Nottingham junior synchronized skating team Icicles put in a sterling performance at the Mozart Cup in Salzburg, taking second place overall with a total of 95.71.
Icicles scored 34.99 in the short, taking second place behind Finland’s Fire Blades on 36.19 and ahead of the Czech Republic’s Starlets in third on 30.43. Places remained the same in the long with Fire Blades scoring 69.45 for a total of 105.64, Icicles scoring 60.72 for a total of 95.71 and Starlets scoring 54.78 for a total of 85.21.
From the point of view of British synchronized skating, it’s an excellent result that demonstrates the degree to which the UK junior teams have improved in the past few years. It’s just a shame there aren’t more of them.
The Icicles’ score contributes to a pretty tough target for the Wight Jewels to hit in Rouen in February to have any hope to qualifying for the worlds – on current form the Jewels would have to beat scores currently set by French team Black Diam’s – although as they are the next target team in the hierarchy that would have to happen for any UK team to make headway in the world rankings, whoever ultimately competes.
Icicles’ score in Salzburg is down on the 103.92 achieved at the British in November 2012, but 1.2 ahead of the Jewels’ score (94.51) at that event. Based purely on the qualification formula, the Jewels will have to score over 114.53 in Europe to be chosen ahead of Icicles for the worlds. It’s not inconceivable if their raw long programme receives a bit of polish.
Official website: www.mozartcup.biz
Results: www.mozartcup.biz/2013/ergebnisse/
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