Canadian ice dancers Piper Gilles, Paul Poirier lead at Four Continents

Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier hold a one-point lead over reigning ice dance world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates at this year's Four Continents event following the rhythm dance on Thursday in Seoul, South Korea.

Skating to a medley of music that included "Rock Around the Clock" and "Stayin' Alive," the American team of Chock and Bates produced an energetic routine that received 86.21 points to temporarily move into first place.

But defending champions Gilles and Poirier, the last skaters to take the ice, scored 87.22 points for their upbeat routine to a medley of surf music.

Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, also of Canada, finished third with 82.86.

WATCH | Defending champs Gilles, Poirier lead after rhythm dance:

Defending champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier lead after rhythm dance at Four Continents

Chock and Bates missed the Four Continents last year and were aiming for their fourth title in the competition. The married couple won the event in 2019, 2020 and 2023.

The Americans are using the meet in South Korea as an important stepping stone ahead of the March 25-30 world championships in Boston.

"It's a very important competition, not only because many top skaters participate, but also because it's our last competition before worlds," Chock said. "It's a good opportunity to show the training that's been put in during the middle part of the season."

WATCH | Lajoie, Lagha dance to a new personal best:

Canadians Lajoie and Lagha dance to a new personal best to sit in 3rd at Four Continents

The ice dance event wraps up on Saturday with the free dance.

In the pairs short program, 2023 world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan were first with 74.73 points.

Ellie Kam and Danny