The IW synchro teams are now safely back home after another trouble free journey. The team was able to take a few hours’ sightseeing in Milan before the flight home, having braved the metro system to get to the centre.

After their long programme on Sunday, the Jewels were able to watch the senior long programmes in full, with Sweden’s Team Surprise top of the agenda. Team Surprise delivered a stunning and often jaw-droppingly audacious routine that earned an overall score of 180.77 and sadly overshadowed the next few teams (YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1w9UNQ4bns).

Tatarstan of Russia, however, very nearly overtook them, with a graceful and powerful long programme that propelled them to a total overall score of 179.13, and second place. But there was briefly a chance that the Swedish national anthem might not be heard for the third time at the Spring Cup. (YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAkY4BRKomM)

Team Boomerang of Sweden were third with 152.06 (YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfSzEHpxa1c).

A mention must go to Italy’s Hot Shivers, whose long programme was truly beautiful and moving, scoring 131.19 and achieving sixth place. While technically not as strong as those of the higher placed teams, it was sensitively choreographed and full of emotion. One of iowskaters’ favourite programmes of the event (YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR-pcbrQmgU).