The 2025 Grand Prix Cup of China kicked off with a bang, as ice dance powerhouses Madison Chock and Evan Bates once again claimed the top spot in the rhythm dance. But here's where it gets controversial: their winning performance, set to a medley of Lenny Kravitz hits, has sparked debate among fans and critics alike. Is their rock-and-roll vibe a refreshing change or a departure from traditional ice dance elegance? You decide.
Chock and Bates, skating with their signature synergy, earned an impressive 84.44 points, continuing their dominance in the sport. According to Evan Bates, their choice of music was intentional: “We wanted to do something more mature and more kind of rock and roll, and Lenny Kravitz is just so eclectic and he’s got all sorts of music.” Despite tweaking their program throughout the summer, they stayed true to the Kravitz theme, ultimately creating a performance they describe as mature and connected.
Trailing closely behind were fellow Americans Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, who delivered a career-best performance with 80.43 points. This marked the first time they’ve broken the 80-point barrier in rhythm dance, a testament to their hard work. Zingas admitted to pre-performance jitters, saying, “I was really nervous before we started... But once we took our beginning pose, I forgot about everything and I just skated.” Kolesnik added, “Today we skated for each other and for ourselves... For the first time, I feel like I don’t really care about the score. All I wanted to do is just to come here and enjoy all the work I’ve done.” Interestingly, the duo had to improvise with their costumes, with Zingas altering an old shirt and Kolesnik recycling costume pants—a reminder that even top athletes face unexpected challenges.
France’s Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud rounded out the top three with 77.62 points, showcasing a dynamic Daft Punk program. Meanwhile, one of the biggest surprises of the day came from Spain’s Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck, who were expected to contend for the top but finished sixth after a costly fall by Smart. “It’s still early in the season, and the mistake happened right after a turn today,” Dieck explained. “But it’s another day to learn.” And this is the part most people miss: even the best skaters have off days, and it’s how they recover that truly defines their season.
As the competition heats up, one thing is clear: the 2025 Grand Prix season is shaping up to be a battle of innovation, resilience, and raw talent. What do you think? Is Chock and Bates’ rock-and-roll approach a game-changer, or does ice dance need to stick to its classical roots? Let us know in the comments below!
