Juniors: Finland sets the tone as Helsinki Fintastic pulls ahead
The final stop of the Challenger Series, the renowned international competition, the Marie Lundmark Trophy, opened on Saturday afternoon at the Gatorade Arena in Turku, Finland.
In Juniors, five Finnish teams are in the top seven. Out front, Helsinki Fintastic took the lead after an excellent short program.
The provisional podium is 100% Finnish, in blue and white. Valley Bay Synchro is currently 2nd and Musketeers 3rd, very close to silver. Valley Bay leans more on technical content (TES 41.87), while Musketeers make up for a lower TES (40.49) with higher components.
Helsinki Fintastic in their short program "It's Time to Dance"! (Ville Vairinen - 2026)
But several teams are right on the podium’s heels. Les Suprêmes Juniors from Canada (less than a point back), as well as Team Mystique, the little sisters of Team Unique (FIN). A pleasant surprise also came from the Northenettes (USA) who, despite sitting 6th for now, still have every reason to hope for a podium.
Several falls were observed during some programs. But the teams looked well prepared, delivering well-executed performances on Finnish ice.
Training in Minneapolis, Team Northenettes represents USA. (Ville Vairinen - 2026)
Seniors: Les SuprĂŞmes edge a tight Finnish duel
In seniors, Sunday’s gold will come down to the details. Les Suprêmes of Canada lead with 84.61 points, ahead of Helsinki Rockettes (83.04) and Team Unique (82.79). The gap between 1st and 3rd is just 1.82 points, setting up an exciting tactical battle in the free program.
Technically, Les Suprêmes built their advantage on a strong technical score—the highest of the segment—while maintaining excellent components. The Helsinki Rockettes and Team Unique remain close on the technical side, with very similar profiles: the difference will come down to execution details and levels.
Looking at the components in detail, Les SuprĂŞmes posted the top score in composition (9.60), while the Rockettes had the edge in presentation (9.55). The top three teams are separated by a razor-thin margin in skating skills. This breakdown shows contrasting strengths: choreographic construction on the Canadian side, stage impact on the Finnish side, and a very even skating foundation at the top.
Behind the trio, NEXXICE (CAN) sits 4th after the short program with a more pronounced gap between technical (43.39) and components (35.70).
Marigold Ice Unity (FIN) follows closely (78.56) with high components (36.51) but a lower technical score (42.05), a pattern that could become a lever in the free program.
See you on Sunday for Marie Lundmark Trophy Day 2. (Ville Vairinen - 2026)
In total, eleven teams are competing in seniors, and no deductions were taken in the programs.
The Marie Lundmark Trophy continues on Sunday from 3:30 p.m. (local time) with the free programs.