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Chock Bates

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) lead the Ice Dance at the World Championships in Saitama (JPN) © ISU

 

Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) danced to the lead in the Rhythm Dance as the ISU World Figure Skating Championships continued in Saitama (JPN) Friday. 

Chock/Bates (USA) find the right rhythm to lead in Saitama

Three-time ISU Four Continents Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) found the right rhythm to dance to the lead, setting a new personal best score. Reigning European Champions Charlène Guignard/Marco Fabbri of Italy came second while ISU Grand Prix Final Champions Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier of Canada are currently ranked third. 

Skating last, Chock/Bates put on an excellent performance of their characteristic Rhythm Dance “Let’s Dance” – at the end of a great Ice Dance event with many outstanding performances that had the crowd on their feet. The three-time ISU World medalists collected a level four for the twizzles, the midline step sequence as well as for the curve lift. The pattern dance step sequence merited a level three and the couple netted 91.94 points. 

“We skated as best we possibly could today. It was so much fun,” Bates said. “We’re thrilled with the score. It’s always nice when you come off the ice feeling like you’ve skated well and then you see a score that reflects the feeling that you had inside. 

“Training has been going well. We’ve been giving everything inside of us towards our skating and developing these programs as best we can,” he continued.

Guignard/Fabbri’s energetic performance to Salsa songs was highlighted by difficult steps and a curve lift. The ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalists earned a level four for all elements except for his part on the midline step sequence that was rated a level three. They scored a personal best of 88.21 points. 

Fabbri Day 3 ice dance

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri (ITA) in the Ice Dance at the World Championships in Saitama (JPN) © ISU

“We feel fabulous! We wouldn’t have expected such a high score at the end of this season, that’s why we are very happy,” Fabbri said. 

“We know that we have skated very well today. In this season, we didn’t have a lot of time to work on many things as we had many competitions, one after the other. However, for Worlds we have finally found time to come together with our coach and discuss what we need to improve, and that’s why we managed to give a great performance. It really paid off.”

Gilles/Poirier had set the tone for the last group with their upbeat dance to “Do What I Do”. They picked up a level four for  the twizzels and rotational lift while the midline steps garnered a level three and the pattern dance steps a level two. The 2021 World bronze medalists scored 87.34 points. 

Poper Gilles day 3

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (CAN) in the Ice Dance at the World Championships in Saitama (JPN) © ISU

“I feel like there is just something different about us this year,” Gilles said. “Like we are doing everything together, and we feel united every step of the way. Even when things get a little bit sticky it doesn't throw us anymore, and it doesn't shake us. 

“I am so proud of what we accomplished today, with being a little bit nerve wracking not having two competitions under our belt, missing out on that. But we never stopped believing in ourselves, and it just  gives us the confidence to go into tomorrow, and feel ready,” she added, referring to them missing the Canadian Championships and ISU Four Continents Championships after undergoing an appendectomy.

There were many more exciting performances and, with the scores being so close, the Free Dance promises to be intense. 2023 ISU European silver medalists Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson (GBR) came fourth with their Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony inspired dance, and a personal best of 86.56 points. ISU Four Continents silver medalists Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Soerensen (CAN) placed fifth with their Gloria Estefan medley (85.59 points). Caroline Green/Michael Parsons (USA) came sixth with another personal best performance (78.74 points).

 

Skaters/Couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

 

Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).

 

Schedule of the event

The schedule of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships is as follows:


Wednesday, March 22:            Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, March 23:               Pairs Free Skating & Men’s Short Program
Friday, March 24:                     Rhythm Dance & Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, March 25:                Free Dance & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, March 26:                   Exhibition Gala

For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldFigure and #FigureSkating. 

 

Where to watch the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023:

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list on the Where to Watch webpage here.

Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.