Athletes are special beings. They are fueled by determination and passion. Artistic skaters spend thousands of hours training to get perfect technical elements. They know the magical feeling of when their wheels land on the exit of a perfectly executed jump. They know skaters don’t get dizzy practicing spins…they want fast, perfect and more. And add to that the equal amount of training and commitment to the artistry of the sport.
More often than not, elite level athletes dream of hearing their name announced as World Champion. To make it even better they dream of winning a World Championships in their home country with their anthem playing. For the champions in Senior Free Skating this is no longer a dream, but a reality. A reality of adding their name to the legendary list of the greatest skaters in history.
In the Senior Ladies Free Skating it was a changing of the guard with all new faces taking their rightful place. The door was waiting for someone to come charging through it. That someone was Bendetta Altezza of Italy. As her name was called to the floor for Long Program she put her hands to her head as if to remind herself to this is her moment. In her first year of Senior she can now add World Champion to her name. The moment she landed the Double Axle near the end of her program she knew the gold was in her reach and exploded with joy for her final two elements. Skating to the music of Maria Callas, Altezza earned 198.14 points. Adding another Italian flag to the podium was Gioia Fiori with the Silver Medal and 179.31 Fiori filled the venue with her alluring style in her well choreographed Long Program to Toxic Love. This was also Fiori’s debut at the Senior level. Winning the Bronze Medal was Elna Francés of Spain. To the music of Vindication Upon Us, Francés knew the task before her and won 165.25 points to pull up to a podium spot.
Senior Ladies Free Skating
1 Bendetta AltezzaITA198.14
2 Gioia FioriITA179.31
3 Elna FrancésESP165.25
Senior Mens Free Skating is always one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year. The champion is very often considered the king. The new king is Alessandro Liberatore of Italy with the Gold Medal to the music of The Impossible Dream…The Olympic Dream. Liberatore put every ounce of his soul and energy into his Long Program to earn 240.02 points while bringing his home country audience to their feet. Liberatore is a balanced skater. There is strength in both his technical elements that finds equality in his unique artistry laced with exuberance and passion. Entertaining the crowd with I’m Just Ken and winning the Silver Medal was #2 in the World Skate Rankings Diogo Craveiro of Portugal. He skated with enjoyment and created his own blockbuster moment while executing seven triple jumps to capture 238.31 points. Spain’s Lucas Yanez joined with podium while earning the Bronze Medal to the music of Greek God. Yanez is a technician with his remarkable jumping ability landing him with 230.56 points.
Senior Mens Free Skating
1 Alessandro LiberatoreITA240.02
2 Diogo CraveiroPOR238.31
3 Lucas YanezESP 230.56
The Free Skating events have concluded in Rimini. Personal bests were achieved, flags waved, and the spirit of why sport is important came shining through. The evolution of the sport has been astounding in recent years. Triple jumps are performed with ease, spin combinations are highly complex and dynamic. The programs are intricate and beautiful.
It was two nights jammed with everything that makes Artistic Skating the best sport in the world. It is in the these moments that everyone in the venue can feel it straight in their heart. Whether it is heart pounding or heart stopping, all the emotions were happening during the Senior Free Skating.
Congratulations to all the Free Skaters that were part of the 2024 World Skate Games.
Competition is daily at Fiera de Rimini. Next up in Artistic Medals for the World Skate Games is Junior and Senior Couples Dance. Junior Couples Free Dance starts on Sunday, September 15 at 17:55 CET. Senior Couples follow at 19:35 CET.
Catch all the action live at www.worldskate.tv