Recap
Skate London Synchro starts the British Synchro Season in Style
![Image](images/pxl-w.jpg)
Team Zariba competed in the Senior division at Skate London Synchro. (Credits: Team Zariba - 2019)
There was a packed auditorium at the first British synchronised skating competition of the season at Alexandra Palace in London. Thirty eight teams from across the country readied themselves for competition, adorning themselves in beautiful costumes with bling galore. This year is the first time the competition has been held at the historic venue of Alexandra Palace which was turned into a synchro haven for the day with team banners decorating the rink, and also played host to a brand new category.
Their free programme was a contrast with a "Casablanca" theme complete with matching sheer brown dresses. There were a few errors and two falls but they still managed to get level 3 on their No Hold, Moves and intersection elements. The artistic wheel was a particular highlight with a central lift and skaters breaking off to jump. The free programme scored 56.14 points with a combined total of 85.72 points.
“Hi my name is Anzar from Team Spice from Slough and I am the vice captain of the team. The training was kinda nerve wracking. It wasn’t our best because we had a few mistakes but in the competition we just wanted to go out there and have fun and win gold at our first ever competition. I was gobsmacked. I wasn’t expecting it. To come out here, I’m proud of how the team coped. I’m so happy with the team and how they pulled together. Most of us were nervous but we went out and enjoyed ourselves.” Vice captain Anzar - Team Spice
Aura from Lee Valley have made the jump from Mixed Age to Senior B this season but that did not phase them. They skated a fast and exciting programme to ‘Run Boy Run’ where the elements appeared to come out of nowhere yet also showed their versatility with the contrasting ‘Ain’t no sunshine’ and soft powerful skating. The audience were enthralled and they scored 60.32 points.
Junior B: Whizz Kids won the gold
Unum from Sheffield came second with 45.91 points. Skating to "Dance Macabre", they showed off choreography which fitted the music beautifully and floated through some of the xylophone inflections very prettily. However, they dropped some levels, especially on the Moves Element.
Seven Mixed Age teams skated their new program
“Our PB was 35 points. Our strategy - we focused on the skaters taking ownership on how they think they can improve. We’ve given them the belief that they can improve and they’re not stagnant.” Coaches - Paul & Jenny
“The skate was amazing. The skating is good fun and it showed in the performance. We just can’t believe it." Jenny & Libby - captains of All Stars
The silver medal went to Ice Unite from Nottingham. They scored 48.82 points with a fast, confident routine to ‘Stronger’ and looked powerful and in control. They had quick transitions and pleased the crowd with their now infamous skirt flick during the preparation for their pivot block.
Earning the bronze medal was Team Phoenix from Lee Valley who scored 43.06 points. They skated to Lady Gaga and come onto the ice with attack and smiles. They had sharp movements and transitions in keeping with the music and looked like they were having fun.
Wight Sparkles from the Isle of Wight earned silver with 25.28 points. They skated to a very sparkly Spice Girls routine with a fast and snappy line and a wheel which was very energetic. It was an enjoyable programme to watch.
Adults, the most popular division
Illusion from Slough gained the silver with 21.73 points. Skating a disco infused number including Boogie Wonderland, the costumes exuded an almost psychedelic charm. The routine was full of fun and skated very musically, the choreography helping to generate the disco mood.
Earning the bronze was Amethyst from Bradford who scored 19.09 points. Dressed in shocking sparkly pink, they had a Dirty Dancing theme with an interesting V shaped intersection. The movement in the wheel was also unusual and the audience enjoyed the spiral transition.
"High School Musical" to win the Beginners category
Stardust from Lee Valley came second with 10.41 points. Wearing suit and tails, they skating to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but unfortunately had several falls.
Twizzles from Altrincham came second with 15.42 points. Wearing red tail coats, their music included Monty Python and Kermit the Frog. A highlight was the spiral spread pairs.
Wight Sequins from the Isle of Wight came third with 9.50 points. They wore Woody from Toy Story costumes and were a very young team. Their spirals were very high and the audience were impressed.
Juveniles exceeded 30 points
In second place was Novus from Sheffield who scored 21.73 points. They had a spooky programme to the Addams Family with a confident start. The choreography was in-keeping with the music and the skaters really performed it.
In third place was Angels from Deeside who scored 16.90 points. They skated to the Sound of Music in dresses which swished nicely with the music. There were nice nods to the film in the choreography and the Lonely Goatherd was very funny.
In short red dresses emulating flames, Malachite from Bradford earned second place with 24.87 points. It was an energetic routine and ended with the fire extinguished in water.
Skating to Pitch Perfect in blue sparkly dresses, Magic from Slough scored 23.42 points. It was a confidently skated routine delivered with smiles.
Results - TOP 3
Skate London Synchro Opens 2019
(GBR)
NOV 11, 2019 - NOV 11, 2019
TEAM | Score | |
---|---|---|
1 | Zariba (GBR) | 85.72 |
TEAM | Score | |
---|---|---|
1 | All Stars (GBR) | 39.72 |
TEAM | Score | |
---|---|---|
1 | Whizz Kids (GBR) | 61.00 |
2 | Team Unum (GBR) | 45.91 |