insynch NOISE M AKIN G
Finnish fans back Haydenettes, Saga at Worlds by AUDREY MCQUADE, A MEMBER OF THE HAYDENETTES
M
y favorite part of inter- national competition is looking into the stands
and seeing American flags waving in support of Team USA. It gives me confidence and pride for my coun- try as I enter the ice. At this year’s World Synchro-
nized Skating Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, the section of American flags was inspiring, but what truly amazed me was seeing hundreds of Finnish flags waving in unison with the red, white and blue. We had the support of two nations. Upon arrival in Sweden on
Tuesday morning, the fact that I was competing at a World Cham- pionships had not really hit me yet. It felt like any other international competition. I started to realize the magnitude of competing at Worlds when we got to the hotel. Every team stayed together at the Gothia Towers. Walking around the lobby I saw girls in jackets labeled with the names of countries all around the world. At meal times, the teams
would come together in one din- ing room. I heard many different languages and observed how teams from other countries interacted with each other. Young men and women from
around the globe reconnected with old friends whom they only get to see when competition brings them together. It reminded me of one big synchro‒family reunion. For the few days before the competition began, we were just young athletes, all from different places, enjoying
The Haydenettes show their patriotic side after capturing the World bronze medal.
a nice break from the realities of school and work. On Friday, the atmosphere changed. Everyone was friendly, but the air was intensely thick with pre‒competition jitters and excitement. Tat night, we entered the ice with one goal: to skate the best short program of our season. Dur- ing our warm-up block, the arena was silent. Tis peace gave me time to reflect on how far I have come with team skating. I thought back
48 JUNE/JULY 2012
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