Photo Credit KrPhotogs Photography
By Abby Farrell
The April issue of SKATING magazine hit mailboxes last week. Here are five stories to check out.
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31 Flavors: Haydenettes Show Their Love for Skating in Vegas
The Haydenettes further cemented themselves as the most decorated synchronized skating team in U.S. history by winning their 31st title overall and 14th straight at the 2024 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in February in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team produced season-best scores to punch its ticket to the World Championships. The Haydenettes reflect on their “Who Wants to Live Forever” by the Tenors free skate and how it has taken on a new meaning as they learn to enjoy every moment and not take anything for granted. The Skyliners joined the Haydenettes at Worlds following their silver-medal effort in Las Vegas.
Teams Elite Sweeps Juvenile Through Junior at Synchro Champs
Teams Elite swept every division, from juvenile to junior, at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. The intermediate team’s disco-themed program earned a personal-best score, while the juvenile team’s happy birthday-themed program garnered the team out from Northbrook, Illinois, the top spot on the podium. Teams Elite novice took home their fourth U.S. title with their “Riverdance”-style program that broke the 100-point mark. But Team’s Elite’s win streak didn’t end there. After failing to earn a spot on the World Junior team last season, Teams Elite made a triumphant return to the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships to win the junior title and secure their spot at the World Junior Championships.
A Night to Remember: Hamilton Celebrates 40 Years of Going for Gold
Many may remember watching Scott Hamilton stand atop the podium to receive his gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games. Forty years later, to celebrate the anniversary, Hamilton hosted a fundraiser at Bridge Park in New York City for the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, established as a national entity in 2014 to fund cancer research. For Hamilton, the fight to find a cure for cancer is personal as he is personally battling brain cancer; his mother passed away from melanoma and he has also lost two of his grandparents to the disease. The night featured Hamilton reminiscing about his Olympic triumph and an ice show with special guests like 2022 Olympic champion Nathan Chen, 2022 U.S. champion Mariah Bell and 2023 NHK Trophy silver medalist Lindsay Thorngren. The festivities raised more than $40,000 for CARES.
National Skating Month Celebrated from Coast to Coast
Every January, dozens of U.S. Figure Skating clubs and Learn to Skate USA® programs around the country host events celebrating a shared love of skating in honor of National Skating Month. Each year features a unique theme, and this year U.S. Figure Skating encouraged participants to “Skate to Superpowers.” Participants take skating to new heights with fun events throughout the month, including free public skating sessions, exhibitions from local skaters, giveaways, games and activities for kids and more.
Virginia Ice Theatre Adaptive Team to Compete at Nation’s Cup
The Virginia Ice Theatre will make history this month as the first U.S. adaptive skating team to represent Team USA at an international event at Nations’ Cup in Bordeaux, France, on April 25. The team was formed seven years ago and has slowly grown over the years, with some of its original members still competing. The team will send eight skaters to France who are looking forward to the unique opportunity.
