There’s a new world champion in synchronized skating. Finland’s Helsinki Rockettes, who have medaled at the last four World Synchronized Skating Championships, climbed to the top of the podium April 5 to win their first World title in 14 years. They did in front of a sold-out hometown crowd at the Helsinki Ice Hall, which hosted the 2025 World Synchronized Skating Championships.
The Helsinki Rockettes were leaders after the short program, with a two-point lead over Team Unique, also of Finland. In their “Smooth Criminal” free skate, the Helsinki Rockettes showcased a lot of speed and intricate intersections. The highlight of the program is the ending, where all members of the team finished in a squat position at the boards in front of the judges. They earned a free skate score of 155.88, which was second in the free skate. They earned a total score of 235.37, which was enough to claim the gold medal.
“I was definitely dreaming of being in the team and I was watching in the crowd in 2011, so it’s an honor to be here today,” Eveliina Tikkinen from the Helsinki Rockettes said after the free skate.
Tikkinen also talked about the team’s unique ending.
“In our ending pose, we go up to the judges and then we disappear. That is our favorite part of the program,” Tikkinen explained.
The winners of the free skate were Team Unique, also of Finland. Their Chicago “Cell Block Tango” free skate was sharp and fast, and contained great intersections and group lift. They earned a free skate score of 156.98, finishing just 1.10 points ahead of the Helsinki Rockettes. They took the silver medal with an overall score of 234.29, just 1.08 points out of first. This marked the team’s return to the world podium after winning bronze in 2023. It also is their fourth overall World medal.
“Of course we are really, really happy with our free skate and overall the weekend was so amazing and we can be very, very proud of ourselves,” Emilia Balistreri from Team Unique noted.
The Haydenettes of the United States, who won silver last year, found themselves on the world podium for the second straight year. In third after the short program, the team delivered an emotional, lyrical “Eleanor Rigby” free skate that included level fours on six elements, including their intersections, group lift and twizzles element. They earned a free skate score of 148.24, which was fourth in the free skate. They still managed to win the bronze with a score of 224.77. This marks the team’s seventh World medal.
“It means everything being able to continue the trajectory from last year and [this medal] holds a special place in our hearts. We are looking forward to next season,” said Carmela Mariz Olarte from the Haydenettes.
Les Suprêmes of Canada, who won the last three World Championships, were looking for an unprecedented fourth consecutive title. Unfortunately, two falls in the synchronized spin and in the move element in their short program were costly and the team from Montreal found themselves in fifth place heading into in the free skate. They were 11 points out of first place. In their Exogenesis Symphony,” “Ancient Order” and “Human” free skate, the team earned level fours on six elements including their group lift, twizzles element and move element. They earned a a free skate score of 150.91, which was third in the free skate, but they finished off the podium with a score of 219.41.
Fellow Canadians Team Nova finished in fifth place for the second straight year, while Italy’s Ice on Fire ended up in sixth place, their best result at the World Synchronized Skating Championships.
Team USA’s Skyliners finished in eighth place and earned their fourth top 10 placement at the World Synchronized Skating Championships
For full results from the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2025, visit https://results.isu.org/results/season2425/wsysc2025/CAT001RS.htm
