Peak moments of the first day of Milan vs. Cortina
USAT’s Sam Cardona Norberg breaks down all the biggest things that happened on the first day of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
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- Madison Chock and Evan Bates helped Team USA take the lead in team figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- The ice dance pair faces a grueling schedule of four programs in six days, more than many of their competitors.
- In addition to a team medal, Chock and Bates are aiming for an individual ice dance gold medal.
- Despite the grueling schedule, both feel mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming competition.
MILAN — Few could have imagined that Madison Chock and Evan Bates would deliver yet another season-best performance on the biggest stage of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
After performing a free dance during the team competition on Saturday, Feb. 7, the couple acted calmly and disrespectfully toward the press, leaving the U.S. in first place by five points heading into Sunday’s final day, when medals will be decided.
Weren’t they happy? Far from it. Were they angry? Apparently not.
So what was it? Perhaps it’s because they’re aiming for a bigger prize, but are overcoming challenges to get there. Simply put, they’re gearing up for perhaps the biggest week of their lives.
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Chock and Bates have one of the toughest schedules of any figure skater in this year’s competition. There are four programs over six days, including back-to-back work in team competitions on February 6th and 7th. There are 48 hours left until the ice dance competition opens with the rhythm dance on February 9th and concludes with the free dance on February 11th. Their performance in the team event earned Team USA its second consecutive gold medal.
“Our team is incredibly strong, definitely the strongest we’ve ever had. I have the utmost confidence in them,” Chock said. “Regardless of the outcome, I’m proud of them.”
But the most decorated ice dance pair in U.S. figure skating history wants more than just a team medal in Milan. All they want is a gold medal in ice dancing, the one accomplishment they’ve been chasing for years. But while they did a lot of the heavy lifting for the team, the competitors were able to get some extra rest.
Laurence Fournier Baudry and Guillaume Cizeron (France) and Lila Fear and Lewis Gibson (Great Britain) did not skate the free dance as France and Great Britain failed to qualify for the final. Canada advanced to the finals, but used Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Laga for the free dance, preserving the legs of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. While Chock and Bates are still recovering, they plan to get plenty of rest in preparation for ice dancing.
On paper, Chock and Bates seem to be at a disadvantage. But if you’ve watched the duo this season, you know that’s not the case.
“We went into the event knowing that was a possibility,” Chock said. “We’re ready mentally and physically.”
Even though the ice dancing arena is crowded and deep, Americans don’t think of it as a competition. Bates said they’re just competing with themselves.
And every time, they keep winning.
“It’s just progress,” he said. “It’s such a cliché, but this is our mindset, this is our approach, this is how we stay focused, this is how we train.”
Half of the hectic week is over, but the work isn’t done yet. It’s the biggest challenge of their careers, and this pair is ready for it.
