events

2012 Mozart Cup Under Way this Weekend

(1/28/12) - Two U.S. synchronized skating teams are competing this weekend at 2012 Mozart Cup in Salzburg, Austria. The ICE'Kateers are competing at the senior level and Miami University Junior is at the junior level.

The ICE'Kateers (Anaheim, Calif.) represent the Glacier Falls FSC and are coached by Kathi Pargee and John Saitta. The team placed second at the 2011 Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectionals and fifth at the 2012 Synchronized Skating Championships. In 2009, the team earned the silver medal at Jegvirag Cup in Miskolc, Hungary, as juniors. Mozart Cup marks their senior international debut.

Miami University Junior's (Oxford, Ohio) will compete at Mozart Cup for the second consecutive year. They placed sixth in Salzburg in 2011. Coached by Carla DeGirolamo, Lee Ann Shoker and Katie Bowling, the team placed sixth at 2011 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships.

The ICE'Kateers will compete against the first- and second-best teams in the world, the Rockettes and Marigold Ice Unity, both from Finland. Marigold Ice Unity are the reigning champions at this event. Another Finnish team, Stella Polaris, will challenge Miami in the junior competition. Stella Polaris placed fourth at this event last year.