Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus (Co. Wexford) have finished fifth at Lombardia Trophy, an ISU Challenger Series event, in Bergamo, Italy.
The two-time Irish ice dance champions made a superb start to their season yesterday when they debuted their new James Brown medley rhythm dance. They opened with a Level 2 midline step sequence and followed with Level 4 sequential twizzles. They garnered Level 2 for their pattern step sequence and next included a choreographic rhythm sequence. They closed with a Level 4 rotational lift and earned 69.52 points to put themselves in fourth place overnight.
On the second day of competition Soucisse and Firus performed their new “When Harry Met Sally” free dance for the first time internationally. They began with a Level 4 stationary lift and rotational lift combination quickly racking up technical element points. For the one foot turns sequence Soucisse was graded Level 1, while Firus received a Level 2. A choreographic step sequence ensued before the duo reeled off a Level 4 dance spin. Their serpentine step sequence merited a Level 1 before achieving Level 4 with their synchronised twizzles. They executed a choreographic hydroblading movement, a Level 4 straightline lift and a choreographic lift to wrap things up. They posted a free score of 101.82 points which combined to give them a total of 171.34 points.
“We were quite tired, but I think everybody felt the dance was long,” Soucisse said. “We had a practice in the morning and eight hours in between so I think it is something we are going to have to take into consideration in our preparations. Overall, for our first competition of the season I think it went quite well. We still have a few things to work on, but I guess we’ll wait to see the protocol sheets.”
“I thought it was a great start, so onwards and upwards from here,” Firus added.
