Contact: Jim Flanagan
781-789-8250
Press Release
HAYDEN SYNCHRO TEAMS EXCEL AT REGIONAL COMPETITION
Lexington, MA, – December 12, 2009 – The Hayden Synchronized Skating Teams kicked off the competitive season with strong showings at the 15th Annual Cape Cod Classic skating competition held December 11-12 in Bourne, MA. Six of Hayden’s eight teams entered the regional competition, including the Mini Mates in the Juvenile Division all the way up to the Esprit de Corps team in the Masters Division with all teams capturing medals.
The Mini Mates team, comprised of skaters ages 9-13, led off the competition Friday night in the Juvenile Division. Hayden’s “Juvey” teams over the years have been the most successful team in the division, owing their success to Hayden’s excellent learn-to-skate programs. The team showed its stuff under first year Head Coach Kendra Flanagan by capturing the Bronze Medal in a tightly contested eight team competition.
The Junior Division Lexettes team also had had a strong performance Friday night. They won the Gold Medal in the short program competition, which they followed up with a Silver Medal on Saturday night in the Free Skate or Long Program competition. Also on Saturday, the Novice Division Ice Mates took second place and the Silver Medal. In a surprise to the Ice Mates, Head Coach Saga Krantz announced after the competition that the team would not return home but head to New York City on Sunday to perform at The Pond at Bryant Park in an event sponsored by the retail store Old Navy.
The Haydenettes did not compete in the Bourne Competition, after returning from Michigan the prior weekend where they captured the Gold Medal in the popular Dr. Porter competition. The Dr. Porter Classic is the important kick-off competition for all the leading senior level U.S. teams and a number of top Canadian teams. The Haydenettes showed they are in very good early season form.
Not to be outdone by the younger teams, Hayden’s three Esprit de Corps teams took the Bourne ice and won all three Gold Medals for Head Coach Dede Wilson. The growth of synchro as a sport is evidenced by the number of beginner skaters in Hayden’s programs and importantly the number of adult skaters continuing their love for figure skating by joining team competitions. Hayden this year added on a team in the Open Adult Division and as the team quickly won its first medal.
“The competitive season is now in full swing,” said Saga Krantz, Director of Synchronized Skating for the Hayden teams. “I’m very pleased at what we’ve built over the past few years both for the recreational skater who wants a team sport and of course for our World Class competitive teams.”
“We hope many fans and interested skaters will come out Saturday December 19th as the Hayden skaters including the synchro teams put on their Annual Holiday Show at the Hayden rink. The FREE ice show will start at noon and go until approximately 2:00 p.m.