The Skyliners took the senior title by an impressive 15.46-point lead after winning both the short program and free skate segments over the three-day competition. Coached by Josh Babb and Pam May, the New York and Connecticut-based team received positive Grades of Execution for every element in their short program to “I Was Here” by Beyonce and free skate set to music from Cleopatra. They tallied a total of 180.74 points.
Miami University captured bronze with 162.32 points. The team skated to music from Phantom of the Opera for their short program and a Las Vegas-themed free skate to earn five Level 4 elements. With skaters ranging in age from 18-22, the team trains in Oxford, Ohio.
The Skyliners junior team experienced similar success to its senior team, winning gold with a 25.17-point margin over second-place finishers Starlights, also representing the United States. Skating to “You and I” by The Tenors in their short program and the Black Swan sound track for their free skate, the Skyliners received a total mark of 165.73.
Illinois’ Starlights won the silver medal, unhindered by two falls in their free skate to “The Raven” by Zack Hemsey. The team had the second-best scores in both segments, featuring their short program to Shakira’s “Ojos Asi,” only behind fellow Americans Skyliners to culminate in a 140.56 total.
The next international synchronized skating competition is the Neuchâtel Trophy in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Jan. 19-21. Synchronized sectional championships will take place over two weeks, starting Jan. 17, and will be available to watch on-demand on icenetwork.
