The 2018-19 international synchronized skating campaign is underway, and the U.S. teams are preparing for their events abroad. Twelve junior and senior teams have been selected to compete at six competitions in January and February. In 2018, Team USA brought home, a record, 16 medals — four gold, seven silver, five bronze — including one historic World Junior silver medal by the
Skyliners junior team.
Here's where Team USA is headed this season.
Mozart Cup | Jan. 17-19
The 2018 World Team and two junior teams will venture to Salzburg, Austria. The
Haydenettes and
Skyliners, as well as the junior-level
Skyliners and Hockettes, will kick off their international season.
The
Haydenettes, 2018 U.S. champions, are performing their short program to "Searching for Love" and "Gravity" by Raphael Beau and their free skate to a medley of songs from
The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
The
Skyliners, 2018 U.S. silver medalists, will skate to "What a Wonderful World" by Joseph William Morgan featuring Shadow Royale for their short program, and selections from the soundtrack
Turnadot by Giacomo Puccini and the London Philharmonic Orchestra for their free skate.
Skyliners junior, 2018 U.S. junior champions and World Junior silver medalists, will skate to "Who Wants to Live Forever" by Lindsey Stirling and the Ten Tenors for their short program and will portray the famous
Carmen in their free skate.
The Hockettes, who placed sixth at the 2018 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, set their short program to "Where Do I Begin" by Shirley Bassey. They'll perform their free skate to music from the
Center Stage soundtrack.
"With all the changes happening in the sport, I am looking forward to seeing the new creativity and elements implemented in each program," Haydenette Sharon Neff said. "Every team has a different style to their program this season, so it will be exciting to see what each team brings."
Leon Lurje Trophy | Jan. 25-27
The
Haydenettes travel to Gothenburg, Sweden, as do
Miami University and the junior teams Starlights and
Lexettes.
Miami University, 2018 U.S. bronze medalists, are eager to start their international campaign. The RedHawks will skate to the revamped "Survivor" by 2Wei for the short program and a tango-themed free skate.
The Starlights, 2018 U.S. junior bronze medalists, will perform their short program to "Bird Set Free" by Sia and will portray an angel theme to "Fix You" by Cinematic Pop for their free skate.
"This season we are looking forward to developing a strong and emotional connection with our audience through both of our programs," Starlights and U.S. Figure Skating DREAM member Brittney Rivelli said. "We also hope to inspire the youth of our sport by allowing our passion to shine through our skating."
The
Lexettes, 2018 U.S. junior silver medalists and members of the 2018 World Junior Team, will begin their two-week stint overseas for their international assignments.
Read a full preview of Team USA's international season in the January issue of SKATING magazine.
