Les Zoulous during their free program. (Credits: Olivier Brajon - Patinage Magazine 2019)

Three junior and one senior team competed this weekend in Dunkirk, France for the "Elite" national championships.

Usually reserved for the senior categories (in all disciplines), this edition of the "Elite" national championships in France were open to junior synchronized skating teams. It is a good thing for synchro representation in the country since Les Zoulous were (until then) the only team taking part of the competition.

The competition took place in the brand new ice rink in Dunkirk. On Thursday the teams got to skate their short program. In the junior category Les Jeanne d'Arc won, skating to Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" (40.72 points). Less than 4 points behind Les Zazous got the best technical score of the category. Completing the podium is Les Chrysalides with 34.98 points, improving their score from their last competition (Lumière Cup).

For the seniors, no surprise, Les Zoulous earned 54.12 points, which is 13.25 points above their Lumière Cup score, where the team had to replace one skater right after the official practice.

The next day was free program day for everyone. 

Skating in first, Les Chrysalides showed their "Mirror" free program to the crowd. They took the third place with an encouraging score of 68.47 points. In second place Les Zazous skated a solid "Magic" free program earning 72.15 points. Les Jeanne d'Arc widen the gap with a free program score of 83.51 points and won their 5th national title in a row. They showed a strong "Basket Ball" program despite two unfortunate falls in the end. 

Ending the competition day, Les Zoulous earned their 19th national title (and 9th in a row). Their "Paris" program pleased both the audience and the judges and scored a 103.47 points, improving their overall score of 21.94 points from their last performance at the Lumière Cup.

On Saturday Les Jeanne d'Arc got to participate in the traditional ending gala, with all the champions. The gala is a great ice festival with performances of ice dance, figure skating but also short track races and freestyle skating. The local team Les Comètes also got the chance to take part of the gala.