Les Suprêmes lead 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

ZAGREB, Croatia – Les Suprêmes from St-Leonard, Que., are in first place after Friday’s short program at the 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup synchronized skating competition.

The first of two Canadian entries leads with 63.71 points with Russia second at 62.02 and Finland third at 61.11.

The Les Suprêmes skaters are Jessica Allaire, Alessia Arsenault, Amélie Béland, Julia Bernardo, Rachel Maria Cecere, Alisia Cirella, Emily Degni, Béatrice Coté Gomes De Oliveira, Marie-Ève Deschesnes, Gabrielle Gauthier-Roy, Marie-Michèle Gauthier-Roy, Kathleen Grandchamps, Alessia Hart-Lewis, Jessisa Giovanna Iacono, Nadia Lemay, Christina Morin, Alexia Nadai-Plante, Andréanne Paradis, Alessia Malissa Polletta and Florence Poulin.

Canadian junior silver medallists, Les Suprêmes qualified for the event by winning Skate Canada Central Ontario’s annual Winterfest competition. They have previously competed at this event in 2014, winning silver, and in 2012, winning bronze. Last year, they won the bronze medal at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, they won gold at the 2016 French Cup. Les Suprêmes junior are coached by Marilyn Langlois, assisted by Pascal Denis, Amélie Brochu, and Kassandra Patenaude.

NEXXICE from Burlington, Ont., are in seventh spot at 54.25. The NEXXICE skaters are Madina Asrorova, Alyssa Finocchi, Alycia Giro, Taylor Johnston, Anna Ljungberg, Caroline Marr, Emiko Marr, Shayna McFadden, Jessica Morgan, Scarlet Panning-Stinson, Angie Qi, Jeian Simbahon, Samantha Smith, Nicole Suszek, Alessandra Toso, Nadejda Vladco, Kayla Walker, Brooklyn Williamson, Emily Wright and Olivia Xie.

Canadian champions NEXXICE junior won silver at Skate Canada Central Ontario’s Winterfest. NEXXICE junior previously competed at this event in 2012, placing sixth. Last year, the representatives of the Burlington Skating Centre placed fifth at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, NEXXICE junior won silver at the 2016 Neuchâtel Trophy. NEXXICE junior are coached by Trish Perdue-Mills.

Competition ends Saturday.

Information: 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup