Americans Chock, Bates take ice dance gold over Canada's Lajoie, Lagha at Skate America

Madison Chock and Evan Bates used their win at Skate America last year as a springboard to their first world championship.

Perhaps their victory Sunday will be a springboard to the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

The American ice dancers, who have yet to commit to continuing their careers all the way to the next Winter Games in Italy, proved they nevertheless remain among the best in the world. Chock and Bates scored 212.96 points at the opening event of the Grand Prix season, easily winning their fourth Skate America title at Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas.

Their score was more than 10 points ahead of their total last season, and given the way scores tend to climb through the season as programs get refined, there is a good chance Chock and Bates could break their own world record at some point.

WATCH Chock, Bates stun at Skate America ice dance competition:

"Skate America is a very special Grand Prix for us, mainly because it's a chance to skate in front of a home audience which is very special and fun," Chock said after their free skate, set to music from Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon."

"Our parents are in the audience," she added. "It's great to be able to look out and see them."

Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Saint-Hubert, Que., the Canadian silver medallists, finished second with 196.99 points for their best finish at a Grand Prix event. Their program was highlighted by a soaring rotational lift just as their music hit a crescendo.

WATCH | Lajoie, Lagha earn silver:

French national champions Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud finished third with 193.47 points.

"We're very, very, very happy," Lagha said. "We were both very nervous before but when