Three-time and reigning World ice dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates finished the rhythm dance in a virtual deadlock with the team from France on Monday, 0.46 points behind heading into Wednesday's free dance at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

In an entertaining and charismatic routine to Lenny Kravitz hits, Chock and Bates skated with speed and assurance, nailing their opening Level 4 sequential twizzles and gaining top marks for their closing Level 4 rotational lift.

The seven-time and reigning U.S. champions earned 89.72 points, putting them just behind the leaders, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron.

"We felt really strong," Bates said. "We felt like it was even better than the team event. I think the emotion at the end of the program – the hug, the smiles, the bows – that is for me the greatest memory of the Olympic Games. It's the feeling of accomplishment knowing you did your best on the ice, and the rest isn't necessarily up to us. So I'm really proud of how we skated and controlled what we could."

Repeat winners of the Olympic team event on Sunday, Chock and Bates are competing in their fourth Olympics together and will vie for their first individual Olympic medal on Wednesday.

"I feel like the team event was a great way to start the Games and we felt comfortable when we got out on the ice tonight," Chock said.

In their Olympic debut, 2026 U.S. silver medalists Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik were confidence on ice in their sharp and speedy rhythm dance to "Poison" and "Something in Your Eyes" by R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe.

Zingas and Kolesnik, who won the ISU Four Continents Championships in late January, flew through their elements in perfect unison, gaining Level 4s for their sequential twizzles and rotational lift. The judges rewarded the up-and-coming stars with 83.53 points, more than three points better than their previous personal international best.  

"I've never been so peaceful with myself than at this competition," Kolesnik said. "I don't know even how to explain this. I know it's an Olympic stage and for many people, this is the moment of their lives. I just thought of it as a test run for our next eight years, because this is just the beginning for us and we're going to reach higher goals. So, I wanted to have a good experience, and I couldn't ask for more."

Performing a slinky routine to a La Bouche's "Sweet Dreams" and "100% Pure Love" by Crystal Waters, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko gained their highest score of the season with a routine highlighted by their opening Level 4 rotational lift as well as smooth, fast twizzles. The U.S. bronze medalists earned 78.15 points, a season's best.

"I think our approach was really good," Carreira said. "We had good energy and I think this is the best we've done it, so we are proud of what we put out today."
"This is a big stage, and we are coming in with three Worlds under our belts, but this event is so different and so new and we are just here to gain experience. I think we had a good effort today," Ponomarenko added.

Competition continues Tuesday, Feb. 10 with the men's short program before the ice dance event concludes on Wednesday, Feb. 11 with the free dance.

For full results and to follow Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games, including the full schedule, bios, news and more, visit the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Competition Central.