The Helsinki 2013 Junior Synchro Worlds may be the first official ISU world junior synchronized skating championship, but it merely follows on from the previous event, the Junior World Challenge Cup. It’s more a change of status and recognition than a different event.
Last year iowskaters looked at much the change in required elements affected team scores for the world event, because it provides a big enough consistent sample of teams scrutinized at the highest level. In the 2011/12 season, results dropped to an average of 87.2% of the previous season’s scores, but they have risen in the 2012/13 season. So how big was the change?
| Team | 2011 JWCC | 2012 JWCC | 2013 Worlds | Percentage |
| Fintastic (FIN) | 176.61 | 171.67 | 183.00 | 106.6% |
| Musketeers (FIN) | 175.77 | 168.76 | 183.20 | 108.6% |
| Nexxice (CAN) | 163.02 | 139.70 | 149.84 | 107.3% |
| Gold Ice (CAN) | 150.26 | – | – | – |
| Les Supremes (CAN) | – | 146.30 | 145.45 | – |
| Team Braemar (USA) | 172.48 | 145.08 | – | – |
| Skyliners (USA) | 162.96 | 139.97 | 143.69 | 102.7% |
| Lexettes (USA) | – | – | 144.70 | – |
| Team Convivium (SWE) | 160.42 | 135.45 | 138.91 | 102.6% |
| Team Spirit (SWE) | 132.14 | 115.45 | 124.75 | 108.1% |
| Spartak Junost (RUS) | 150.23 | 134.03 | 171.56 | 128.1% |
| Idel (RUS) | 120.13 | 100.83 | – | – |
| Sunrise 1 (Russia) | – | – | 119.93 | – |
| Team Berlin Juniors (GER) | 128.16 | 117.07 | 113.15 | 96.7% |
| Cool Dreams Junior (SWI) | 119.80 | 99.84 | 82.10 | 82.2% |
| Hot Shivers (ITA) | 116.69 | 92.56 | 104.74 | 113.2% |
| Kometa (Czech) | – | – | 99.18 | – |
| Black Diam’s (FRA) | 98.94 | 87.29 | 94.77 | 108.6% |
| Frost Work Juniors (HUN) | 86.24 | 66.76 | – | – |
| Sportorszag Junior (HUN) | – | – | 49.57 | – |
| Gloria (BLR) | 83.43 | – | – | – |
| Wight Jewels (GBR) | 75.64 | 71.92 | – | – |
| Team Icicles (GBR) | – | – | 91.03 | – |
| Zagreb Snowflakes (CRO) | 75.40 | – | – | – |
| Iceskateers Elite (AUS) | 68.74 | – | – | – |
| Majestic Ice (AUS) | – | 60.64 | 66.09 | – |
| Sweet Mozart (AUT) | – | – | 60.44 | – |
| Team Rainbow (RSA) | – | – | 58.70 | – |
| Duke Town Twinkle Stars (NED) | – | 42.94 | – | – |
| – | Average | 105.6% |
All teams from all three events have been included for future reference. Percentage is the 2013 score as a percentage of the 2012 score, i.e. for Fintastic 183.00 (2013) is 106.6% of 171.67 (2012).
Most of the teams rose to an average of 105.6% of their previous score. Eliminating the two extremes to get the typical performance – one team jumped enormously, another plummeted from its usual spot – the average is 106%.
Gaps in the table show how much the synchro scene can change in three years. Once familiar names can suddenly drop, to be replaced by teams that will no doubt become familiar. With that in mind, iowskaters this time is also looking at the points required to secure 1st to last place, regardless of the team that scored them:
| Place | 2012 JWCC | 2013 Worlds | Percentage |
| 1 | 171.67 | 183.20 | 106.7% |
| 2 | 168.76 | 183.00 | 108.4% |
| 3 | 146.30 | 171.56 | 117.3% |
| 4 | 145.08 | 149.84 | 103.3% |
| 5 | 139.97 | 145.45 | 103.9% |
| 6 | 139.79 | 144.70 | 103.5% |
| 7 | 135.45 | 143.69 | 106.1% |
| 8 | 134.03 | 138.91 | 103.6% |
| 9 | 117.07 | 124.75 | 106.6% |
| 10 | 115.45 | 119.93 | 103.9% |
| 11 | 100.83 | 113.15 | 112.2% |
| 12 | 99.84 | 104.74 | 104.9% |
| 13 | 92.56 | 99.18 | 107.1% |
| 14 | 87.29 | 94.77 | 108.6% |
| 15 | 71.92 | 91.03 | 126.6% |
| 16 | 66.76 | 82.10 | 123.0% |
| 17 | 60.64 | 66.09 | 109.0% |
| 18 | 42.94 | 60.44 | 140.8% |
| 19 | – | 58.70 | – |
| 20 | – | 49.57 | – |
| – | Average | 110.9% |
Percentage is the 2013 score as a percentage of the 2012 score.
In short, to get any particular position, marks in 2013 needed to be higher than those in 2012 by 4% to 10%: 6% is about average after eliminating the four most extreme results to get the typical performance.
In general, therefore, using comparable competitions with consistent competitors, the 2012/13 season has seen an increase in marks of about 6%. Teams that did far better than that made great strides in their performance against the higher base score dictated by this year’s elements.
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