Recap

Thrilling free programs at the World Junior Championships


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Team Fintastic from Finland presented a clean program on Saturday, which allowed them to keep their title. (Credits: Ville Vairinen - 2023) 

It took until the very last minutes to find out who would be crowned 2023 World Junior Champion! The free program competition fulfilled all its promises on Saturday night in Angers, France. We tell you everything!

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To ensure a medal, the teams had to present a perfect free skate. Between Friday night and Saturday night, the podium changed! 

Indeed, Team Fintastic (FIN), the reigning world champion, skated their free program "Human - The world within" without any major mistakes. Totaling 124.54 points and 191.72 overall, it was a great score but no one knew if it would be enough to stay in the lead.

The last minutes of the competition were decisive
It was only at the end of the competition, after the last team, Les Suprêmes Juniors, who were in the lead after the short programs, that the verdict fell. With 5 falls (four in the first intersection and one in the second), the Quebec team could not keep their advantage. They even finished 6th in the free programs and 5th in the final event. 

The podium welcomed a new team: Nexxice Junior (CAN), who went from 4th to 2nd place thanks to a very good free program. Skyliners Juniors from the USA dropped to 3rd place after a rather well-executed emotional performance (just a fall in the No Hold Element). 


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Skyliners Junior won the bronze medal. (Credits: Ice Galaxy - 2023)

Dream Edges, the other Finnish team, went from 5th place to 4th thanks to their program "Well Oiled Machine". Lexettes (USA) maintained their 6th place after an energetic performance, and Hot Shivers (ITA) performed a clean program, which made them jump for joy on the Kiss&Cry. The Italians are 7th, their best result at the Worlds. 

To complete the top 10, the Polish team Ice Fire also achieved their best performance at the Worlds as they finished 8th for the first time in history. Team Spirit from Sweden presented "Dreams" and finished 9th. Finally, the Swiss team Cool Dreams skated a good free program with nice formations. However, it was not enough to maintain their rank in the short program. They finished 10th.  

Czech Republic finished 11th
The scores were very close after the short program. Every little mistake cost the teams precious points. 

The Harmonia team from Prague in the Czech Republic skated their free program to Grease with brio. They were able to move up one place in the ranking, finishing 11th just ahead of Jingu Ice Messengers (JPN), who skated a very musical program to Pocahontas. 

With two falls at the beginning of the program and a 3rd in the No Hold Element, Team Seaside did not have the free program they were hoping for. However, the Swedish team skated with energy, obtaining 121.56 points on Saturday, which means 13th place. Team Berlin Junior from Germany is ranked 14th.


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Team Seaside in their free program. (Credits: Ice Galaxy - 2023)

Solway Stars (GBR) skated a good free program totaling 108.99 points. The team, which seems to have good chemistry, presented an interesting creative lift at the beginning of the program. Team Mirum from Spain skated to "Paramour" by Cirque du Soleil in pink dresses. Despite a fall, the team obtained 68.70 (total: 108.22), which means 16th place, ahead of the Austrians Colibris Vienna.

The scores are still very close between Team UTE, the Hungarian team, which was able to move up in the ranking thanks to their program to "Moulin Rouge" and Team Illuminettes (NED), who skated their free program to the TV series "Good Omens". On the ice, their costume had an angel side and a demon side. The French Black Diam's finished with a very close score. These three teams have 0.1 point difference!

Representing Australia, Majestic Ice suffered a one-point deduction for its program to Top Gun. Nevertheless, the Sydney team finished 21st, in front of Team Zagreb Snowflakes from Croatia and Team Vizyon from Turkey.

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Results - TOP 3

ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2023
Angers (FRA)
MAR 10, 2023 - MAR 11, 2023

Junior
TEAM Score
1Team Fintastic (FIN)191.72
2Nexxice (CAN)188.65
3Skyliners (USA)186.63