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NEXXICE breaks Canadian record en route to eighth straight national crown at Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

BURNABY, B.C. – It’s official – NEXXICE and Les Suprêmes can pack their packs for Italy.

The two senior synchronized skating powerhouses punched their tickets to the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, thanks to a one-two finish at the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships Saturday in suburban Vancouver.

NEXXICE did it in record-breaking fashion.

The Burlington, Ont.-based team claimed their eighth straight Canadian senior crown, posting 148.90 in the free skate to take gold with 228.12 points, setting a new Canadian record in the process. NEXXICE shattered their own Canadian record of 223.58, which they set at the 2009 world championships – where they won gold.

Quebec’s Les Suprêmes (215.02) finished second while Edge earned bronze.

Both NEXXICE and Les Suprêmes will represent Canada at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships to be staged April 3-5 in Courmayeur, Italy. NEXXICE has won silver at the world championships in each of the past two years, missing out on gold by half a point in 2013.

“This doesn’t get old at all,” NEXXICE coach Shelley Barnett said of her squad’s eight straight titles. “It’s really exciting for our girls.

“Every year is a different team, different programs, and new challenges. We are really looking forward to skating at worlds.”

Two other Canadian champions were crowned Saturday. Les Suprêmes took home junior gold with a sparkling free program, scoring 111.30 for a two-day total of 172.10. The silver went to NEXXICE (164.72) and Les Pirouettes (159.96) were rewarded with bronze.

In the open category, Nova, from Quebec, secured gold with a free program score of 96.86 and a 140.70 total. Gold Ice (129.72) won silver while NEXXICE (128.01) skated away with bronze.

On Friday, Les Suprêmes won novice gold while Synchronicity won the national intermediate title.

Les Suprêmes, Synchronicity take home novice, intermediate gold at Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

BURNABY, B.C. – Les Suprêmes were crowned Canadian novice champions while Synchronicity took home intermediate gold Friday at the 2014 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships.

Performing a dazzling Michael Jackson routine that had the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on its feet, Quebec’s Les Suprêmes, the leaders after the opening day of competition, scored 77.58 in the second free program to claim novice gold with a 112.31 total. Their provincial counterparts, Nova, finished second at 98.40 while NEXXICE, from Western Ontario, took bronze with a 97.69 total.

After starting the day in sixth spot, defending champions Les Pirouettes made a charge for the podium before falling just short, finishing in fourth spot with 92.02 points.

Synchronicity won the Canadian intermediate title, edging Évolution for gold. The Western Ontario team scored 69.94 in their final free program for a 102.72 total, while Évolution came in at 102.62 for silver. Nova took bronze with 98.92 points.

Teams in the open, junior and senior categories took to the ice for their opening programs Friday.

NEXXICE, the back-to-back world silver medallists, set the tone in the senior division, scoring 79.22 in their short program to vault into top spot ahead of Les Suprêmes (74.54). The top two finishers in the senior category after Saturday’s free program will wear the Canadian colours at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Italy in April.

Les Suprêmes were also quick out of the gate in the junior short program, managing 60.80, more than six points clear of second-place Les Pirouettes (54.32).

In the Open Free Program #1, Nova scored 43.84 to hold a slight edge on NEXXICE (42.93) and Central Ontario’s Gold Ice (39.64).

Competition closes out Saturday, with the second open free program along with the junior and senior free programs. Tickets are available at the door. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for children (ages 6-16).

Les Suprêmes novice, Evolution intermediate set early pace at Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

BURNABY, B.C. – Les Suprêmes Novice and Evolution Intermediate took first steps towards national titles Thursday as the 2014 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships kicked off in Burnaby, B.C.

Les Suprêmes, from Quebec, set the early pace in the novice category, scoring 34.73 to take a slim lead into Friday’s second free program. NEXXICE, representing Western Ontario, holds down second spot at 31.99.

Defending novice champions Les Pirouettes of Quebec scored 29.60 and are currently sixth.

In the first of two intermediate free programs, Quebec’s Evolution scored 33.90 to take the lead heading into Friday’s second free program. Synchronicity, the defending intermediate national champions from Western Ontario, are in second with 32.78 points, while another Quebec team, Nova, holds down third spot at 32.63.

More than 40 teams from across Canada are competing for Canadian crowns at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre in novice, intermediate, open, junior and senior.

Both the novice and intermediate teams will battle for medals Friday followed by the Open Free Program #1 and the junior and senior short programs.

Competition wraps up Saturday with the second Open free program as well as the junior and senior free programs. The senior gold and silver medallists will represent Canada at the 2014 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Courmayeur, Italy in April.

Single-day tickets are available at the door. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for children (ages 6-16).

Canadian titles on the line at the 2014 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships in Burnaby

OTTAWA, ON: Synchronized skating teams from across the country will descend on Burnaby, British Columbia for the 2014 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships, taking place from February 20-22, 2014 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

The event will host approximately 800 skaters and coaches on 41 teams. Teams will compete for national titles in the senior, junior, open, intermediate and novice categories. The top two senior teams will represent Canada at the 2014 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships from April 4-5, 2014, in Courmayeur, Italy.

“The Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships is one of the most thrilling events of the year. The event combines the skill and artistry of figure skating coupled with the synchronized movements of a team,” said Dan Thompson, CEO Skate Canada. “We are excited to be in Burnaby for this event and with national titles and world spots on the line fans can expect a great competition.”

Tickets are available at the door at $30 for adults and $20 for children and seniors.