Above: Vadym Kolesnik effortlessly carries Emilea Zingas across the ice at the Finlandia Trophy. Photo credit: Getty Images
Team USA’s Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik posted the third-best free dance score en route to a fifth-place finish on the final day of the Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki, Finland, the fifth of six competitions on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
Emily Chan and Spencer Howe also claimed fifth place in pairs.
Zingas and Kolesnik’s fluid and powerful free dance to “Epilogue” by Olafur Arnalds and “Lost It to Trying” by Son Lux was highlighted by subtle movements and unique positions. The 2023 U.S. pewter medalists performed three Level 4 lifts, a Level 4 spin and a diagonal step sequence that produced 10.67 points. They finished with an overall score of 189.48 and a free dance total of 116.76 points.
The Michigan-based team matched their fifth-place finish earlier this season at Skate Canada International.
Their teammates in Novi, Eva Pate and Logan Bye, placed seventh with an overall score of 180.35 and a free skate total of 107.77 points. The highlight of their program was a Level 4 curve lift that received 13.78 points.
Oona Brown and Gage Brown finished eighth with 176.57 points overall; they posted a free skate score of 103.22.
In pairs, Chan and Howe produced an overall score of 174.40. The Boston-area team performed their free skate to “Io Ci Sarò” by Andrea Bocelli, which included a Level 4 reverse lasso lift that received a program-best 8.40 points. They received a free skate score of 115.47.
Rounding out their Grand Prix debut, Naomi Williams and Lachlan Lewer finished eighth with an overall score of 153.54 and a free skate total of 101.04 points.
For full results from Finlandia Trophy, visit the 2024 Grand Prix Series Competition Central.
