The World Synchronized Skating Champions 2016 are known ! Team Paradise (Russia 1) took the gold medal for the 1st time in history. Rockettes (Finland 2) won the silver medal, and the American Haydenettes (USA 1) create a surprise with their punchy free program. They finished with the bronze medal.

Syma Hall Arena in Budapest was quite full on Saturday evening. Thousands of spectators from around the world came in the Hungarian capital to sing, applause and support their favorite team or country. That’s true, the competition was intense. After the short programs, there were only six points to separate the 1st to the 6th team. Everything was possible. 

A historical moment

For a few months now, Team Paradise is going from success to success and become World Champions was one of their goals. The team of Irina Yakovleva did it ! For the first time in history, Russia became World Champions in synchronized skating. Team Paradise, who was already ahead after the short program, confirmed their advantage in the free with an interpretation of Carmen by Bizet. The girls from St. Petersburg took the gold medal with 212,69 points.

Some great surprises and a few disappointments...

Budapest is maybe the synonym of « luck » for the Rockettes. The team from Helsinki, who skated as « Finland 2 », won a place on the podium. The Finnish team was 3rd after the short. But due to an intense free program on the theme « Rockets Journey to the Moon », the skaters charmed the public and the judges. The Finnish vice-champions 2016 placed 2nd at the end of these Worlds with a total score of 207,84 points.

The pleasant surprise of the day was for the Haydenettes. The American did the best score of the competition in the free (138,86 points). They skated an energetic and expressive program named « Street beats ». A great success for the team of Saga Krantz, who was 7th last year at the last Worlds in Canada.

However, it’s a big disappointment for Team Unique (Finland 1). The Finnish champions 2016, who was 2nd after the short, just missed the podium. The girls of Mirjami Pentinnen didn’t have the chance to win a gold medal, as they did three years ago. Team Unique finished 4th, 0.30 point from the podium !

Hard battles

These Worlds 2016 presented some interesting battles. A few teams finished this competition with less than 1 point difference.

Such is the case, for example, between France and Germany. After the short program, Les Zoulous from France were 13th, behind Germany and Italy. But after a clean free program on Grease’s music, the rankings reversed. The French team finished the competition in the 11th place with 156,62 points. Behind us, the German Team Berlin : one fall and they are 12th, 0.40 points from the French (156,22 points).

Another exciting battle : Japan VS Hungary ! This may sound crazy but that’s real, these two teams were tied after the short program with 44,13 points. Jingu Ice Messengers made the difference in the free with a surprising program on The Beauty & The Beast (score total : 103,50 points). However, this difference is tiny because the local Team Passion finished just behind them : 0,46 points ! The Hungarian team presented also a great free program on the Spice Girls theme.

Welcome Netherlands !

These World Championships 2016 added a new country. The Netherlands participated for the 1st year at the competition. Team Ice United skaters made their first steps in front of an incredible group of supporters. Drums, orange flags, and even a Dutch Lion put a great atmosphere in the Sympa Hall Arena.