Three-time and reigning ISU World Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) rocked the Rhythm Dance as the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China kicked off Friday in Chongqing. The Cup of China is the second event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2025/26.  

ISU World Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) lead the Ice Dance

Favorites Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) sparkled in the Rhythm Dance to take the lead ahead of teammates Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolsenik and France’s Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud. 

Chock/Bates had opted for Lenny Kravitz for the 90s theme of this season’s Rhythm Dance. The husband-and-wife team impressed with their excellent twizzles, smooth steps and rotational lift, scoring 84.44 points. 

“It was a great way to perform our Rhythm Dance and kick off our season,” Chock noted. “There is always a little bit of stress and pressure. We had some moments we had to work through but we are happy with how we performed and debuted our program.”

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) in the Rhythm Dance at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Zingas/Kolesnik’s dance to “Poison” and “Something In Your Eyes” featured difficult twizzles, a rotational lift and intricate footwork. The U.S. couple were excited to achieve a new personal best of 80.43 points. 

“We were really elated,” Zingas said of their score. “We’ve worked really hard. It’s a big year and we feel happy with the way we skated, we just enjoyed it and we didn’t think about the score too much. We just thought about enjoying skating with each other and for each other.” 

Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik (USA) finished second in the Rhythm Dance at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Lopareva/Brissaud had picked yet another style with “Blue” by Daft Punk and entertained the crowd with their performance. The 2025 ISU European silver medalists set a season’s best of 77.62 points.

“We wanted to find something different and we had the idea to use Daft Punk. It’s fun,” Brissaud said. 

“We’ve been working the last two weeks a lot on our connection and being grounded on the ice,” Lopareva explained. “We achieved it today and we are really happy with what we did.” 

Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA) in the Rhythm Dance at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) came fourth with 74.32 points followed by Hannah Lim/Ye Quan (KOR) on 73.68 points. Olivia Smart/Tim Dieck (ESP) are currently ranked sixth on 67.37 points after a slip in the pattern type step sequence. 

ISU Grand Prix Cup of China schedule:

Friday, October 24: Rhythm Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Short Programs
 Saturday, October 25: Free Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Free Skating
 Sunday, October 26: Exhibition Gala

ISU Grand Prix Standings

Check out who is on their way to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final:

Men                               Women                    Pairs                      Ice Dance

For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.

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