Synchronized Skating World Challenge Cup for Juniors – National Ice Centre, Nottingham, 8-10 March 2007

The National Ice Centre in Nottingham opened its doors to 17 teams representing 12 International Skating Union (ISU) member nations, welcoming this, the newest of figure skating disciplines to the ISU skating family, to Great Britain for the first time at world challenge level.

The official draw was opened by the event director Donna Gately (General Manager – National Ice Centre), who handed over to the President and Chairman of the national Ice Skating Association (NISA) Haig Oundjian, who during his address welcomed the many foreign visiting athletes and coaches in their native tongue.

It was especially exciting to have our own several times world ice dance champion – Courtney Jones OBE, now ISU Council Member, past President of the National Ice Skating Association and most supportive of this new exciting discipline which he has championed since it’s conception in the UK.

The opening ceremony scene was set with an exhibition by the Nottingham Junior category synchro team – National Ice Centre (NIC) Silhouettes and the NIC Skating Academy.

This was followed by a parade of the participating nations. Mich Stevenson OBE DL HON MA, Chairman of the NIC and Honorary Freeman of the city, welcomed the ISU Council members and officials together with all the athletes, coaches, families and friends to Nottingham and ISU Council Member, Marie Lundmark of Finland thanked Mr. Stevenson, the NIC and NISA and declared the Synchronized Skating World Challenge Cup for Juniors open.

The short programme produced some breathtaking performances to music of all styles and rhythms, with 2 renderings of John Lennon’s Imagine portrayed by Chicago Jazz from USA and Les Miracles of Finland, Barbie Girl from Czech Republic Team – Balance (who might be described as in the “Pink”), our own Great Britain team, from Lee Valley – Aura, with Moulin Rouge Bolero and finally a stunning interpretation of Shall We Dance/Lunatico from Fintastic from Finland who were leading after the short Programme competition.

There were thrills and spills throughout the evening with fast and precise intersections at high speed offering rockers, brackets and twizzles at the point of intersecting, as well as one or two falls which in some cases caused further calamity with skaters bearing down on each other. Black Rose from Hungary had a particularly bad time with falls and should be congratulated on their recovery and maintained presentation throughout the programme.

Colour and style graced the ice with new and innovative choreography and costumes some of which were startling and effective. In particular Italy – Hot Shivers – in black dresses with white hooping, Team Berlin Juniors with their streamline cat suits, the glitz of New York New York from Russia, Team Junost, and finally of note the French Black Diams with their body art roses on their backs!

Moving on to the Free Programme on Saturday,

Again colour, innovation and style lit the ice at the National Ice Centre with programmes including from Team Berlin Juniors a truly inspiring interpretation of our feathered friends – birds using The Ultimate music although small errors in the programme kept them out of the medals. The Supremes, from Canada, offered a completely different flavour with a Willie Wonka Compilation and effective body language to bring this music alive whilst skating a complex and extremely well executed programme, which earned them the silver medal. Chicago Jazz, from the USA, dazzled the audience again, this time with their programme music from Freedom – elements beautifully linked and precise throughout giving them the Bronze medal.

Fintastic from Finland held their first place position, scooping the Gold carrying on the Scandinavian tradition of excellence in Synchronized skating with a programme created around a mixture of music – Aerial/Soundtrack 1/Cirque de Soleil/Soundtrack 1.

The National Ice Centre offered hospitality to their officials and visitors, which will be remembered by all – a truly professional staff took the event from start to finish – on time – and beautifully presented. This world class venue will see many more world class events which will bring Nottingham a host of new visitors to enjoy surrounding attractions is this part of England steeped in history and legend – not forgetting Robin Hood and Maid Marion who joined the fun of the week.

Team Aura from Lee Valley is to be congratulated on representing Great Britain in this very prestigious event – an honour for the National Ice Skating Association to welcome to this country.