Nexxice, Les Suprêmes are early leaders at 2018 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

OSHAWA, Ont. – Nexxice from Burlington, Ont., and Les Suprêmes from St-Léonard, Que., are the leaders in senior and junior competition after Friday’s short programs at the 2018 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships.

In the senior event, Nexxice, the defending champions, tabulated 75.86 points with les Suprêmes second at 70.04 and Nova from Brossard, Que., third at 69.12.

“I felt like were giving it everything we had,” said Kelly Britten of Nexxice. “We improved the performance and the speed. Our moves were tight and strong and there was a lot of flow going through them.”

Les Suprêmes also achieved their goals.

“We set out to do what we did in practice and we were successful,” said Suprêmes co-captain Laurie Desilets. “We were happy with all the elements in our program.”

The top two senior teams will earn the chance to represent Canada at the 2018 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships taking place in Stockholm from April 6-7, 2018.

In junior competition, defending champs Les Suprêmes are first after the short program with 62.02, Nexxice is second at 58.12 and Nova third at 44.82.

“We were very calm when we did everything,” said Gracie Letouzel of Les Suprêmes. “We trusted our training in what we had to do.”

Letouzel and her teammate Jessica Iacono agreed on the best element.

“It was our wheel,” said Iacono. “It felt together and clean. We hope to go back and do the best performance we can in the long.”

Nexxice were also pleased with their performance.

“We gave it our all,” said Scarlett Stinson of Nexxice. “We put a lot of hard work into it so it really means a lot to us.”

In Intermediate competition, Meraki from Toronto is first after the first of two free programs with 35.41 followed by Ilderton (Ont.) Intermediate at 34.42 and Les Pirouettes from Laval, Que., at 34.30.

More than 800 skaters from 40 teams are at the event being held at the Tribute Communities Centre.

Competition continues Saturday with the final programs in all three events plus the start of the novice and open categories.

Full results: 2018 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships.