Madison Chock and Evan Bates claimed silver in a stunning Milano ice dance upset. France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron seized gold with a razor-thin 1.43-point margin. The American trio-time world champions were denied their elusive individual Olympic title on February 11, 2026.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Gold Score: France’s Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron finished with 225.82 points
- Silver Score: Chock and Bates earned 224.39 total points
- Margin: Just 1.43 points separated first and second place
- Historic Upset: France’s new duo’s first Olympic Games together as partners
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Chock and Bates arrived in Milano as the reigning world champions and strong gold medal favorites. The married couple, both American skating legends, finished second in both the rhythm dance and free dance segments. Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron delivered two powerful programs to edge out the competition.
The 1.43-point gap marks one of the tightest Olympic ice dance finishes in recent history. Bates and Chock have now won gold as a couple in team events but fell just short of individual glory.
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For Guillaume Cizeron, this victory marks a remarkable second Olympics with a new partner. He was an Olympic champion at Beijing 2022 with a different skater. Laurence Fournier Beaudry, a Canadian-French skater, has achieved an extraordinary ascent to the sport’s pinnacle in barely over a year.
The French duo followed consistent season momentum into Friday’s free dance. Their emotional, technically complex program earned them 225.82 points total. Fournier Beaudry’s technical precision and Cizeron’s Olympic experience proved the winning combination.
Complete Milano Ice Dance Podium and Results
Three nations earned medals in the women’s ice dance individual competition. Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier captured bronze with 217.74 points. The Canadian twosome, two-time world silver medalists, finally secured long-awaited Olympic hardware after three Games together.
| Position | Team | Country | Total Score |
| Gold | Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron | France | 225.82 |
| Silver | Chock/Bates | USA | 224.39 |
| Bronze | Gilles/Poirier | Canada | 217.74 |
Italy’s Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri finished 4th overall with 209.58 points. The home crowd in Milan supported the four-time Olympians, though they narrowly missed the podium. USA’s Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, first-time Olympians, secured 5th with 206.72 points.
“France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron skated an emotional, complex, free dance with complete commitment and power.”
— NBC Olympics Coverage
Chock and Bates’ Legendary Career and Olympic Legacy
Madison Chock and Evan Bates have dominated ice dance for a decade. The married couple, tied together on skates since 2011, captured the top spot at three consecutive world championships. Their trademark blend of power, edge quality, and performance depth has made them perennial medal contenders.
The pair earned two Olympic team event gold medals previously and competed at their ninth combined Olympic Games together. While the individual crown eluded them Friday, their competitive resilience and artistry continue inspiring audiences worldwide. This remained their highest individual Olympic finish.
What Does This Upset Mean for Ice Dance at the Olympics?
The Milano result signals a shift in ice dance’s competitive landscape. Judging decisions surrounding rhythm dance scoring sparked conversation among figure skating experts. Fournier Beaudry’s rapid partnership ascent proves that elite technical execution and emotional connection can defeat established Olympic champions in the sport’s most prestigious event.
Will Chock and Bates return for another Olympic cycle to pursue their individual gold medal dream? The Milano Games may mark a turning point for American ice dance dominance. France has emerged as a new power in the discipline, with Cizeron bringing Olympic experience and Fournier Beaudry bringing technical innovation to modern ice dance choreography.
Sources
- NBC Olympics: Official coverage of ice dance free dance and medal results
- Forbes Sports: Olympic ice dance results and final scoring analysis
- People Magazine: Madison Chock and Evan Bates medal report
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.