What a start to Worlds 2026 in Austria. Friday night brought twists, setbacks and many deductions. Among the provisional top seven, only Les SuprĂŞmes (CAN) and Team Berlin 1 (GER) finished without any deduction. Every other team from second to seventh lost between one and three points. That is an unusual picture at this stage of a World Championship.
Les SuprĂŞmes take the lead thanks to a clean short program
After finishing just off the podium in 2025, Les SuprĂŞmes (CAN) made a strong statement this time. Their 83.24 points came with the best technical score of the night, the best program components and no deduction.
The Haydenettes (USA) are second with 79.30 points after a very musical and controlled “Crazy Train,” despite one fall. Team Nova (CAN) is third with 75.95 points. Their skate was strong and expressive, although a one-point deduction kept them from staying closer to the top two.
Just behind the podium, Helsinki Rockettes (FIN), last year’s world champions, had a much tougher outing. The Finnish team is fourth with 72.44 points after two falls. The Skyliners (USA) are fifth with 70.46 points. Their “Lose Control” started perfectly, but one fall proved costly. Right behind them, Team Berlin 1 (GER) is sixth with 68.68 points. The German team delivered a clean, precise and confident skate, and joins Les Suprêmes (CAN) as the only team in the top seven with no deduction.
From seventh to tenth place, everything remains open. Four teams are covered by just 3.13 points!
Team Unique (FIN) is seventh with 66.16 points. The opening of the program was excellent, but three falls had a major impact. Right behind them, Team Inspire (SWE) is eighth with 65.83 points. The Swedish team delivered an energetic and confident performance with no deduction, and trails seventh place by only 0.33 points.
Team Unique (FIN) endured a difficult night in Salzburg. Despite a very strong start, three falls dropped the Finnish team to provisional seventh place. • Ville Vairinen - 2026
Team Passion (HUN) is ninth with 64.49 points after a fast and well-managed skate to “Romance.” The Hungarian team showed clear joy at the end.
Team Ice on Fire (ITA) is tenth with 63.03 points. The Italians once again showed their creativity and incredible progress with a passionate and theatrical “Serpents of the Sands,” but a fall in the intersection cost them one important point.
Five teams within 3.52 points: the middle of the standings is still wide open
From 11th to 15th place, the standings are even tighter than they look. Team Hot Shivers (ITA) is 11th with 54.92 points after a clean, energetic and committed skate. Team Olympia (CZE) follows with 53.87 points. The Czech team stood out with an original program that mixed traditional touches with a more modern feel. Team Cool Dreams (SUI) is 13th with 53.50 points after a soft and emotional performance to “Wings.”
There are only 1.42 points between 11th and 13th place!
Team Ice Fire Senior (POL) is 14th with 53.31 points. The Polish team delivered a passionate and theatrical program, but one fall cost them a point. Team Jingu Ice Messengers (JPN) sits 15th with 51.40 points. One fall slowed the Japanese team, but the overall content remained solid. In this part of the standings, nothing is settled before the free skating.
Les Zoulous (FRA) delivered a “Poker Face” short program. • Ville Vairinen - 2026
Team Icicles Senior (GBR) leads the last section of the standings in 16th place with 46.40 points. Their creative “Hung Up” left a positive impression. Team United Angels (GER) is 17th with 45.40 points after a skate marked by several errors and two falls, despite strong choreography. Zoulous (FRA) follows in 18th with 44.85 points. The French team presented a nice version of “Poker Face,” but one fall weighed on the final score.
Team Ice United (NED) is 19th with 43.40 points after three falls and a three-point deduction on “The Seed.” Team Unity (AUS) is 20th with 41.01 points after bringing rock energy to the arena.
Home team Colibris Vienna Senior (AUT) is 21st with 38.08 points after being slowed by two falls. Team Fusion (ESP) is 22nd with 36.03 points after opening the competition at the start of the evening.
Attention now turns to Saturday at the Salzburgarena, where the free skating event will begin at 3:30 p.m. local time.
The final group is scheduled to start at 6:41 p.m., with Les SuprĂŞmes (CAN) set to skate last at 7:12 p.m.
Given how tight several parts of the standings remain after the short program, nothing is settled yet: from the medals to the top 10, everything will still be in play on day two.