SynchroNice / Fourth Edition / 2019

On paper, most of us would have guessed that there would probably be a catfight between the Finnish teams Marigold IceUnity and Team Unique, but we were wrong. Marigold IceUnity lost some precious points in their Short program, while Team Unique totally nailed their Short. However, Nova from Canada, and Crystal Ice from Russia also, and perhaps a little surprisingly, nailed their Short routines and got amazing points from the judges. So, now starting the Free program on the 2nd day of the competition, any outcome suddenly seemed possible,with Unique in the lead before 2nd Crystal Ice, 3rd Nova, and 4th MIU. Everyone was geared up for that evening and you could feel the tension among the athletes and among the entire audience in the ice-rink. Beautiful performances by the American teams Skyliners and Haydenettes led us to the final group. The cheering got louder and louder when Team Unique entered the rink, focused but confident. Maybe it was tension or nerves, but unfortunately several mistakes and falls cost them dearly, while Marigold IceUnity, on the other hand, skated a flawless and probably their best Free program this season. But without a doubt, Canada’s revelation Nova and a sparkling Crystal Ice, yet again performed without a doubt their best Free programs ever. Nova totally killed it on both days and therefore came out as the well-deserved Gold Medalist, followed by Marigold IceUnity, who absolute­ ly deserved to be on the Silver podium and the beautiful surprise of this weekend Crystal Ice who got the Bronze medal. All very deserving medalists, while the unfortunate and very disappointed team Unique was left in tears. Still, what a joy this weekend was for the audience and all other Synchro lovers watching the live stream, and of course for those who actually attended the event in Salzburg… The Sacher Torte, the Mozart Kugeln and the schnitzels weren’t that bad either ;) Liebe Grüße from Salzburg.  SYNCHRO NICE 149