The Helsinki Rockettes did it again, and soared to the top of the podium at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships for the first time in 14 years. Skating in front of a sold-out hometown crowd at Helsinki Ice Hall, the Rockettes delivered a breathtaking performance that secured their fourth World Championship title in one of the tightest finishes in recent history. Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) ©International Skating Union (ISU) Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) golden after 14 years It was a showdown for the ages between the top two Finnish teams. With Team Unique laying down a stunning performance to “Cell Block Tango” and posting a season’s best 156.98 points in the Free Skating, the pressure was squarely on the Helsinki Rockettes, who skated last. Rising to the occasion, the Rockettes dazzled with a high-speed, high-impact routine set to “Smooth Criminal” and “You Are Digging Your Grave,” showcasing flawless elements including twizzles, intricate intersections, and a powerful pair element. The crowd erupted as the Rockettes posted 155.88 points,just shy of Team Unique in the Free Skating, but their overall total of 235.37 points edged out their compatriots by a razor-thin 1.08 margin. For a moment, the team stood frozen in suspense, eyes locked on the scoreboard, before bursting into joyful celebration. It marked the Rockettes’ first World gold since 2011 and their 14th overall World 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 commented. “In the short program, the first time they called our name and then we heard the crowd go crazy. That was a feeling we could not have anticipated, that was amazing,” she added. Their “Smooth Criminal” Free Skating has an unusual ending when the entire team crouches down on the ice in front of the boards. “In our ending pose, we go up to the judges and then we disappear. That is our favorite part of the program,” Tikkinen explained. Team Unique (FIN) ©International Skating Union (ISU) Team Unique Takes Silver with Stunning Free Skating Team Unique put out an incredible performance of their “Cell Block Tango”. They were sharp, they were confident and they were fast. The Finns impressed especially with their group lift and intersections and did not set a foot wrong and got a huge seasons best of 156.98 points. They earned the small gold medal in the Free Skating but they remained in second place overall with 234.29 points to win their fourth ISU 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. She added that they never had felt such a warm and positive energy from the crowd before. Bronze for the Haydenettes (USA) The Haydenettes once more proved their consistency and class, skating a lyrical and emotionally resonant Free Program to “Eleanor Rigby.” The Americans posted a season’s best of 148.24 points, earning a total score of 224.77 and securing their seventh World medal. The Haydenettes (USA) ©International Skating Union (ISU) "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. "We are proud of our skate tonight,” she continued. “We took the ice with a very calm energy and felt confident going into our final performance. We felt no pressure going into this competition and went in with the mindset of staying together and delivering what we do every day in practice. Being able to skate our best we had all season was very special and we are super proud of ourselves." Canada’s Les Suprêmes Fall Just Short of Podium Defending champions Les Suprêmes (CAN) fought back in the Free Skating. Sitting in fifth following the Short Program, the three-time ISU World Champions had nothing to lose and attacked their Free Skating to “Exogenesis Symphony”, “Ancient Order” and “Human” to score a seasons best of 150.91 points. The Canadians ranked third in the Free Skating but finished off the podium in fourth place at 219.41 points. Strong Performances from Top Contenders Nova Senior (CAN) delivered another excellent performance but slipped to fifth at 209.07 points. Ice on Fire (ITA) scored a seasons best of 196.26 to finish sixth, their best result so far at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official event page. Follow the event on social media using the hashtag: #SynchroSkating. A Look at Synchronized Skating Originally known as Precision Skating, Synchronized Skating emerged in the 1950s and has since evolved into a highly technical and dynamic discipline of figure skating. It showcases speed, intricate formations, complex footwork, and breathtaking lifts, performed in perfect unison. Each team consists of 16 skaters, with up to four alternates. This year, 20 teams and 443 skaters from 16 ISU Members competed in Helsinki, marking the fourth time the city has hosted the prestigious event since its inception in 2000. Where to Watch the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2025 Please visit Where to Watch to find out where you can watch the Championships

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING

Helsinki Rockettes Strike Gold at Home - First World Title in 14 Years

06 Apr 2025

Gold medalist Team Helsinki Rockettes (FIN), silver medalist Team Unique (FIN) and bronze medalkist Team Haydenettes (USA) at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2025 ©International Skating Union (ISU)

The Helsinki Rockettes did it again, and soared to the top of the podium at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships for the first time in 14 years. Skating in front of a sold-out hometown crowd at Helsinki Ice Hall, the Rockettes delivered a breathtaking performance that secured their fourth World Championship title in one of the tightest finishes in recent history.

A group of women in black dresses on ice with a crowd watchingAI-generated content may be incorrect.

Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) ©International Skating Union (ISU)

Helsinki Rockettes (FIN) golden after 14 years

It was a showdown for the ages between the top two Finnish teams. With Team Unique laying down a stunning performance to “Cell Block Tango” and posting a season’s best 156.98 points in the Free Skating, the pressure was squarely on the Helsinki Rockettes, who skated last. Rising to the occasion, the Rockettes dazzled with a high-speed, high-impact routine set to “Smooth Criminal” and “You Are Digging Your Grave,” showcasing flawless elements including twizzles, intricate intersections, and a powerful pair element.

The crowd erupted as the Rockettes posted 155.88 points,just shy of Team Unique in the Free Skating, but their overall total of 235.37 points edged out their compatriots by a razor-thin 1.08 margin. For a moment, the team stood frozen in suspense, eyes locked on the scoreboard, before bursting into joyful celebration. It marked the Rockettes’ first World gold since 2011 and their 14th overall World 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 commented.

“In the short program, the first time they called our name and then we heard the crowd go crazy. That was a feeling we could not have anticipated, that was amazing,” she added.

Their “Smooth Criminal” Free Skating has an unusual ending when the entire team crouches down on the ice in front of the boards.

“In our ending pose, we go up to the judges and then we disappear. That is our favorite part of the program,” Tikkinen explained.

A group of women on ice skatingAI-generated content may be incorrect.

Team Unique (FIN) ©International Skating Union (ISU)

Team Unique Takes Silver with Stunning Free Skating

Team Unique put out an incredible performance of their “Cell Block Tango”. They were sharp, they were confident and they were fast. The Finns impressed especially with their group lift and intersections and did not set a foot wrong and got a huge seasons best of 156.98 points. They earned the small gold medal in the Free Skating but they remained in second place overall with 234.29 points to win their fourth ISU 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.

She added that they never had felt such a warm and positive energy from the crowd before.

Bronze for the Haydenettes (USA)

The Haydenettes once more proved their consistency and class, skating a lyrical and emotionally resonant Free Program to “Eleanor Rigby.” The Americans posted a season’s best of 148.24 points, earning a total score of 224.77 and securing their seventh World medal.

A group of women ice skatingAI-generated content may be incorrect.

The Haydenettes (USA) ©International Skating Union (ISU)

"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.

"We are proud of our skate tonight,” she continued. “We took the ice with a very calm energy and felt confident going into our final performance. We felt no pressure going into this competition and went in with the mindset of staying together and delivering what we do every day in practice. Being able to skate our best we had all season was very special and we are super proud of ourselves."

Canada’s Les Suprêmes Fall Just Short of Podium

Defending champions Les Suprêmes (CAN) fought back in the Free Skating. Sitting in fifth following the Short Program, the three-time ISU World Champions had nothing to lose and attacked their Free Skating to “Exogenesis Symphony”, “Ancient Order” and “Human” to score a seasons best of 150.91 points. The Canadians ranked third in the Free Skating but finished off the podium in fourth place at 219.41 points.

Strong Performances from Top Contenders

Nova Senior (CAN) delivered another excellent performance but slipped to fifth at 209.07 points. Ice on Fire (ITA) scored a seasons best of 196.26 to finish sixth, their best result so far at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.

For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official event page. Follow the event on social media using the hashtag: #SynchroSkating.

A Look at Synchronized Skating

Originally known as Precision Skating, Synchronized Skating emerged in the 1950s and has since evolved into a highly technical and dynamic discipline of figure skating. It showcases speed, intricate formations, complex footwork, and breathtaking lifts, performed in perfect unison. Each team consists of 16 skaters, with up to four alternates.

This year, 20 teams and 443 skaters from 16 ISU Members competed in Helsinki, marking the fourth time the city has hosted the prestigious event since its inception in 2000.