insynch
I realized how far we had come as a team. Nine months ago, these girls were practically strangers to me. Now, I was leaving Sweden with 19 best friends. About one year ago, I decided
The Haydenettes and Crystallettes thrived in Sweden with the support of the U.S. fans.
to my first synchronized skating competition
(the
Classic in Plymouth, Mass.) al- most a decade ago.
Tanksgiving Tat little girl
did not even know what a World Championships was, or that one existed for synchronized skating. I snapped back to reality when we hit our opening pose. Te audience was still calm, but I was focused and ready skate. We skated our short with pas-
sion and fire. We attacked each el- ement. I remember being excited as we finished our no hold step sequence and transitioned into the last section of our program. Ev- erything came together perfectly. Our skate was clean and we accom- plished our goal. After all the teams competed that night, we were in fourth place. We were pleased with the results. About three points sep- arated us from Team Russia 1, who was in first. After Russia was Swe- den 1 then Canada 1, and behind us were Finland 1 and 2 (last year’s silver medalists and World cham- pions, respectively). It was a huge accomplishment for us to be ahead of the reigning champions, and we were excited about how tight the competition was between the top six teams. Saturday was emotional. We
woke up knowing we had a tough competition ahead of us that night, but also that it would be our last time competing the Lady Gaga pro- gram. We went through our nor- mal competition routine, avoiding the fact that it was the last time this team would be doing it together. Toughts about the end of the sea-
SKATING 49
son were pushed to the back of our brains as we focused on the tight and intense competition atmo- sphere we were heading into. All season we have enjoyed
performing this program. It is fun and energetic. We each transformed into our own version of Lady Gaga and had a blast on the ice. As we completed our first element (the group lifts) the crowd went wild. Te high energy from the stands kept up with our skating through- out the program. Te transition to our no hold step sequence was our favorite part of the program. We expressed the Lady Gaga charac- ter and gave everything to the last element. When we hit our ending pose, I was in tears. I had never had more fun skating a program, yet I realized that the season had come to an end. Following our skate we went back to the locker room and waited patiently for the rest of the teams to compete. It was eerily calm and
quiet. After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened and Saga yelled, “You got the medal!” I will remember this moment forever. Her excitement transferred to
all of us and rushed through the locker room like a wave. Te feel- ings are indescribable. Tere were a few minutes for us to exchange hugs and dry our tears before we had to exit the locker room again for the whirlwind that was awards. We got on the ice and waved to the crowd before stroking into our “H” and doing our final bow of the season. Ten, we skated over to the podium and our medals were presented to us.
After awards, we went back to the hotel for a small party with our parents. At this gathering, Saga awarded each of us with the small silver medal we received for placing second in the free skate. It was spe- cial to have her put a medal around each of our necks. Watching her give each of my teammates a medal,
to move to Boston to attend North- eastern University and skate for the Haydenettes. Tis was a small move compared to the move Saga made about seven years ago that changed her life. She left her coun- try, her family, former teammates, coaches and friends to come coach the Haydenettes. In doing so, she helped build camaraderie between Team USA and Team Finland. She has taught me so much about skat- ing and life in just one year and I look forward to continuing to learn from her. When I see those flags waving, I’m deeply touched to know that the fans from Finland continue to support her just as the Americans support us. She is an in- spiring woman. I am so proud to skate for her, and thankful for every U.S. and Finnish flag that waved for us in the arena at the World Syn- chronized Skating Championships.
Audrey McQuade The fans and teams from Finland waved their flags in support of Team USA and Haydenettes coach Saga Krantz, who hails from Finland.
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