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Canadian Team Force Claims Gold in Oberstdorf


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Canadian Team Force Skated to Podium Top (Credits: Roy Ng - 2023)

“Don’t underestimate the Force!” Darth Vader was right. Team Force from Canada proved themselves worthy of gold medals in Oberstdorf, Germany, where adult skaters from five countries competed this weekend.

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ISU International Adult Figure Skating Competition returned to Oberstdorf, Germany, on 15 to 20 May 2023 with a synchro event on Saturday afternoon. This time five synchro teams from Canada, Finland, the USA, Switzerland and Sweden showcased their best to international audience on-site and online.

The champion Team Force was formed ad hoc with skaters from different skating clubs of Ontario province to compete in this international competition. We first met them in 2018 (review it here) when they won the silver. In March 2023, they formed a team again to skate their "Unchained Melody" program. It was smoothly executed with intricate fine details that won approval from judges (48.83 points). The team can return to homeland proudly with well-earned gold medals.


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Team Force wheeling their way to podium top. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2023)

The remaining spots on the podium were hotly contested. Long-time participant of the event Finnish Team Antique (40.97) edged out the Americans KC Momentum (40.95) by thin hair.

KC Momentum is the first American team ever to join the Oberstdorf edition of the competition. The USA team scored higher technical scores, while the Finns had higher Program Component scores. From both programs, the audience witnessed choreography incorporating good varieties of holds and uplifting music.


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Team Antique executed their program with full expressions. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2023)


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KC Momentum delighted audience with carefully choregraphed program. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2023)

Swiss team Starlight Diamonds (31.29) and Swedish Team Dizharmony (28.87) also delivered pleasant programs with no falls. The Swiss presented an artistic wheel with a central skater performing spin brilliantly while the Swedish, wearing sharp orange costumes, impressed the audience with joyful expressions.


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Starlight Diamonds with well-timed jumps in the background. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2023)


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Team Dizharmony has many musicians skating with joy! (Credits: Roy Ng - 2023)

The next ISU International Adult Figure Skating Competition will take place in Nashville, Tennessee of the USA from 18 to 22 October 2023.