Stunning San Juan, Argentina opened its arms to the world for the 2023 Artistic International Series Final. Estadio Aldo Cantoni provided the setting as skaters from 19 countries fought for medals, World Skate Rankings and cash prizes.
By the end of the week eleven different countries were represented on the podium extending the reach of high level artistic roller skating around the globe. Host country Argentina proved not only to be a beautiful setting but Argentina also captured an outstanding 10 medals in the process. High profile dignitaries from around the San Juan region took the chance to see the beauty of Artistic Roller Skating and solidified the notability of the sport.
During the Senior Pairs competition the venue was filled with more than 5000 people. It was an Argentinian sweep of the podium as the enthusiastic crowds roared with approval for all of the innovative pair teams. Argentina’s Nicolas Cerecedo and Valentina Botto now sit as number one in the World Skate Rankings with their Silver Medal and teammates Federico Bengolea and Melissa Valdez are currently number three in the Rankings with their Bronze Medal finish.
- Esteban Alvarez and Milena Azzara, ARG 141.90
- Nicolas Cerecedo and Valentina Botto, ARG 129.83
- Federico Bengolea and Melissa Valdez, ARG 105.56
By the time the Long Program skated, Junior Ladies Free Skating was the classic example of nothing can ever be assumed in sport. First place belonged to Federica Pizzingrilli of Italy who moved from fourth after short to have a gold medal placed around her neck. The flag of Mexico waved for the first time ever at the Series with Valentina Lomas surging from fifth place to land on the podium with Silver Medal and is now currently 2nd in the World Skate Rankings. Valentina Longo of Argentina won the Bronze Medal to the happiness of the host country.
- Federica Pizzingrilli, ITA 124.36
- Valentina Lomas, MEX 111.20
- Valentina Longo, ARG 108.17
In Junior Men Free Skating Juan Rodriguez of Argentina showed why he holds the top position in the World Skate Rankings. Rodriguez had a Gold Medal finish in San Juan and the right to call himself Artistic International Series Champion while engaging the audiences in his home country. Eric Barbeitos Lopez of Andorra added a new flag to the podium by capturing the Silver Medal. Kevin Leite of Brazil took home the Bronze Medal as well as number two in the World Skate Rankings.
- Juan Rodriguez, ARG 154.76
- Eric Barbeitos Lopez, AND 138.98
- Kevin Leite, BRA 102.47
Junior Ladies Solo Dance belonged to the European countries. With just .40 separating the top two steps of the podium it was Greta Pani of Italy who won the Gold Medal. Naroa Ruiz of Spain won Second Place. The Bronze Medal was won by Linda Cantalini of Italy who moved up to first in the World Skate Rankings with her finish.
- Greta Pani, ITA 117.73
- Naroa Ruiz, ESP 117.33
- Linda Cantalini, ITA 113.00
Colombian Jeshua Folleco won the Gold Medal in Junior Men Solo Dance with his beautiful technique and unique style and is currently number one in the World Skate Rankings. Kevin Leite of Brazil earned the Silver Medal and sits in 2nd in the Rankings. The Bronze Medal belonged to Sean Folstein of the USA. All three of these athletes earned double medals during the Final showing why they are among the best in the world.
- Jeshua Folleco, COL 127.77
- Kevin Leite, BRA 119.44
- Sean Folstein, USA 94.85
Top ranked skaters, a multitude of styles and a fierce will to win showed why one of the showcase events of the Final was Senior Ladies Solo Dance. It was Italy’s elegant Caterina Artoni who had the Gold Medal placed around her neck with her breathtaking style. Artoni is now second in the World Skate Rankings. With a silver medal finish is Erika Alarcon Anismoff of Paraguay with her engaging presence and now sits in the very important number one spot of the Rankings. Gabriella Giraldi of Brazil continues to improve her World Skate Ranking throughout the Series, earning the bronze medal.
- Caterina Artoni, ITA 139.24
- Erika Alarcon Anisimoff, PAR 133.44
- Gabriella Giraladi, BRA 133.01
Senior Men Solo Dance was highlighted with 2022 World Champion and number one ranked Brayan Carreño of Colombia. Carreño added to his collection of Gold Medals by winning first place and the title of the Series Champion. Erik Leite of Brazil won the Silver Medal and is in the second position of the World Skate Rankings.Ot Daulman of Spain took home the Bronze Medal.
- Brayan Carreño, COL 148.49
- Erik Leite, BRA 117.36
- Ot Daulman, ESP 108.50
Senior Ladies Free Skating Series Champion and now number one in the World Skate Rankings is Bianca Ameixeiro of Brazil with the Gold Medal. Sandra Diaz of Colombia captured the Silver Medal and moved up to the second position in the Rankings. With a remarkable comeback after an 8th place finish in Short Program was Luiza D’Angelo of Brazil who took the third step on the podium with the Bronze Medal after finishing 1st in the Long Program.
- Bianca Ameixerio, BRA 119.87
- Sandra Díaz, COL 115.65
- Luiza D’Angelo, BRA 109.03
Spain continues creating its legacy of Senior Men Free Skaters. Not only are the technical elements strong but very often matched with magnificent ease and polished style. Hector Diez Severino of Spain is the Gold Medalist and the top ranked skater in the World Skate Rankings. Teammate Lucas Yáñez Pérez won the Silver Medal and is currently third in the World Skate Rankings. It was Argentina’s Franco Mastroianni thrilling his home country crowd with a Bronze Medal performance.
- Hector Diez Severino, ESP 253.66
- Lucas Yáñez Pérez, ESP 207.26
- Franco Mastroianni, ARG 199.57
The Gold Medal for Senior Couple Dance belonged to Brayan Carreño and Daniela Gerena of Colombia and they now are the top Ranked Couple in the World. Brazil is beginning to emerge with couples dance and had two medals on the podium with a Silver Medal won by Felipe Werle and Gabriella Giraldi and a Bronze Medal with Arthur Bastos and Mel Trubat. Werle and Giraldi moved up to the number two spot in the World Skate Rankings. Both Carreño and Giraldi also gained medals in the Solo Dance categories.
- Carreño and Gerena, COL 137.66
- Werle and Giraldi, BRA 116.27
- Bastos and Trubat, BRA 81.78
In Junior Couple Dance it was Colombia’s Jeshua Folleco and Maria Muñoz on the top step of the podium with a Gold Medal. Sean Folstein and Gabrielle Eskew earned a Silver Medal for the USA. Both of the couples are currently ranked number one and two in the World Skate Rankings.
- Folleco and Muñoz, COL 116.15
- Folstein and Eskew, USA 90.73
The Show, Quartets and Precision events displayed emotional story telling, camaraderie, interesting and strong group techniques. These events are meant to take everyone on a journey and that they did.
Precision
- Roller Dreams, ARG 64.20
- PTA Albinea, ITA 47.27
Small Group
- CPA Condado-Sharon, ESP 32.27
- Argenshow-Las Sufragistas, ARG 28.45
- Yolo-Mil y Una Noches, BRA 25.21
Large Group
- CP Celrà-Break Them, ESP 30.63
Quartets
- CPA Les Franqueses-Gaman, ESP 52.29
- Roller Dreams-Después de la Tormenta, ARG 48.10
- Pragma-Tempest, ITA 45.54
Cadet and Youth Free Skaters also competed in the Final. The growth of these young skaters is an important part of the Artistic International Series. The skaters are showing the hard work of development not only in Technical Elements but with rising Components as well. The young skaters were prepared and showed nerves of steel competing before the world. Highlights included both champions of Youth Free Skating. Youth Ladies Free Skating Gold Medalist Madalena Costa of Portugal scored 211.35. Youth Men Free Skating Gold Medalist Guillermo Gomez of Spain had 258.69 and was joined in the over-200 points club by his Spanish teammate Unai Cereijo García with 229.87 and the Silver Medal. Slovenia earned its historic first medal of the Series with a Silver Medal in Cadet Ladies Free by Maja Corsi.
Cadet Ladies Free
- India Gonzalez, ESP 118.27
- Maja Corsi, SLO 110.46
- Marina Royo Fernandez , ESP 109.03
Cadet Men Free
- Lluis Gámez, ESP 127.22
- Mateus Vargas Coy, ESP 101.59
- Joao Cruz, POR 99.94
Youth Ladies Free
- Madalena Costa, POR 211.35
- Lola Fernández, ARG 120.95
- Melissa Passarelli, BRA 77.91
Youth Men Free
- Guillermo Gomez, ESP 258.69
- Unai Cereigo García, ESP 115.65
- Carlos Prieto Almeida, ESP 156.21
All Senior Gold Medalists were presented with a $1500 cash prize as Artistic Roller Skating continues to evolve and look toward the future. Junior and Senior athletes also hoped to obtain points and move up the ranks as the valuable World Skate Rankings. It is these Rankings that lay the important skating order for Short Programs and Style Dance at the upcoming 2023 World Championships.
There are moments in sport where the true essence of sportsmanship mix with the hopes and dreams of every athlete to display what they work so hard for. The Series Final was the perfect example of this. New countries were welcomed into high level competition, historic moments happened as skaters took the opportunity of open doors to seize the moment and it is always a pleasure to welcome new flags flying on the podium.
In only its second year, the Artistic International Series has quickly become the ultimate platform to give athletes around the world the opportunity for more international competitions. From the moving Opening Ceremonies with the majestic sight of 19 countries lined up on the floor, to the intense competition throughout the week, to the Closing Ceremonies when silver confetti rained down on the hard working athletes, it was a special moment for the sport.
World Skate Artistic Technical Commission Chairman Nicola Genchi said, “The Final in San Juan, Argentina has been a tremendous success. I am seeing the sport progressing in such a positive way. The skaters and coaches are transforming the sport. I am so grateful to the city of San Juan and everyone involved with the organizing committee for a beautiful event that embraced the spirit of competition. And I offer very special gratitude to CAP who did an exceptional job in every aspect.”
New countries rose, sport mixed with art and stunning San Juan, Argentina was established as a beautiful friend of Artistic Roller Skating. Thousands attended in person and more than 30,000 viewers from six continents and 65 countries watched via worldskate.tv The 2023 Artistic International Series has proven to be an essential part of the World Skate Calendar.
The top skaters around the world will again gather at the 2023 World Championship in Ibague, Colombia beginning in September.