Recap
Two Finnish teams qualified for Junior Worlds
Recap
Two Finnish teams qualified for Junior Worlds
Valley Bay Synchro has qualified as Team Finland 1 for the World Junior Championships, to be held in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in one month's time. (Credits: Ville Vairinen - 2024)
The Marie Lundmark Trophy took place on Saturday and Sunday in Helsinki, Finland. This top-level competition was the 5th and final leg of the Challenger Series and witnessed some incredible performances. The Helsinki Rockettes won the gold in Senior, Les Suprêmes were the best in the Junior division, and two Finnish junior teams to qualify for the Junior World Championships.
What a weekend at the Helsinki Ice Hall! The beautiful rink in the heart of Finland's capital welcomed talented teams once again on Sunday, this time competing in the free programs.
In the junior category, the competition remained tight. Les Suprêmes Junior (CAN) were particularly strong with their well-executed free program to Albert Einstein. The performance began elegantly with the line and was endowed with great nuance and precision. The Quebec team totalled 198.65 for their two performances, taking the gold medal.
In the junior category, the competition remained tight. Les Suprêmes Junior (CAN) were particularly strong with their well-executed free program to Albert Einstein. The performance began elegantly with the line and was endowed with great nuance and precision. The Quebec team totalled 198.65 for their two performances, taking the gold medal.
Les Suprêmes Junior learn they've won! (Credits: Ville Vairinen - 2024)
The competition had a special meaning for the Finnish teams, who were qualifying for the World Junior Championships. Valley Bay Synchro (2nd - 197.50) secured its ticket to the Worlds with its superb program, which took spectators into the world of water, as did Team Fintastic (3rd - 195.08) with also a stunning free skate. The Finnish Skating Federation confirmed this qualification on Sunday afternoon.
The junior division was really interesting to watch, with 11 teams from 5 different nations making the trip to Finland.
The junior division was really interesting to watch, with 11 teams from 5 different nations making the trip to Finland.
Team Fintastic will be the 2nd Finnish representative at Worlds. (Credits: Ville Vairinen - 2024)
In the Seniors category, the gap between the teams widened thanks to the free programs.
In the battle between the Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) and Les Suprêmes (CAN), the Finns finally had the last word. The Helsinki Rockettes won the competition with a perfect free program and a huge final score of 235.05! As for Les Suprêmes, they performed a good free program to Mount Everest, but a few minor imperfections, including a fall in the Moves element, prevented them from taking the gold (total score: 226.72).
In the battle between the Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) and Les Suprêmes (CAN), the Finns finally had the last word. The Helsinki Rockettes won the competition with a perfect free program and a huge final score of 235.05! As for Les Suprêmes, they performed a good free program to Mount Everest, but a few minor imperfections, including a fall in the Moves element, prevented them from taking the gold (total score: 226.72).
Helsinki Rockettes put in a stunning performance, pulverizing the scores. (Credits : Ville Vairinen - 2024)
Team Unique (FIN) performed the 2nd best free program of the evening, moving up one place in the rankings. The Finnish team won the bronze medal with a score of 223.43. The U.S. team Skyliners, who was 3rd after the short programs, finally finished 4th with 207.69, followed by Canada's Nova Senior with a score of 192.05.
Nine senior teams were competing in Helsinki this weekend.
Nine senior teams were competing in Helsinki this weekend.
Marie Lundmark Trophy 2024
See detailed scores
See detailed scores
