Chock and Bates secure Third Grand Prix Final Title in Nagoya
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Madison Chock and Evan bates of the USA have cemented their dominance in ice dance, winning their third Grand Prix Final title at the 2025 competition held in Nagoya, Japan on Saturday, December 6th. the three-time world champions delivered a stunning free dance performance, scoring a season’s best of 131.68 points and finishing with a total score of 217.61. https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/events/grand-prix-final/2025/nagoya-jpn
A record-Breaking Performance
The American duo not only secured the gold but also improved upon their previous season’s best in both the rhythm dance and free dance. Their advancement of 3.87 points in the free dance was particularly noteworthy, showcasing their continued growth and refinement.
The Competition
While Chock and Bates held a narrow lead after the rhythm dance, the competition was fierce. France’s Laurence Fournier-Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who had won both of their Grand Prix assignments this season, were strong contenders. However, a two-point deduction – stemming from a prolonged curve lift and a fall by Fournier-Beaudry – ultimately relegated them to second place with a total score of 214.25.
Close Finishes for Bronze and Beyond
The battle for the remaining podium spots was equally compelling. Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Great Britain captivated the audience with their Scottish-themed program,earning a standing ovation and a season’s best of 126.26, securing them third place – a repeat of their 2024 result.
Just behind them, Piper gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada also achieved a season’s best of 125.86 in the free dance. Despite their improvement, they fell just 0.6 points short of overtaking Fear and Gibson, finishing fourth. This marks the second consecutive year the world silver medallists have missed the podium at the Grand Prix Final.
Looking Ahead
Chock and Bates’ victory underscores their position as leading figures in the world of ice dance. As the figure skating season progresses, their performance sets a high bar for competitors and builds anticipation for the upcoming World Championships.
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