Recap

Senior Worlds 2024: Les Suprêmes top the rankings after short programs


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Les Suprêmes, pictured here in their short program "Love Is Blindness", have a (narrow) lead over Helsinki Rockettes after Day 1. (Credits: Paul Carrolo, UnisonPhoto - 2024)

The 2024 Senior World Championships opened this Friday evening at the Arena Zagreb in Croatia. 21 teams skated their short programs.

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It's a story that starts quite well for Les Suprêmes (CAN). As reigning world champions, the Quebec team finished on top after the first day of competition with a score of 78.89. Les Suprêmes skated a perfect short program, benefiting from additional GOEs on their technical elements. After 2022 and 2023, could the team be on its way to its 3rd world title?

Their main rivals haven't had their final say, especially the Helsinki Rockettes (FIN), who are just 0.89 points behind the gold! With a score of 78.00 points, Kaisa Arrateig's team skated their short program "Liberation" at full speed and with confidence, without any mistakes.


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Poland's Ice Fire skated to Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper". (Credits: Paul Carrolo, UnisonPhoto - 2024)

Two teams still have every chance to compete at the top of the rankings and (perhaps) create a surprise on Saturday. These are the Haydenettes (USA), who skated a very clean short program full of tenderness, obtaining a score of 76.74, just two points behind Les Suprêmes. The Finnish Team Unique is hot on the heels of the American team, currently in 4th place with 76.50.

In 5th place is Team Nova Senior, the other Canadian team, which led the rankings for a good while since they competed in the first group! Skaters from Dominic Barthe and Nadine Tougas performed a beautiful short program to Blondie's "Call Me," totaling 72.09, a very good score for only their 2nd participation in the World Championships.

The Skyliners (USA) are 6th with 69.28 after an amazing program to "Writings on the Wall" by Sam Smith and James Napier.


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With its four male skaters, Australia's Team Unity made a great impression. (Credits: Paul Carrolo, UnisonPhoto - 2024)

The first day of the Senior World Championships saw many great performances and few falls and mistakes. Some teams finish very close to each other and will have to give their best to widen the gap and climb the rankings.

It will indeed be interesting to observe, for example, Team Ice on Fire (59.96) representing Italy and the Japanese from Jingu Ice Messengers (59.90), who both want to finish in the world's top 10 (currently 10th and 11th).

The same goes for team Ice Fire from Poland (54.99) currently 13th and United Angels from Germany (54.89) who finished 14th after the first day.

ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2024
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The free programs will begin on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (local time) in Croatia. The local team Zagreb Snowflakes will open the competition and Les Suprêmes will be the last to skate.