The ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2015 opened in Hamilton, Canada, Friday with the Short Program.
Canada’s Nexxice skates to the lead in Short Program
Nexxice (Team Canada 1) skated to the lead in the Short Program, followed by Marigold Ice Unity (Finland 1) and Sweden’s Team Surprise.
Skating to “MUD” by The Road Hammers and cheered on by an enthusiastic home crowd, “Nexxice” earned a level four for the Pivoting Line and the No Hold Element, while the Travelling Circle, the Intersection and the Moves Element merited a level three. The 2014 World silver medallists from Canada earned 71.06 points.
The defending champions Marigold Ice Unity (Finland 1) were edged out by less than one point by the Canadians for the lead. Their program to “Miss Saigon” was highlighted by a level four Pivoting Line and a level-three Travelling Circle. The Finns scored 70.39 points.
Team Surprise (Sweden 1) produced three level-four elements and had the highest element score in their routine named “Technologic” to pick up 69.94 points.
A lot still can happen in the Free Skating with the teams placed fourth to sixth not far behind. Team Finland 2 (The Rockettes) remain close to the podium in fourth place at 69.11 points, followed by Russia 1 (Team Paradise) with 66.25 points. Team USA 1 (Haydenettes) are currently sitting in sixth with 65.61 points.
25 teams from 20 ISU members are competing at the ISU World Synchronized Championship 2015. A team consists of 16 skaters (plus up to four alternates). The Short Program consists of five required elements: pivoting element, traveling element, intersection, moves and no hold element (executed in a block configuration including a step sequence feature).
Canada hosts the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships for the third time. The ISU introduced the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in 2000.
Finland, Sweden, Canada and the USA are the leading ISU members in Synchronized Skating. Finland has claimed a total of 19 medals in the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championship so far, including eight gold medals. Sweden ranks second with 11 medals (six gold), while Canada has ten medals (one gold) and the USA collected five medals since the inaugural World Championships in 2000.
The ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships conclude Saturday with the Free Skating. For more information, full entry lists and results please see: www.isu.org and http://www.skatecanada.ca/event/isu-world-synchronized-skating-championships-2015/.