Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their fourth Skate America title as the new ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating season got underway in Allen ©ISU

World ice dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their fourth Skate America title as the International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating season got underway in Allen. 

The American pair clinched a home victory at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex - ending on 212.96 points after performing to music from iconic Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon.

Four Continents winners Chock and Bates chose the music to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous record.

"We loved the music, but we knew we wanted to tell a story with it," said Bates.

Chock and Bates defended their title from 2022 and also won it in 2014 and 2015.

"The first Skate America title in 2014 really seems like a lifetime ago," Chock said. 

"We've certainly come a long way and experienced a lot through this sport. 

"I'm so happy to have been on this whole journey with Evan."

Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha of Canada won their first Grand Prix silver medal on 196.99 points, while France’s Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud collected bronze on 193.47.

Loena Hendrickx of Belgium claimed her second Grand Prix title in the women's event ©ISU
Loena Hendrickx of Belgium claimed her second Grand Prix title in the women's event ©ISU

In the women's event, two-time world medallist Loena Hendrickx of Belgium claimed her second Grand Prix title on 221.28 points.

She sealed the win in the free skate with five clean triple jumps.

"Of course it means a lot for me," the 23-year-old World Championships silver and bronze medallist said.

I had a tough preparation coming into this event. 

"I just wanted to enjoy and I did."

Isabeau Levito of the US won the silver medal points on 208.15 and bronze went to Niina Petrõkina of Estonia on 194.55.

Ilia Malinin was another home winner for the US as he clinched a second Skate America title in the men's event.

He defended his title on a score of 310.47 points for a huge win as the 18-year world bronze medallist reeled off a triple Axel, quad Lutz, quad Salchow, quad Lutz-Euler-triple Salchow and a quad toe-triple toe in the free skate, as well as a triple Lutz-triple Axel sequence.

"I was really not expecting this outcome, I'm still speechless," Malinin said after his personal best performance.

Kévin Aymoz of France won silver on 279.09 points and Japan's Shun Sato took bronze on 247.50.

Ilia Malinin was another home winner in the men's event ©ISU
Ilia Malinin was another home winner in the men's event ©ISU

In the pairs, Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel of Germany skated to their first Grand Prix victory.

They missed a triple Salchow in the free skate but recovered with a throw triple flip and loop, as well as difficult level-four lifts, to end on 184.23 points.

Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud of Canada won silver on 182.59 points and bronze went to Chelsea Liu and Balázs Nagy of the US on 177.66. 

"It's a huge thing if you take a step back and look at it that we have won a Grand Prix," said Hocke. 

"It's like everything we ever dreamed of. 

"So in the end, it's a huge accomplishment for us."

The next ISU Grand Prix, the Skate Canada International, is due to start in Vancouver on Friday (October 27) and conclude on Sunday (October 29).