Only one ice dance team has ever won six US National titles, and this week, Madison Chock/Evan Bates can tie Meryl Davis/Charlie White for that record. It’s the tenth anniversary of Chock/Bates’ first title back in Greensboro in 2015. Will anyone be able to challenge them for that gold medal in Wichita? The fight for the podium is going to be exciting, with a number of teams who are very evenly matched.
US Nationals predictions
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GOLD Madison Chock/Evan Bates - Looking for a fourth title in a row and sixth overall, Chock/Bates have been very strong this season, with the exception of an errant fall in the rhythm dance at Skate America to start their season. But they come into Nationals on the heels of a convincing win at Grand Prix Final, and will be very much favored for gold here.
SILVER Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko - There are competitions in a skater’s career that were clear cusps in their trajectory, and last year’s Nationals was just that for Carreira/Ponomarenko. They won the free dance here last year and have set themselves up for some of the best skating and best results of their career.
BRONZE Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville - The surprise bronze medalists last year return to capture some of that magic. They had a rocky Skate Canada where a few mistakes dropped them to ninth, but came back a week later to win bronze at Grand Prix France. They have another great look at the podium, aiming for a return to Worlds.
4. Caroline Green/Michael Parsons - After last year’s injuries and disappointments, Green/Parsons have looked refreshed this season with their skating and their material. If they can continue to bring that assertive skating this week, a top three and a berth to Worlds is very much within their grasp.
5. Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik - Fourth two years ago and sixth last year, Zingas/Kolesnik continue to grow as a team and in their maturity. But they have had trouble putting together clean skates, and will need that if they are to get on the podium this week.
6. Oona Brown/Gage Brown - Last year’s eighth place was a disappointment for Brown/Brown, who really never felt comfortable at Nationals there. But they enter this competition with some very strong skates this season, including a win at Santa Claus Cup last month.
7. Eva Pate/Logan Bye - It’s been a season for Pate/Bye where they haven’t really felt comfortable with their free dance, and they’ve gone back to last year’s free dance in hopes of reigniting some of that energy.
8. Katarina Wolfkostin/Dmitriy Tsarevski - Fresh off silver at the Junior Grand Prix Final, Wolfkostin/Tsarevski were ninth here last year, and they will be back on senior ice for the first time since that competition.
9. Annabelle Morozov/Jeffrey Chen - A new team this season, Morozov/Chen are both seasoned ice dancers who bring different experiences to the table. They have had a solid debut year, winning silver at Lombardia Trophy and taking ninth at Skate America.
10. Leah Neset/Artem Markelov - The World junior champions make their first appearance on the senior level at Nationals after winning a record three junior titles the past three seasons.