Chock and Bates win record-setting seventh U.S. Figure Skating title and set sights on Olympic gold

Madison Chock and Evan Bates captured a seventh U.S. ice dance title in St. Louis with a season-best free skate, and they say they will carry momentum into the Milan Cortina Olympics. Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik placed second and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko third.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their seventh U.S. ice dance title Saturday in St. Louis, delivering a season-best free skate in what was their final competition before the Milan Cortina Olympics. Their program had a flamenco feel and used a version of "Paint It Black" featured in the series Westworld. Bates described the result as momentum to carry into the Games. Several other American couples produced strong programs and standing ovations during the event. Key results: - Madison Chock and Evan Bates finished first with 228.87 points and a season-best free skate. - Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik placed second with 213.65 points. - Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko took third with 206.95 points. - Siblings Oona Brown and Gage Brown earned the first standing ovation of the night for a program set to selections from the film "The Godfather." - Chock and Bates have multiple recent world and Grand Prix Final titles and have been near the top at recent Olympics, and this was their record-setting seventh U.S. championship. Summary: The result reinforces Chock and Bates's position at the top of U.S. ice dance as they head into the Milan Cortina Olympics, and they say they plan to carry this momentum into the Games. The podium finishes by Zingas/Kolesnik and Carreira/Ponomarenko make them likely choices to join the U.S. Olympic squad, according to the article.