ISU

 

#FigureSkating #UpAgain

Team Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) perform during the 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Canada.© Danielle Earl Photography

The Helsinki Rockettes of Finland skated to a narrow lead in the Short Program as the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships kicked off in Hamilton (CAN) Friday.

Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) edge two Canadian teams for lead

The Helsinki Rockettes of Finland edged Canada’s Les Supremes for the lead in the Short Program at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton (CAN). Team Nexxice, also from Canada, is currently ranked third.

Performing to “Femme Fatale”, the Helsinki Rockettes picked up a level four for the Pivoting Block, Travelling Circle, Intersection and No Hold Element/Step Sequence while the Move Element was rated a level three. The 2020 ISU World bronze medalists scored 82.76 points.

Team Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) perform during the 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Canada.© ISU

“We were a bit nervous but I think we did a great job and quite a solid performance just how we practiced it,” Team Captain Nona Vihma said.  “We’ve been super lucky that we had the opportunity to practice almost during the whole pandemic, but I think we have really taken advantage of the time to spend on the basic skating skills. It was quite a long time just to work on those things but I think it has paid off.”

For all teams it meant a lot to be able to perform in front of a big crowd again. “It felt amazing, we have been waiting for this for so long and we enjoyed every second on the ice today,” Vihma explained

Les Supremes earned a level four for the Travelling Circle, Pivoting Block and No Hold Element in their performance to “Here I Am (Singing My Way)” and “Think” to score 81.51 points.

Team Les Supremes (CAN) perform during the 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Canada.© Danielle Earl Photography

“We felt super good on the ice, we were very excited to be here today and we skated like we always do in practice. It felt super good to be in front of a home crowd, we enjoyed every moment on the ice,” Team Captain Laurie Desilets commented. “For us the past two years have been quite challenging with all the lockdowns in Canada. We stayed super focused, we kept our calm and we worked very hard via Zoom on our off ice training and this is actually our second competition this year. We are very grateful to be here,” she added.

Team Les Supremes (CAN) perform during the 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Canada.© ISU

Nexxice opened their program to “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain with a level-three Pivoting Block and followed up with a level-four Travelling Circle. The multiple ISU World medalists collected a level four for the No Hold Element as well and netted 77.65 points.

Team Nexxice (CAN) perform during the 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Canada.© ISU

“It felt like home, we’re very proud of what we laid out today and it was very exciting to skate,” Team Captain Emma Daigle told the press conference. “Honestly it was very magical to see all those maple leafs out there, the red and white sea. We are going to refocus for tomorrow and go on and do the same thing we did today.” 

Team Nexxice (CAN) perform during the 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Canada.© Danielle Earl Photography

Hot favorites and five-time World Champions Marigold Ice Unity (FIN) came fourth on 77.48 points after losing some points when their Pivoting Block was rated a level two. Team Miami University (USA) is currently ranked fifth on 71.77 points followed by The Haydenettes (USA) with 68.70 points.

The Short Program consists of five required elements: Intersection Element, Move Element, No Hold Element, Pivoting Element – Block, Traveling Element - Circle. The Short Program is maximum 2 min 50 seconds in length.

A total of 23 teams representing 19 ISU members competed in the Short Program. The ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships have been held since 2000 and Hamilton has hosted the event in 2015 before. The Championships were cancelled in 2020 and 2021.  

The event is live streamed. Follow the event on social media using the hashtag: #WorldSynchro

 

Event Schedule

The schedule of the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2022 is as follows:

Saturday, April 9:                     Free Skating

 

* Following the IOC recommendation, in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q) i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in international ice skating Competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events (Full Statement to be read on ISU website).