Quebec teams earn pair of national titles at Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships
Les Suprêmes looking to dethrone nine-time senior champion NEXXICE in Waterloo
WATERLOO, Ont. – Defending world champion NEXXICE will have some work to do if they are to win their tenth consecutive Canadian synchronized skating title.
Les Suprêmes of Quebec are in position to end the Burlington, Ont.-based powerhouse’s record run after scoring 74.23 in their senior short program Saturday at the 2016 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships. NEXXICE is in second spot (69.47) followed by Meraki of Central Ontario (59.98).
It was a golden sweep for Quebec teams as the first wave of medals were handed out Saturday in Waterloo.
In the Open division, Quebec’s NOVA claimed their sixth straight national title with a total score of 144.78, coming from behind to beat their provincial counterparts, Les Suprêmes (141.72). NEXXICE finished in third spot with 138.47 points.
Cassiopée, also hailing from Quebec, were golden in the Intermediate division with 102.21 points, edging out NEXXICE (101.25). Quebec’s Rythmiks Lanaudière placed third (98.36).
“We were really proud with what we did,” said Emilie Campbell-Renaud, who shares NOVA Open co-captain duties with Vicky Peloffy.
“It was a mental game after our first skate, we had a few stumbles, and we wanted to come back strong today. We just skated with our hearts and with passion and did what we wanted to do.”
In the junior short program, NEXXICE set the early pace with 62.63. Les Suprêmes (59.58) holds down second, followed by Les Pirouettes (54.32).
Les Suprêmes leads in the novice category heading into Sunday’s second free program, scoring 72.33 in their opening skate.
A pair of emotional Skate Canada Hall of Fame ceremonies also highlighted the opening two days of competition.