Mozart Cup 2011

I've developed a habit of discovering a live feed of a synchro event just as the event ends. I attempted to watch the senior freeskate of the inaugural Mozart Cup in Salzburg, Austria Sunday. I went through PayPal and then saw skaters take a bow and no more skating.... nothing is showing up on YouTube yet. Bummer because this competition boasted Nexxice, Marigold Ice Unity and the Haydenettes!

Here are the results of the senior competition. Marigold Ice Unity edged the Haydenettes for the top of the podium, reminiscent of the slim point divide between last year's teams at the 2010 world championships which was the last time these teams competed against each other. The Starlights also made their international season debut with a 5th place finish. Since I first witnessed the Starlights two years ago, they have been one of my favorite teams; I think they create unique programs within the IJS. (The Starlights were supposed to compete this weekend at Prague Cup, but that competition was canceled and competitors had to scramble for new assignments and travel arrangements.)

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	MARIGOLD ICE UNITY	FIN	186.77	1	1
2	HAYDENETTES	USA	184.32	2	2
3	TEAM BOOMERANG	SWE	164.54	3	3
4	HOT SHIVERS	ITA	140.95	4	4
5	STARLIGHTS	USA	118.66	5	5
6	SWEET MOZART	AUT	102.70	6	6
7	ZAGREB SNOWFLAKES	CRO	83.81	7	7
8	ANKARA UNIVERSITY SYNCHRONIZED SKATING TEAM	TUR	56.46	8	8

On the junior end, Nexxice of Canada skated away with a victory. The Lexettes rose up in the freeskate to take the bronze and the University of Miami junior varsity team finished 6th. World order was maintained however as a Finnish team took the silver and another was fifth.

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	NEXXICE	CAN	168.31	1	1
2	MUSKETEERS	FIN	164.86	2	2
3	LEXETTES	USA	141.12	4	3
4	TEAM CONVIVIUM	SWE	137.34	5	4
5	STELLA POLARIS	FIN	129.44	3	6
6	MIAMI UNIVERSITY JUNIOR	USA	122.78	7	5
7	TEAM SPIRIT	SWE	112.71	6	8
8	TEAM ESTREIJA	FIN	112.46	8	7
9	HOT SHIVERS JUN	ITA	107.62	9	9
10	ZAGREB SNOWFLAKES	CRO	72.35	11	10
11	FROSTWORK	HUN	66.97	10	12
12	STARLETS	CZE	63.98	12	11
13	ICE STARS JUNIOR	HUN	57.40	13	13

Synchro Sightings Anyone?

The Bryant Park rink opened last night. The Haydenettes usually perform to help ring in the holiday season and outdoor skating in New York City. Did anyone see them? I've not found YouTube clips yet.

I hope the audience realized they were watching the "next big thing" in the world of sports. I'm confident in the next few years synchronized skating will make the list of what's in and out on the "in" side.

Miami synchro has their exhibitions next Saturday. That includes a mini-practice, and seeing the programs of all Miami teams, the collegiate program, and both the short and free for the junior and senior teams. In past years, I've driven up to Oxford, Ohio to see the unveiling. Next weekend my skating club is hosting a competition and I'll be helping with the awards and pictures so I won't be making the trip. If anyone is in driving distance of the picturesque college town of Oxford, I recommend making the trip. You can stop in to the IKEA that's in the Cincinnati suburbs about 20 minutes from Oxford for some shopping or just to fill up on meatballs before heading to rink. They have a gorgeous two-rink arena for their hockey and synchro teams.

With Miami and the Haydenettes debuting their programs, that means the Dr. Porter Classic in Ann Arbor, Michigan is just around the corner. Then synchro season is on!

Has anyone seen their local synchro team lately? If you haven't you should! You'll be amazed at the speed and the sound of the blades moving in unison.

Anyone buzz about the Chicago Jazz? What's going on in Canada with Nexxice or Gold Ice? Who's going to make a move to the podium in Canada? Any of my occassional blog readers from Finland have any news on the Rockettes or any other of those amazing Finnish teams?