Hockettes Hold Slim Lead after Short Program

Hockettes Photo by Paul Harvath

2006 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships Results, Recaps and Photos

The Hockettes ook the first step in defending their junior title by winning the short program Thursday during the first night of competition at the 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Synchronized Team Skating Championships in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The team from Ann Arbor, Mich., wearing its signature turquoise and gold costumes, turned in a clean program that featured good flow, knee bend and overall strong skating skills.

Skating to “Walk Like an Egyptian,” the Hockettes ave the enthusiastic crowd at Van Andel Arena plenty to cheer about. They started their routine with a block element that began in a pyramid shape, transitioning nicely into the required step sequence that was performed in a no-hold. They also excelled during their first intersection move, in which they performed spread eagles at the point of intersection.

Their efforts earned the Hockettes 39.82 points and a slim lead over The Colonials of Acton, Mass., which scored 38.57, and Chicago Jazz, which recorded a mark of 38.15. The Skyliners from the Skating Club of New York executed their team-best mark of 33.07 and sit fourth.

The junior free skate is slated for Friday at 6 p.m. “The girls talked about treating this like a performance, an exhibition,” said Hockettes coach Erin Donovan when asked if there was any pressure to defend the title. “So we focused on that aspect of it. We really didn't bring up or talk about any of the pressures or expectations from other people. They love to perform and love the crowd, so that's where our focus was tonight.”

The Hockettes are one of 13 teams that qualified for the national competition from three sectionals. After this weekend's competition, they, along with Chicago Jazz, are headed to Helsinki, Finland, to represent the United States at the World Challenge Cup for Juniors.

“I thought the girls skated the best they could,” Donovan said. “From the scores, we were given credit for nearly everything that we attempted.”

The team, she said, simply loves to perform and get the audience behind them.

The Colonials, fourth last year under 18-year coach Merita Mullen, demonstrated good flow and their graceful skating style matched their musical choice of “I'm Not Sorry” from Celine Dion. Exiting a circle formation, The Colonials transitioned smoothly into their optional intersection, with back lunge at the point of intersection.

“The back lunge is a favorite of the girls, so I opted to use it as my optional intersection, knowing they would love it and do it to the best of their ability and maybe get a couple of component points,” Mullen said.

“I think I saw general improvement to straighten up lines, deepen up circles and get a little bit more speed.”

Mullen said she received a communication from Chair of the Synchronized Skating Committee Dann Krueger recently that detailed some things that the team could work on to improve their chances at upcoming events.

“I think it made (our programs) a little edgier, a little more polished,” Mullen said.

Chicago Jazz, second last year's championships, displayed power, speed and crispness to its routine that featured music from “Man of La Mancha.”

Their intersections – one using a back lunge and the other a spread eagle – received the judges' approval. “I couldn't have asked the girls to work any harder,” said Chicago Jazz coach Lisa Darken. “This is about our personal-best score. The girls love to skate their long program, that's their real strength. That's where they excel.”

Josh Babb, coach of the Skyliners, was thrilled with his club's performance. Last year, the Skyliners finished in the lower third of the national competition.

“It's been a great year for this team” Babb said. “We've been trying to figure out this new system all season and it happened at a good time. I have a great organization and great girls to work with.”