Underneath the night sky of Rimini the stars were shining down on Fiera de Rimini and it was an unforgettable night of skating. Day nine of the 2024 World Skate Games showcased the most daring of disciplines with the Pairs competition. It was a homecoming of sorts for the city of Rimini that has been thriving in Pairs for decades now. This night there was magic in the air.
Pairs skaters are built differently. The word fear doesn’t scare them, it actually intrigues them. If you ask most of the female partners of a team what they like best about skating pairs, the answer is usually the same. They love to fly. The trust between partners is essential. Pairs skaters not only have to skate in unison, they have to think in unison. When they step on the floor they are no longer two people. They are a team. The best pairs skaters in the world never second guess any moment of their program.
If tasked with finding the heartbeat of pairs an easy choice would be Italy. The entire nation of Italy has been churning out champions for years with the city of Rimini providing a large part of the training. The nation has also wrapped their arms around the discipline and has been helping other countries design programs to ensure the future of this very important discipline. The work shows. Nations around the world are improving and reemerging.
In Junior Pairs it was Angelica Polli and Josè Inglese of Italy winning the Gold Medals. Polli and Inglese skated a technically difficult and dynamic program that two Level 4 lifts. To the music of Modern Gothic the team earned 152.63 points with their strong program. The Silver Medalists also had the Italian flag waving. Competing in their first World Championships, Ludovica Pari and Noah Cavallini skated to the Hunger Games. Earning 109.54 points, the team has a bright future ahead. Making Colombia proud is the team of Geraldine Ganan and Isaac Sotomayor. To the music of Time Remix, the team captured 95.50 points and the Bronze Medals to take a step on the podium.
Junior Pairs
1 Polli & Inglese ITA 152.63
2 Pari & Cavallini ITA 109.54
3 Ganan & Sotomayor COL 95.50
It was clear when the last warmup group in Senior Pairs Long Program took the floor something special was about to take place. The crowd was filled with energy and ready to watch the best pairs skaters on Earth. After Short Program there was a mere five one-hundredths of a point separating the top two teams. Alice Esposito and Federico Rossi of Italy skated brilliantly to win the 2024 World Championships and Gold Medals. Performing with the perfect mix of strength and grace to Albachiara, the team earned 222.99 points to win their second consecutive World title. The exceptional and innovative elements were matched with perfect unison, confidence and ease. Winning the Silver Medal was Micol Mills and Tommaso Cortini of Italy. To the music of Last Chance, the team won 218.10 points. Powerful and impressive, the team is no stranger to the podium with their high flying skills and engaging spirit. Completing the Italian sweep was Caterina Locuratolo and Jacopo Russo. To the music of Bridgerton, the team earned 158.53 points.
Senior Pairs
1 Esposito & Rossi ITA 222.99
2 Mills & Cortini ITA 218.10
3 Locuratolo & Russo ITA 158.53
Many of the skaters who won medals tonight train together right here in the host city of Rimini, pushing each other daily, side by side while sharing the same floor. They are fierce competitors. But beyond that it was clear to see the respect and friendship they have for and with each other. After a night of intense competition they can all feel proud for the role they play in the sport.
For Polli and Inglese in Junior and for Esposito and Rossi in Senior the night ended with them signing their names to the legendary Roll of Honor. With many of the names before them coming right from Rimini, it was the perfect nod to the city and country that has given so much to the discipline of Pairs.
Congratulations to all the Pairs skaters for their hard and beautiful work! Competition is daily at Fiera de Rimini. Next up in Artistic Medals for the World Skate Games is Solo Dance. Free Dance Top 10 starts on Thursday, September 19th at 13:30 CET.
Catch all the action live at www.worldskate.tv