Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered a show-stopping rhythm dance in Chongqing on Friday, taking a commanding lead at the 2025 Grand Prix Cup of China. Skating to a medley of Lenny Kravitz hits, the reigning world champions infused the ice with rock’n’roll attitude — a performance that reminded everyone why they remain among the most magnetic duos in Winter Olympic figure skating.
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Their electric interpretation of Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way” and Fly Away combined sharp precision with swagger and chemistry, earning them a season-best score that brought the Chinese crowd to its feet. We wanted to bring something raw and real, Chock said afterward. Lenny’s music has such energy and soul — it felt like the perfect way to start this Grand Prix season.
A New Chapter in Winter Olympic Figure Skating Expression
After a busy off-season balancing performances, coaching work, and choreography projects, Chock and Bates entered the 2025–26 Olympic cycle with renewed focus. Now veterans of the sport, they’re blending experience with creativity — aiming not just to win medals but to leave a lasting artistic mark before Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.
Every program now feels like a chance to tell our story, Bates explained. We’ve evolved so much as athletes and as people. This season is about skating from the heart — and having fun with it. The Lenny Kravitz rhythm dance is the centerpiece of that new philosophy. Created in collaboration with choreographer Sam Chouinard and long-time mentor Marie-France Dubreuil, the program celebrates individuality and self-expression — qualities that have defined Chock and Bates throughout their two-decade partnership. The music gives us permission to let loose, said Chock. It’s about confidence, connection, and freedom. You don’t have to overthink it — you just have to feel it. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026 Sato Shun Leads After Cizeron-Choreographed Short at Cup of China
Rock’n’Roll Meets Refinement
While the program is filled with energy, it’s also a technical masterpiece. From the precise twizzles to the lightning-fast midline step sequence, every element was executed with control and intention. Their transitions — set seamlessly to Kravitz’s guitar riffs — flowed with ease, creating the illusion of improvisation while maintaining the difficulty that judges demand.
They make the ice feel like a concert stage, said one commentator. It’s performance, sport, and theater all in one. The audience response was immediate. As the final note of Fly Away faded, the crowd erupted in cheers a mix of awe and admiration for a team that continues to reinvent what ice dance can look like. Even in a field featuring younger competitors, Chock and Bates’ maturity and poise gave them a commanding edge.

Enduring Legacy in Winter Olympic Figure Skating
Now in their 13th competitive season together, Chock and Bates have evolved from talented hopefuls into true icons of Winter Olympic figure skating. Their chemistry both professional and personal has become their signature, allowing them to bring authenticity to every performance.
We’ve been through so much together victories, injuries, heartbreaks, said Bates. But the reason we’re still here is because we love it. We love the challenge, and we love growing together.
That shared resilience was tested in past seasons as they navigated the emotional aftermath of Olympic disappointment and the physical demands of staying competitive in their 30s. But each challenge, Chock says, has deepened their artistry. When you’ve lived through ups and downs, it changes how you move, she said. You don’t skate for validation anymore — you skate for truth.
Artistic Risk, Technical Reward
Their rhythm dance at the Cup of China exemplifies that philosophy. While the music choice might seem unconventional for ice dance, the blend of rock and rhythm works seamlessly with their style — bold yet elegant, structured yet spontaneous.
Dubreuil praised the pair’s ability to find balance between technical mastery and emotional storytelling. Madison and Evan have this incredible sense of musicality, she said. They can take a piece of music and make it breathe. That’s something rare. Their efforts paid off in scores, with particularly high marks for performance, interpretation, and musical timing. Judges praised their confidence and connection, noting that the routine showcased “commanding presence and originality.

Rivals in Pursuit
Trailing closely behind are Italy’s Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri, whose Latin-inspired rhythm dance also earned strong reviews. The Italians remain one of Chock and Bates’ biggest rivals heading into the free dance, setting up a compelling showdown for gold.
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Meanwhile, rising Chinese duo Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu thrilled the home crowd with an emotional and technically solid performance, securing third place. The energy in the arena was incredible, said Wang. To skate in front of our fans means so much.
Chock and Bates’ Enduring Impact on Winter Olympic Figure Skating
Beyond the standings, Chock and Bates’ performance in China represents something bigger — a reaffirmation of their enduring influence on the Winter Olympic figure skating world. Known for pushing artistic boundaries, the pair continues to inspire younger athletes to see ice dance as not just competition, but a form of creative expression.
Watching Madison and Evan is like watching movement set to emotion, said one fan online. They remind us why we fell in love with Winter Olympic figure skating in the first place. Their connection to the sport’s deeper values — artistry, vulnerability, and passion — has earned them a devoted following around the world. Whether it’s their ethereal A Star Is Born” free dance or their fiery new Kravitz rhythm, the duo continues to reinvent themselves without losing authenticity.
Eyes Toward Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
With the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 Games approaching, Chock and Bates are aware that each performance carries extra weight. They’ve been open about viewing this Olympic cycle as potentially their last, but rather than succumbing to pressure, they’ve chosen to enjoy every moment.

We’re skating for joy, Chock said simply. If that joy inspires others on or off the ice then that’s what really matters. Bates echoed the sentiment: This isn’t just about medals. It’s about meaning. We want to leave the sport better than we found it.
Artistry, Freedom, and the Future of Winter Olympic Figure Skating
As the Cup of China moves toward its free dance finale, one thing is certain: Chock and Bates are not just leading — they’re leading with purpose. Their Kravitz rhythm dance has proven that even in a sport rooted in precision, personality still reigns supreme. And when the final note rings out and the crowd rises again, it’s clear that Madison Chock and Evan Bates aren’t just skating to win — they’re skating to live out loud.
For the reigning World champions, the performance in Chongqing felt like another statement of intent — a reminder that ice dance continues to evolve beyond classical molds. Their rhythm dance showcased not only technical mastery but also the fearless creativity that has defined their partnership for over a decade. It’s this blend of innovation, connection, and pure musicality that has kept them at the forefront of Winter Olympic figure skating, inspiring a new generation to find freedom and individuality on the ice.

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