Madison Chock & Evan Bates Hopes, Fears & Cheers!

[love skating]

Yes congrats to them! They were wonderful! I never thought I would be humming their FD music but I find myself humming it in my head! And today I thought Evan gave more performance than ever - he was really into it! Fingers crossed for them at Worlds - I never tire of watching them.

 

[zebobes]

I tried to come up with another metaphor, really I did, but I couldn't!

Oh, they didn’t blow your socks off???

 

[DORISPULASKI]

Congratulations to Maddie & Evan on a job well done.

I can't wait to see how the programs continue to develop by Worlds!

 

[dancing_on_ice]

On their competitive future after worlds, the couple is undecided, saying they are taking things “season by season.”
“I couldn’t have predicted how this season unfolded,” Chock said. “But that’s what keeps it interesting, and that’s what keeps us hooked — our love of the sport, our love of growth. That we get to do it together on a daily basis is even better.
“And so long as we have that love, that drive, that fire, we will continue.”

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2023/February/13/Chock-And-Bates-Competitive-Fire-Still-Burns-Bright

 

[Lanie]

I am so proud of them. I really appreciated watching Evan, when before my eyes were usually drawn to Madi. They've worked really hard in making these programs work, and I admit I really didn't like the programs much at Skate America, but now it's all fallen in to place.

 

[Sylvia]

Nick Zaccardi focused on Madi & Evan and their career in his pre-Worlds article for NBC Sports' OlympicTalk (March 21):

For Madison Chock, Evan Bates, an ice dance to seize, at long last, at figure skating worlds

Madison Chock and Evan Bates, ice dance partners for 12 years and three Olympics, can win a first global title at the world figure skating championships.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[DORISPULASKI]

Nice to hear Ben Agosto likes their free dance best of those of the competitors!

 

[BlueRidge]

Just opening that article and looking at the headline made me catch my breath. Oh shit its here! Come on Madison & Evan!!!!!!

 

[Mugs]

I have been a fan of Madison and Evan for years. I really hope this is finally their time to win Worlds.

 

[alexikeguchi]

I loved Madi's and Evan's SP performance! They have come such a long way since the start of the season and over the past few years; Madi's skating and Evan's performance quality have improved beyond belief. They always look like they are genuinely having a blast out there, just reveling in skating together and sharing their experience with the audience. I hope their beautiful flame program goes equally brilliantly and that they achieve their goal of being world champions. And maybe one day they'll finally be acknowledged as Olympic champions too.

 

[BittyBug]

Madison was everything today - absolutely radiant. And criticism be damned, I love this program. Latin is a rhythm, not lyrics, and I love this remix (and yes, I'm a Bowie fan).

IMO this program is the closest to Latin ballroom, and Chock's turns have that crisp sharpness of turns on the floor. Their execution was close to perfection and they sold it to the rafters. Deservedly in first place IMO.

 

[BlueRidge]

Madison was everything today - absolutely radiant. And criticism be damned, I love this program. Latin is a rhythm, not lyrics, and I love this remix (and yes, I'm a Bowie fan).

IMO this program is the closest to Latin ballroom, and Chock's turns have that crisp sharpness of turns on the floor. Their execution was close to perfection and they sold it to the rafters. Deservedly in first place IMO.

This is good to hear. At 3 o'clock in the morning watching through my fingers, I didn't really see how they skated.

 

[BittyBug]

I watched it on replay this morning, knowing the results, so I was able to fully relax and enjoy it, including the 2nd time. As someone said in the SD competition thread, it was the shortest of the short dance programs - just flew by.

 

[deegee]

the difference for me in their performance here was evan's performance quality. this was definitely the most comfortable-in-his-own-skin performance i've seen from him since he and madi partnered up! good for them

 

[Lanie]

 

[Debbie S]

Congratulations to the 2023 World Champions! And new record holders for highest TES in both RD and FD!



That was nervewracking at the end but being a C/B uber has never been an easy ride. So happy for them!

 

[Allskate]

That was nervewracking at the end but being a C/B uber has never been an easy ride. So happy for them!

I was watching the competition live and paused it just before their performance because I was so nervous. I decided to wait until it was over and see the results before watching it. OMG. I read about the fall and didn't realize it wasn't on an element. That leg pull has made me nervous all season. Either too little pull or too much? What's with all the winners at Worlds this year having a mistake in their last performance?

 

[yurokis40]

Pathetic bought victory shame on you americans.

 

[AYS]

I haven't had a chance to watch the FD yet, but I'm thrilled for them! What a season! They should be very proud of the fight and progression they showed.

A win for C/B and 2 beautiful skates for Jason were my fondest wishes for this worlds and I got both.

 

[Lanie]

Pathetic bought victory shame on you americans.

Oh, I'm sure Madi and Evan are completely crushed

 

[love skating]

Congrats to Madi and Evan! I hope they continue on though - I want to see more of their programs!

I have to laugh at every picture with the three dance team medalists because Evan looks like a dad with five of his kids lol - he's so tall!

 

[nickp]

The 10th time was the charm for Madison Chock & Evan Bates

 

[Spiralgraph]

Congratulations to the new world champions. Not their very best FD, but they won.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

I am so happy for them, and I do hope they go on.

They always bring new and unexpected things to ice dance.

And Madison's hair styles have spread throughout skating.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Today was a day of ultimate redemption for Madi and Evan. For all the OG fans, we have seen it all. From the lackluster results at their first Nats to the twizzle disasters that cost them world medals. Madi sobbing at 2018 Nats after they’d won the FD but were stuck with bronze and no Olympic team event. Collapsing on a spin at the Olympics. 2020 Worlds being cancelled when they were zooming toward the podium with the iconic snake program. Madi’s concussion in 2021 that stalled their revival in Montreal. Hitting a rut in the ice in the 2022 Olympic RD. They were always SO CLOSE but just out of reach. But not today. Aside from the fluke fall (which I thought was so fitting considering the crazy mishaps they’ve had in their career), they went out and grabbed the title with pure, passionate and precise skating. I couldn’t be more proud of them!!!!

 

[icefan13]

Congratulations to Chock & Bates! It has been a long road to world championship gold, but they did it.

 

[Sylvia]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1639621905832636416

Evan ("Soaking it in and it still doesn’t feel real. What a crazy journey it’s been. Thank you for being a part of it! "): https://www.instagram.com/p/CqOys1dP-vj/

Madi ("Had a cute date last night "): https://www.instagram.com/p/CqR5ymTSsfi/
More pics from the banquet: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqSV4Ntyjcs/

ETA:

I loved Madi's and Evan's SP performance!

Thank you for posting the link to their RD - glad to hear Mark Hanretty's positive commentary!

NBC Sports' video of their FD (also with Hanretty): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8pMYROriB8
Madi's quote in their kiss & cry interview afterwards: "Elated! I was so into our performance and connected with Evan from the start through little boop (her fall) and to the end. I’m so happy! [about the fall] I just caught my heel on the ice and it was so surprising."

 

[Sylvia]

Madi has shared some of her favorite moments from Worlds : https://www.instagram.com/p/CqU_5sMuNjj/

 

[Debbie S]

New podcast up: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlaced-with-chock-and-bates/id1588753787

They both had a stomach virus at Worlds on the days they competed. Which makes their performances even more amazing.

(I think we might need a new thread? )

 

[Sylvia]

(I think we might need a new thread? )

Sounds good to me - title suggestions?