Ice dancers Gilles, Poirier 'put best foot forward' to earn world bronze

Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier captured bronze at the world figure skating championships on Saturday in Saitama, Japan.

Gilles, of Toronto, and Poirier, of Unionville, Ont., were third after the rhythm dance and scored a total of 217.88 points following the free dance.

"We just wanted to put our best foot forward and enjoy every last step of this program," said Gilles, the current Grand Prix Final champion and 2021 world bronze medallist alongside Poirier. "We've enjoyed doing it every time we've gone out there, so performing it on the stage after being gone for a few months was so rewarding."

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States won gold for their first ice dance title.

First after the rhythm dance, Chock and Bates finished first in the free dance at Saitama Super Arena with 134.07 points for a total of 226.1.

Reigning European Champions Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy were second with 219.85 points.

Chock fell once but it was not on a required element.

"We had to dig very, very deep many times, but I know we would not be sitting here without all this experience," Chock said, adding the fall came as a shock to her. "I just caught my heel on the ice and it was so surprising."

WATCH | Gilles, Poirier win bronze in ice dance at worlds:

Chock and Bates, the three-time Four Continents champions, have been together for 12 years.

They won the silver medal at the 2015 world championships in Shanghai, bronze in Boston in 2016 and bronze last year in Montpellier.

They have also competed at six Grand Prix Finals, winning four medals — all silver.

WATCH | U.S. ice dance duo Chock, Bates top worlds podium:

"We've been pursuing this goal for so many years," Bates said. "It was exciting and stressful all at the same time. I know that the ice dance field is very competitive. We've competed against all these teams for so many years.