The ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2016 concluded in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday with the Free Skating.
Russia’s Team Paradise skates to gold
Team Russia 1 (Paradise) skated to the gold medal, winning the first World title for Russia in Synchronized Skating. Finland 2 (The Rockettes) moved up one spot to take the silver and Team USA 1 (Haydenettes) captured the bronze medal.
Team Paradise put out a strong performance to “Carmen” that was highlighted by their precise footwork, pivoting line and travelling circle. Six elements garnered a level four. The skaters from St. Petersburg were ranked second in the Free Skating with 138.83 points, but remained in first place overall with 212.69 points. One year ago the team had claimed the bronze, Russia’s first medal at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.
Skating to futuristic music by Ivan Torrent, The Rockettes showed a difficult block, line and group lift and picked up a level four for six elements as well to score 137.81 points. The Finns placed third in the Free Skating like in the Short Program, but moved up to second place at 207.84 points total.
The Haydenettes delivered a dynamic performance to the “Street Dance 2” soundtrack, collecting a level four for six elements and a level three for the two intersection elements. The Americans won the Free Skating portion with 138.86 points and pulled up from fourth place to reach the podium with 206.95 points.
Team Finland 1 (Team Unique) slipped from second to fourth place (206.65 points). Canada 1 (Les Supremes) remained in fifth place (201.07 points) and Team Sweden 1 (the multiple World Champions Team Surprise) came sixth (197.58 points). The defending World Champions, Canada 2 (Nexxice) finished seventh (196.06 points).
The Free Skating Program contains seven required elements (group lift, two different intersection elements, moves, no hold element, pivoting element, block and travelling element wheel) plus three elements that can be chosen from three different groups.
26 teams from 21 ISU members competed at the ISU World Synchronized Championship 2016.
Finland has claimed a total of 21 medals in the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championship now, including eight gold medals. Sweden ranks second with 11 medals (six gold), while Canada has eleven medals (two gold) and the USA collected six medals since the inaugural World Championships in 2000. Russia now has two medals including one gold. The ISU introduced the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in 2000.