News

Day 1 of Budapest Cup 2024: Excitement Begins!

  • By Roy NG
  • JAN 21, 2024

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Haydenettes demonstrated the meaning of team work. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)

The 2024 Budapest Cup is the second of the 2023/24 season Challenger Series events, and it has been highly anticipated since many top teams gathered in Budapest since the last time it was held in 2019. Scores were close between some teams and winners were decided only by the end of the game. So what happened on the first day of the Cup?

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Pre-juvenile
There were nine teams in this category, and the young skaters had fierce competition. The winner, Team Passion (37.87) from Hungary, marginally edged out runners-up Team Frostwork (37.69) also from Hungary and Team Le Soleil A (37.25) from Poland. Team Passion skated with a good demonstration of unison to upbeat music. Team Frostwork and Team Le Soleil A scored higher technically, however, the falls were costly.  Generally speaking, they all performed with good speed and tight formation. 


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Team Passion Pre-juvenile team edged out fellow competitors. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)


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Hungarian Frostwork Pre-juvenile team has polished program.  (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)


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Polish Team Le Soleil A Pre-Juvenile came to Budapest prepared.  (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)

Adults
Attention then turned to the five Adult teams.  Despite a fall during an intersection, which was called Level 3 with pi4, Czechs Team Ice Chicas won the title (56.48) skating to a medley of pop music, including Tina Turner’s “Golden Eye” and “The Best.” Silver medalist Team Thunder (54.04) from Hungary skated to the Lion King soundtrack “He Lives in You” with a matching yellow-orange costume. Both teams performed really well. Second-runner-up Team Ice Fire Adult (44.17) executed their “You Don’t Own Me” program, which was pleasant to watch as well since they were able to showcase the beautiful intricacy of synchro as performed by a full team of 16 skaters.


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Confidence is strong among Team Ice Chicas skaters. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)


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Team Ice Chicas' synchronized jumped to podium top. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)


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Watch out as Team Thunder is coming to you! (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)


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Up in the Air by Team Thunder! (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)

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ISU Senior Short Program
Anticipation for the 13 Senior teams was high and it felt like watching the World Championship early with top teams from many countries competing head on. 

Haydenettes (77.91) from the USA received a huge boost in confidence after winning the Short Program, while Les Suprêmes (77.72) from Canada, Helsinki Rockettes (77.30) and Team Unique (76.31) all have a good chance landing on podium top on Day 2.

Throughout the season, these teams have continuously refined their programs, and so they all presented action-packed, intricate programs to impress judges and audience.  The same can be said about Nexxice (70.43) and Miami University (70.40), who also demonstrated high calibre.

Special mention should go to Cool Dreams Senior from Switzerland (46.56) for making a strong comeback after a hiatus.


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High chance of gold medal for Haydenettes (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)


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Les Suprêmes keeps going strong this season. (Credits: Roy Ng)


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Helsinki Rockettes impressed audience with intricate program.  (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)


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Team Unique: Lift Your Hands High and Let It Be (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)

Day 1 of the Budapest Cup offered a lot of excitement to spectators.  Day 2 will get even more thrilling as Basic Novice, and Junior teams will also take the ice.  Stay tuned for further updates from Jura Synchro.

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