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#SynchroSkating

 

Les Supremes Junior (CAN), Fintastic Junior (FIN) and Team Skyliners Junior (USA) pose during the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2024 in Neuchatel (SUI). @ISU

Les Suprêmes Junior skated the first gold medal for Canada at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships Saturday in Neuchâtel (SUI). A total of 24 teams with 543 Skaters representing 20 ISU Members competed in the Championships. It was the ninth edition of the event that started in 2013.

 Les Suprêmes (CAN) shine golden in Switzerland

Canada’s Les Suprêmes Junior made a little bit of history by claiming the first ISU World Junior Synchronized title in Neuchâtel, following in the footsteps of the senior-level Les Suprêmes, the reigning ISU World Synchronized Champions. Three-time and defending champions Fintastic of Finland settled for the silver medal this time and the Skyliners Junior (USA) collected the bronze, their fifth medal at the event.

Les Suprêmes Junior took the lead in the Short Program with a confident performance to “Hide and Seek”, “Ready or Not Here I Come” and “Mind Heist” with over three points to spare (74.01 points). The Canadians built on their lead with their flawless Free Skating set to “Genius”, “Einstein”, “Noble Worlds and Deeds” and “Theory of Light”, telling the story of Albert Einstein. They had Einstein’s formulas printed on their costumes to reflect their theme.

Les Supremes Junior (CAN) compete during the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2024 in Neuchâtel (SUI). @ISU

Les Suprêmes Junior picked up a level four for six elements including the Linear Line, an Intersection and the Traveling Element. The Canadians earned a seasons best of 131.13 points for the Free Skating and totaled 205.14 points to win the title.

“Our expectation coming in (to this competition) was to attack our programs – that was our main goal at this competition, and this is just a dream come true for all of us. We can’t believe it,” said Gabriella Musi, co-captain for the Les Suprêmes junior team.

Co-captain Victoria Gimenez added: “We’re feeling very accomplished. We are really proud of our season, and we are proud of our two performances. It’s exactly what we wanted to do this weekend.”

Fintastic ranked second in the Short Program to “Balance of Power”, “Architect of the Mind” and the Love Theme from “Lo” at 71.89 points. The team from Helsinki put out a strong Free Skating to the “Babylon” soundtrack that was highlighted by five level-four elements to score 127.82 points, a seasons best. Overall the Finns accumulated 199.71 points to take the silver, their fourth consecutive medal at the ISU World Junior Championships following three gold medals.

Fintastic (FIN) compete during the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2024 in Neuchâtel (SUI). @ISU

“We truly enjoyed ourselves on the ice on both days and are proud to win silver, which was even over our expectations,” team captain Lotta Karvonen commented.

“We are proud and overwhelmed of the outcome! This silver medal topped off our season and we skated our hearts out. We poured our hearts into the performance and are truly happy with the silver medals,” she continued.

Fintastic (FIN) celebrate during the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2024 in Neuchâtel (SUI). @ISU

The Skyliners finished third in the Short Program set to The Firebird Suite on 70.93 points. Performing to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, the Americans looked somewhat shaky on their opening Creative Element but recovered to produce a level-four Synchronized Spin, Move Element, Line Element and Intersection. The Skyliners scored 125.75 points for the Free Skating for a total of 196.68 points. The U.S. team claimed their third consecutive medal at the event.

Skyliners Junior (USA) compete during the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2024 in Neuchâtel (SUI). @ISU

“The team is super excited winning the bronze medal. It’s a wonderful way to end the season”, team captain Madison Jarvis noted.

Team Elite Junior (USA) came fourth at 191.59 points followed by Team Valley Bay Synchro Junior (FIN) at 184.56 points. 2023 World Junior Sychnronized silver medalist Nexxice (CAN) placed sixth (183.26 points).

Originally called Precision Skating, Synchronized Skating was introduced in the 1950s. It is a highly technical form of Figure Skating characterized by speed, precisions, unison, intricate formations, synchro elements, difficult footwork, spectacular lifts and exciting transitions.

A synchronized team consists of 16 skaters (plus up to four alternates).

The ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships were originally held biennially since 2013 and are held annually since 2017. Neuchâtel hosted the event for the second time after 2019. 

For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page. The event is live streamed on the ISU Youtube Channel. Follow the event on social media using the hashtag: #SynchroSkating #FigureSkating.

 

Where to watch the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2024:

The ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.

Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.