perfect symmetry—is the result of 15 years of muscle memory. That kind of connection cannot be faked or fast-tracked.
Your Next Steps
- Review the Schedule: Check the official Milan 2026 calendar for the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance and Free Dance times.
- Analyze the Programs: Watch their "Paint It, Black" routine from the 2026 Nationals. Pay attention to the combination curve lift; it scored a massive 15.70 points and is likely their "secret weapon" for the Olympic podium.
- Support the Legacy: Look into the Madison Chock-designed apparel lines, as she often integrates her skating aesthetic into her creative work outside the rink.