Madison Chock And Evan Bates Deliver A Quietly Magical Finale At Milano Cortina 2026

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating exhibition gala brought two extraordinary weeks of competition to a close, blending joy, emotion, and creativity into one final celebration on the ice. While the night featured playful routines and crowd-pleasing moments, few performances felt as quietly powerful and emotionally intimate as the skate delivered by Madison Chock and Evan Bates, which seemed to pause the arena and draw everyone into their shared world.

According to Olympics.com, the gala held on 21 February featured 29 performances that showcased the sport’s full range — from high-energy rock programs to lighthearted comedic routines. As the evening unfolded, however, a softer emotional thread began to emerge. Several skaters leaned into slower, more expressive music, gradually shifting the atmosphere inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena toward something more reflective and romantic.

Among the early standout moments, pairs bronze medallists Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin captivated the crowd with their skate to HAEVN’s “Fortitude.” Their performance combined elegant lines with lifts that retained full competitive strength, reminding the audience that even in a relaxed gala setting, world-class technique and emotional storytelling can coexist seamlessly.

Still, as the program continued, it became clear that the emotional center of the night was yet to come. When Madison Chock and Evan Bates took the ice, the energy in the arena subtly shifted, as if the audience sensed they were about to witness something different — not just another routine, but a deeply personal closing chapter to their Olympic journey.

The married duo, celebrated throughout the Games for their bold, high-impact competitive programs, chose to strip everything back for the exhibition. Skating to Melody Gardot’s “Once I Was Loved,” they embraced a slower tempo and a more vulnerable tone. The result felt less like a performance for judges and more like a shared conversation, unfolding naturally with every glide.

A long white cloth played a central role in their storytelling, carefully threaded through the choreography to heighten the emotional impact. The prop acted as a visual symbol of connection and unity, reinforcing the trust between them. Their movement across the ice was deliberate and fluid, with each lift and transition unfolding softly, yet with unmistakable control and intention.

Although exhibition galas do not award medals, Chock and Bates’ skate quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about moments of the evening. In contrast to the demanding, technically dense routines that earned them Olympic silver, this final performance embraced restraint and emotional nuance, offering a quiet, resonant farewell that lingered long after the music faded.