The majestic Hala Olivia rink is hosting the 2026 World Junior Championships this weekend. 26—matching the number of teams entered this year, representing 21 countries. Canada, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States each have two teams.
The competition opened in grand style in the late afternoon in front of a warm, enthusiastic crowd.
Helsinki Fintastic will start the Free Skating with a 2-point lead
Helsinki Fintastic (FIN), 2025 World Junior silver medalists, delivered a flawless, high-energy and very fast program, earning Level 4 on four of the five elements. In the Kiss & Cry, the team erupted with joy when they saw their score.
The other cheer came from Skyliners (USA). Skating last, the American team topped the Finns' technical score with a perfect, confident performance.
Canada's Les SuprĂŞmes sit in provisional third after a clean skate. The pivoting block, the final element of the program, received only Level 2, which may also have cost the team a few valuable points.
But nothing is decided yet at this stage. Finland's other team, Valley Bay Synchro, is in 4th place, very close to the podium after a Short Program worthy of the very best, with no major mistakes.
Reigning world champions, Teams Elite skated a deep, powerful program to "I will always love you". The only mistake came late in the program with a fall on the Twizzle Element, which unfortunately cost the American team points.
Teams to watch
On this second day, every detail will matter in the fight for the podium—and even world gold. A great battle to watch is shaping up between Switzerland's Starlight and Team Icicles (GBR). The same goes for Cool Dreams, who finished within a whisker of the Czech team Kometa.
The strong representation, with many nations entered, makes these Worlds a particularly compelling event to follow.
Competition begins on Saturday at 2 p.m. (local time). The world champions will be known shortly before 7 p.m.