HELSINKI – The Helsinki Rockettes nudged Nexxice, from Burlington, Ont., off the podium on Saturday at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.

Paradise, from Russia, placed first in both the short and long programs for the gold with 234.38 points. Marigold Ice Unity from Finland followed for the silver at 228.70 and their compatriots, the Helsinki Rockettes, moved from fifth after the short to the bronze position with 228.61 thanks to the second best free skate of the day.

Nexxice was third after Friday’s short and ranked fourth in the long to finish fourth overall with 224.42.

The skaters for Nexxice were Nadine Banholzer, Payton Beckett, Kelly Britten, Danielle Broughton, Naya Bay, Molly Coxon, Emma Daigle, Laura Emery, Aranna Gould-Tasoojy, Taylor Johnson, Emma Kim, Megan MacLellan, Elizabeth McKenna, Courtney McNaughton, Tegan Orr, Carolina Rodriguez, Alessandra Toso and Emily Wright.

“This was the first time we skated our Handmaid’s Tale routine full out which is really nice to put down all at once and give an emotional experience for us and the audience,” said Britten. “This was an incredible atmosphere to skate in and our improvements really showed in the past two days.”

Nova performing their free program

Nova from St-Hubert, Que., also dropped a spot to finish seventh overall. There were 24 entries.

The Nova skaters were: Domini Barthe, Sarah Bousquet-Saint-Laurent, Maya Cardillo, Josyane Cholette, Laurence Darveau, Laura Derôme, Gabrielle Gauthier Roy, Audrey Hébert, Maude Héon-Grandchamps, Noémie Julien, Valérie Magnan-Lévesque, Audrey Martel, Elizabeth Morin, Alycia O’Leary, Gabrielle Paul, Simon Proulx Sénécal, Tessa Sarret and Émilie Villeneuve.

“We had a great experience,” said Darveau. “It definitely wasn’t the skate we wanted to have. There were some mishaps but that’s part of skating. You have to have two solid sates to be on top on the world. We’re pretty happy with the experience we gained here. Our short was the best of the entire season and we can take this and build on it.”

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/wcsys2019/

Photo credit: Jim Coveart

OTTAWA, ON: Canada will have two teams competing at the 2019 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships this week from April 12-13, in Helsinki, Finland.

Canadian gold medallists, Nova, from St-Hubert, Que., will represent Canada for the first time at the world championships. The team finished second at Winterfest and won gold at Mozart Cup earlier this season. They are coached by Marie-France Sirois.

Canadian silver medallists, NEXXICE, from the Burlington Skating Club, will also represent Canada in Helsinki. They won gold at Trophy D’Ecosse and at the Spring Cup earlier this season. The team is coached by Shelley Simonton-Barnett and Ann Schelter.

Mary Ellen McDonald, Skate Canada Senior Director, Operations, will be the team leader at the event. Dr. Laura Cruz of Toronto, Ont., and physiotherapist Paige Larson of North Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Diane Kamagianis of Mission, Ont., will be the Canadian official at the event. Dr. Shae Zukiwsky, Senior Director, Performance Excellence, will also be traveling with the team.

For more information, please visit www.isu.org.