Recap

Helsinki Rockettes skated to a narrow lead over Team Unique and won the Nationals


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With this victory, Helsinki Rockettes qualify for the World Synchronized Skating Championships as "Team Finland 1". (Credits: Ville Vairinen - 2020)

The weekend could not have been more exciting in Espoo, where the 2020 Finnish Nationals took place from February 29 to March 1. Second after the short program, Helsinki Rockettes won the Senior National title and skated their way to the Worlds. Team Fintastic won the Junior competition which was extremely tight.

Helsinki Rockettes renewed the national title
In Seniors the stakes were high as four teams were competing but only two may enter the Worlds. After the short programs Team Unique was only 0.19 points ahead of Helsinki Rockettes.

In free skating Helsinki Rockettes got their personal best score 150.75. Their program ”Wounded Angel” was full of emotions and the performance was technically skilled. With a total score of 228.96, they reached the first position and got the National title. As the Finnish Champions, they will be FIN1 in the World Championships 2020.

Team Unique performed their program ”Betrayed” with confidence. Although there were small inaccuracies in their performance, they were the second best team of the day earning 147.92 in free skating. With a total score of 226.32, they got the silver medals. The team has provided strong evidence throughout the season and will be FIN2 based on the highest average score of three competitions, the Nationals and two international competitions (230.25).


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Team Unique performing their free program (Credits: Santtu Jaakkola - 2020)

Marigold IceUnitwas already a few points behind (-2.42) after the short program and the split grew in free skating. They got 144.80 for their free program ”Tribute to Notre Dame” and 220.78 in total. Their performance has improved over the season, but this year it was only enough to win the bronze. The reigning World Championship silver medalist is not qualified this year for the Worlds.

Lumineers got 134.71 for their free program ”Swipe Right” and 204.90 in a total which is their second best score of the season. The team was established in 2017 and has come closer and closer to the other three teams every season.
Exciting competition in Juniors
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Team Fintastic, junior national champions 2020. (Credits: Kirsi Laine Photography - 2020)

Team Fintastic skated their program ”Anesthesia” skillfully earning 126.23. With their season’s best total score of 198.65 they took the gold medals. The team already qualified for the Junior Worlds earlier in February.

Dream Edges won the free skating section earning 126.96. They performed their program ”Stonehenge” with power but did not manage to renew the national title. Their total score 197.38 was their season’s best.

Musketeers also got a new record. They got 121.72 for their free program ”Metamorphosis”. They gathered 191.58 in total and reached the podium after a year’s break.

Team Mystique was not far behind after short programs, but did not succeed in free skating. They had an unfortunate fall in the intersection. Their program ”Tique Tock” was given 115.71 points which left them in fourth place with a total score of 185.18. The team already qualified for the Junior Worlds a few weeks ago.


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Dream Edges in their free program. (Credits: Santtu Jaakkola - 2020)

For several Finnish teams, the synchronized skating season ended this weekend with the National Championships.

For the teams that will represent Finland at the World Championships... the season is really not over yet since there are only ten days left before the World Junior Championships and less than a month until the Senior World Championships in Lake Placid.

Results - TOP 3

Finnish National Championships 2020
Espoo (FIN)
FEB 29, 2020 - MAR 01, 2020

Novice A
TEAM Score
1Finettes (FIN)92.59
2Team Dynamique (FIN)84.43
3Starlights (FIN)84.35

Senior
TEAM Score
1Helsinki Rockettes (FIN)228.96
2Team Unique (FIN)226.32
3Marigold IceUnity (FIN)220.78

Junior
TEAM Score
1Team Fintastic (FIN)198.65
2Dream Edges (FIN)197.38
3Musketeers (FIN)191.58