Skip to content
Home News 2011 WU Medallists Top ISU WC Synchronized Skating

2011 WU Medallists Top ISU WC Synchronized Skating

FISU 11 April 2011

Golden Team Rockettes

 

HELSINKI 21 teams from 16 ISU Member Associations participated in the 12th ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Helsinki. For the second year running, Team Finland 1 and Team Finland 2 took gold and silver respectively with Team USA 1 grabbing the bronze.

Both Finnish teams are no strangers to the FISU Family as they won the gold (Rockettes) and silver (Marigold Ice) respectively at the 2011 Winter Universiade in Erzurum. Russian Team Paradise, the bronze medallist of the WU ended 7th and the Swedish Team Surprise, yet another WU participant ended 4th at the WC in Helsinki.  

The teams skated in an arena full of spectators creating a unique and friendly atmosphere. The reigning world champions, Team Finland 1 got off to a good start in their home country after having skated a powerful performance in their “Carnival of Brazil” Short Program and earning the highest points of 74.81. Team Finland 2 flawlessly performed to “Be Italian” and scored 73.54 points just 1.27 behind the leaders.

Team USA 1 presented a rhythmic and playful Short Program to the music of “Twilight” and was awarded 71.16 points earning themselves the third place. Team Canada 1’s classical Short Program, with music from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Astor Piazzolla, was executed smoothly and they placed fourth with 70.77 points. Team Sweden 1 skated powerfully to “Apologize” by One Republic earning themselves the fifth place with 68.14 points.

The top five teams in the short program all skated one of their best skates of the season making the points close and the competition wide open with a span of just over four points between the number 1 and number 4.

Team Finland 1 skated a strong free skating program, and despite a fall which led to a deduction, they received the highest score for their interpretation to “Heaven or Hell” with a total of 215.43 points. Team Finland 2 gave a good run for Finland 1’s money with their performance to “The Pirate Queen”. They also got a deduction for a late start and received a total score of 213.48. Later at the press conference both teams agreed that the cheers from their home crowd helped them with their performance.

Although Team Sweden 1 made some minor mistakes in the circle element and movement in isolation they placed third in the Free Program with their Circus themed performance. However the total score of 204.50 was not enough to make the podium. Instead Team USA 1 got the bronze.

 

(Source: Selina Vanier, ISU Communications Coordinator)