The 9th ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships concluded in Budapest (HUN) 30th March after two days of competition.
The short program proved exciting. Team Surprise took the lead after the short program with a total segment score of 74.72 points (Sweden 1) although the coach Andrea Dohany told the media “ it´s possible to do better”. Rockettes (Finland 1) performed to Ave Maria by Celine Dion and were in 2nd place after the short program with 72.55 points. Marigold IceUnity (Finland 2) executed a modern interpretation of Carmen showing the essence of synchronized skating with clean skating, straight lines, strong choreography and expression. Marigold IceUnity, received 70.87 points which gave them the 3d position after the short program, just 0.20 points ahead of Nexxice (Canada 1) who had a bit of a struggle in the no hold block but overall gave a good performance. Paradise (Russia 1) who were second in the short program in 2007 in Canada, this year took 8th position after the short program. The American teams were in 6th and 7th position after the short program. Newcomers the Serbian team Mladost Ice Clubs said “The audience was excellent, they really supported us” after they had preformed their short program.
Free Skating
Rockettes (Finland 1) preformed the free skating to a tune from Tony Bennett. The program was carried out faultlessly and with energy. They earned 137.93 points in the free giving them a total of 210.48 points. For the first time Rockettes won the gold medal and were delighted. In Prague 2006 they had won the bronze: “It´s our own little world, to be on the ice at the world scene with all your fans, performing with your teammates, it´s great!” said the team captain Taija Romppanen at the press conference after the medal ceremony. Rockettes were unable to perform at the last World Championships as Finnish teams Marigold IceUnity and Team Unique qualified ahead of them.
Team Surprise (Sweden 1) skated to the music of Bonnie Tyler giving an energetic act with first class skating and interpretation and received the highest performance score for the day, 68.79 points. The technical score was 62.20 points for Team Surprise, giving them 130.99 in the free skating and a total of 205.71 points. This proved sufficient to given them the silver medal.
Nexxice (Canada 1) skated a good program and the score for the free skating was 128.14 and they received a total of 198.81 defending their bronze medal from last year’s championships.
Team USA 1 performed the free skating joyfully and earned 5thoverall. Team Finland 2 skated a well balanced program to Aida, earning 127.16 points giving them a total of 198.03 points and 4th place.
