Photo Credit Getty Images
By Kristen Henneman
Team USA’s most decorated synchronized skating team, the Haydenettes, clinched their best-ever finish at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, earning the silver medal in Zagreb, Croatia, Saturday.
The silver ties the best-ever result by a U.S. team at the World Championships and marks Team USA’s first silver since Miami University in 2007. The podium finish is the sixth in the Haydenettes’ history and first since 2016.
"It's a huge honor, for the U.S. and us as well,” Haydenettes team member Autumn Coulthard said. “I looked up to all the older skaters who had a small medal or a bronze or anything and [we] try to make them proud, continue the legacy and keep pushing synchro forward to ultimately get it to the Olympics. So, it's really exciting."
Capping off the Haydenettes most successful international season in the team’s history, the 31-time U.S. champions secured their best-ever score at a World Championships by more than 15 points, totaling 233.85.
Starting the day in third place, the Haydenettes saved their best free skate for the biggest event of the season, setting a season’s best with 157.11 points. Their performance to “Who Wants to Live Forever" by The Tenors featuring Lindsey Stirling earned Level 4 marks on the first nine elements. Six elements were awarded a grade of execution score of 2.60 or better, highlighted by their group lift that received a GOE of 3.00 for 10.50 points.
Overall, the team that trains in Norwood, Massachusetts, claimed the highest total element score of the competition, jumping up to the silver medal. The Haydenettes secured silver or gold at each of their international events this season after claiming gold and silver at their two Challenger Series events.
"It felt great,” Coulthard said of the Haydenettes’ free skate. “I feel like today we really skated as one unit. We left everything on the ice, put our heart out there and fought for every single element, every single point. I don't think we could have done better than the skate we put out tonight."
Also representing Team USA, the Skyliners placed sixth, their best-ever result at the World Championships. Their previous best was eighth in 2019.
The reigning U.S. silver medalists earned their best-ever score at Worlds with 206.27 points in their third appearance at the event.
Skating to a Romeo and Juliet theme, the Skyliners recorded Level 4s on seven elements, ending their free skate with their strongest element – a Level 4 intersection with a Level 4 point of intersection. They received 136.99 points for the segment.
"Putting out two clean, solid performances that we're really proud of, I don't think we could've asked for anything more, and it was such an honor to be competing for the U.S. on this stage and with this group of people. It was truly spectacular," said Skyliners skater Emily Schneider.
To view full results from the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2024, click here.
