Recap: 2023 World Junior Championships
by Anne Calder | Pictures by Robin Ritoss
The 2023 World Junior Determine Skating Championships protocols are actually recorded within the ISU historical past books. The WinSport Occasion Centre in Calgary, Alberta Canada hosted the forty seventh competitors, February 27 – March 5.
The Rhythm Dance roster started with 30 groups representing 22 nations. On the finish of the session, twenty groups superior to the Free Dance.
Prior to every Press Convention, small medals have been awarded by the Referee to the highest three groups in every phase (RD/FD). Two ice dance groups headed dwelling with three medals per accomplice – CZE and KOR. A medal ceremony was additionally held on the ice on the conclusion of the competitors adopted by the enjoying of the gold medalists’ nationwide anthem.
Historical past was made on the 2023 occasion when CZE and KOR medaled for the primary time on the World Junior Championships.
Rhythm Dance
Mrazkova & Mrazek have been the one staff to earn an ideal (YYYY / YYYY) for his or her eight Argentine Tango key factors. The rotational elevate and his twizzle additionally earned degree 4. Dancing Tango to “A Evaristo” and Paso Doble to “Espana Cani”, the siblings earned a 71.19 rating, falling in need of their private greatest by a skinny .68 factors.
“We all know that we are able to do higher, however we did a sort of protected program, which is nice,” Mrazkova famous. “We simply wished to do what we have been working towards and to take pleasure in this system, and that’s it.”
Lim & Quan danced a fast-paced Milonga to “Primavera Portena”. The twizzles, second Argentine Tango sample, rotational elevate and each midline step sequences earned degree 4. The private greatest 71.08 rating topped their latest Junior Grand Prix Remaining rating by virtually seven factors.
“I’m comfortable that the arduous work we put into our technical elements – as an example the step sequence [both level 4] and sample dance – paid off,” Quan stated. ”We’re actually comfortable we acquired our ranges in the present day. We did wish to beat our private rating.”
Bekker & Hernandez scored a private greatest 68.89 with Flamenco and Tango picks by Roni Benise. The duo earned degree 4 for the rotational elevate, second Argentine Tango sample, her midline step and his twizzle,
“For such an intense program, it’s truly a lot enjoyable to skate,” Hernandez stated. “Now we have these little moments scattered via the place we catch every others’ eyes – sure it’s intense – however we get vitality from one another in these moments. In the present day we discovered these moments; we linked. We had a good time from starting to finish. We’re comfortable.”
Bashynska & Beaumont (CAN) have been fourth. Their Spanish Waltz efficiency to “Espana” and the “Tango Grande” from The Nice Gatsby acquired a private greatest 68.00 rating. The opening midline sequence footwork and twizzles earned degree 4 as did the closing rotational elevate. The Argentine Tango patterns acquired ranges 1 and a pair of. The Junior Grand Prix Remaining gold medalists have been nonetheless solely lower than a degree out of podium vary.
’This isn’t a setback,’’ Bashynska stated. ’’Maybe it may be slightly profit for us. It is going to put much less strain on us for the free dance which is our stronger efficiency. We plan to return again tomorrow (Saturday).’’
Fradji & Fourneaux (FRA) scored a private greatest 65.81 for his or her Tango efficiency to Gringo Nr.1 by Tango for 3, organized by Hugo Chouinard. The twizzles, straight line elevate and second Argentine Tango sample have been degree 4. Each midline step sequences have been degree 3.
Free Dance
The panel of judges was launched. The order and a few people have been totally different from the Rhythm Dance. The primary group of athletes was introduced. The groups competed in reverse order of their Rhythm Dance standing.
Mrazkova & Mrazek danced a strong efficiency to “Surrounded” and “The Coronary heart of a King” from The Man within the Iron Masks soundtrack and earned the primary Junior World title and medal for the Czech Republic. The twizzles, rotational elevate and dance spin have been degree 4; the round and one foot step plus curve elevate earned degree 3. Each the 106.17 phase and whole 177.36 have been private greatest scores.
“The rhythm dance for us was not so nice as a result of we have been nervous; we have been scared to do a mistake,” Mrazek stated. “We tried to be extra chilled within the free dance, and I feel we did it higher in the present day.”
“We actually really feel comfortable about what we had in the present day. For me, it hasn’t sunk in but,” Quan stated. “We felt humorous dancing in entrance of a giant crowd like this.”
Bashynska & Beaumont (CAN) scored 101.13 for his or her charming interpretation of “Anna’s Theme” from The Pink Violin by John Corigliano and Elegie: O doux Printemps d’autrefois by Jules Massenet. Their lifts, dance spin and her twizzle have been degree 4; the diagonal step and his twizzle earned degree 3. The Canadian Junior Champions slipped into third place by a .06 margin and took dwelling their second consecutive Junior World bronze medal.
On the Press Convention, Bashynska applauded all of the medalists plus the British staff. “I’m clearly very comfortable to finish up on the rostrum, and I’m very happy with ourselves and of everyone else right here. Additionally to Phebe and James [who narrowly finished fourth behind the Canadians and off the podium]. It’s solely proper to present everyone credit score for the way far all of us got here. It’s been a protracted and arduous season for all of us.”
Bekker & Hernandez (GBR) danced a dramatic presentation of Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons that earned degree 4 twizzles, lifts, and dance spin. On the Blended Zone, Hernandez referenced Bekker’s latest sickness and his father’s dying two weeks in the past. He famous that below the circumstances, they have been extremely happy with what they have been capable of do. The private greatest 100.18 phase and 169.07 whole scores assured the British Junior Champions fourth place.
Leah Neset & Artem Markelov (USA) vaulted from seventh to fifth with an exhilarating and highly effective dance to Pirates of Caribbean. The twizzles, dance spin, and lifts earned degree 4. The USA Junior Champions’ Rhythm Dance (64.01), Free Dance (98.58) and Whole (162,59) have been all private greatest scores.
Ice Chips
The rostrum groups will all be shifting as much as the senior ranks subsequent season. They shared their expectations.
- Katerina Mrazkova: “We don’t have any expectations. It’s a totally new class for us.”
Daniel Mrazek: “After all sooner or later we wish to be the perfect. We don’t know the way it’s going to be subsequent season, so we’ll work arduous like final yr. We’ll attempt to enhance every thing – our dangerous sides and our good sides.” - Hannah Lim: “We’re a bit nervous as a result of we now have plenty of examples at our college (I.AM), and they’re all actually superb senior skaters. I’m glad they’re there so we are able to look as much as them. I’m nervous, but in addition very excited.”
- Nadiia Bashynska: “We don’t actually have a selection. Now we have to maneuver up. We’re very excited and looking out ahead to displaying a brand new facet of ourselves, clearly stepping up our sport and dealing arduous.”
- Peter Beaumont: “Final yr we have been type of debating about it, however I’m glad that we stayed junior one other yr. Now it feels proper for us to maneuver up. I’m wanting ahead to a little bit of Samba and ‘80s’ (music for senior RD) subsequent yr.”
Choreographic Aspect Highest Whole Scores:
- Choreographic Character Step Sequence: Leah Neset & Artem Markelov (USA) – 3.95
- Choreographic Sliding Motion: Nadiia Bashynska & Peter Beaumont (CAN) – 3.83
World Junior Championship Medalists Teaching at 2023 World Junior Championships:
- Marie-France Dubreuil & Bruno Yvars (CAN) 1990 (bronze)
- Elena Khaliavina Dostatni & Maxim Shabalin (RUS) 2001 (bronze), 2002 (silver)
- Sylwia Nowak & Sebastian Kolasiński (POL) 1993 (silver), 1994 (gold)
- Tatiana Gladkova & Igor Shpilband (USSR) 1982 (silver), 1983 (gold)
- Anastasia Gorshkova & Ilia Tkachenko (RUS) 2005 (bronze)
The 2024 World Junior Championships can be held in Taipei Metropolis, Taiwan. The allotments per nation:
3 – Canada, Czech Republic, United States
2 – Cyprus, France, Nice Britain, Korea
1 – All different ISU nations
