SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING NEWS CHINA WINS FINA SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING WORLD TROPHY

RENANG INDAH INDONESIA-LAUSANNE, Switzerland, December 3. TEAM China clinched their first title of the FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy at the seventh edition organised in Mexico City (MEX) from November 30 to December 2, 2012.

A total 10 national federations -- Brazil, Canada, China, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and USA -- performed in the Synchro Highlight Routine, Thematic Duet, Thematic Team and Free Combination.

China remained dominant throughout the three-day competition, taking top spot in the four contested events. Japan finished second overall -- placing two in three events -- while Ukraine took third, after a second-place finish in the Duet and completing the podium in the three team events. 

This second place is a marked improvement for the Japanese team, whose last podium appearance at the World Trophy was in 2006 (first edition). The Ukrainians continue to strengthen their influence among the world's best, making the top-3 for the second time.

Podiums by event
Synchro Highlight Routine: 1. CHN, 95.788; 2. JPN, 95.238; 3. UKR, 94.925
Thematic Duet: 1. Wenwen Jiang/Tingting Jiang (CHN) 95.125; 2. Lolita Ananasova/Anna Voloshyna (UKR) 93.888; 3. Stephanie Leclair/Karine Thomas (CAN) 93.463
Thematic Team: 1. CHN, 96.338; 2. JPN, 95.838; 3. UKR, 94.563
Free Combination: 1. CHN 97.375; 2. JPN, 95.600; 3. UKR, 95.400

Overall Ranking & Prize money: 1. CHN, 384.625 (US$ 50,000); 2. JPN, 379.450 (US$ 30,000); 3. UKR, 378.775 (US$ 20,000); 4. CAN, 374.450 (US$ 15,000); 5. MEX, 371.588 (US$ 12,500); 6. RUS, 364.225 (US$ 10,000); 7. USA, 357.100 (US$ 9,000); 8. NED, 353.250 (US$ 8,000); 9. BRA, 352.263 (US$ 7,000), 10. GBR, 87.988 (US$ 6,000)

Podium of previous editions
2006 (Moscow, RUS): 1. Russia, 2. Spain, 3. Japan
2007 (Rio de Janeiro, BRA): 1. Russia, 2. Spain, 3. United States
2008 (Madrid, ESP): 1. Spain, 2. China, 3. Russia
2009 (Montreal, CAN): 1. Canada 2. Russia 3. Spain
2010 (Moscow, RUS): 1. Spain 2. Russia 3. Ukraine
2011 (Beijing, CHN): 1. Spain 2. China 3. Canada

FINA SYNCHRO WORLD TROPHY Mexico 2012, Day 3: China takes home 1st Synchro World Trophy title

China Free Combination

Eliana Alves, FINA Press Commission Membe

RENANG INDAH-December 2, 2012 MEXICO CITY - The Free combination routine concluded the seventh edition of the FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy in Mexico. Dynamic and versatile, the Free combination features all the possibilities of this artistic discipline - solo, duet, trio and teams – in a single routine and China took again the spotlight on the last day, winning the overall competition with 384.625 points. Japan (379.450 points) and Ukraine (378.775 points) completed the podium, second and third respectively. The podium was the same in the Free combination routine.

China entered in this competition showing strength and confirming their intention to reach the top of the synchro world hierarchy. The Chinese girls delivered a vibrant routine wearing red swimsuits, the colour of the country, with an original choreography, marked by perfect body balance and height of figures.

The team of Japan received the highest score including all events in the competition for their Free combination routine: 97.375. China's biggest rival on the Asian continent used dramacity and beautiful figures to capture silver. Elegance and finesse were the assets of the young Ukrainian team to climb the podium with a total 95.400.

The host country, Mexico, produced a fine performance overall. The Mexicans, who renovated the team to have a good result at home, finished fifth, ahead of traditional synchro powerhouses Russia and USA.

Fans at the World Trophy were very enthusiastic and filled the stands. This edition of the World Trophy presented teams exploring always further the infinite resources of their sport and thanks to the very original competition format - notably the use of accessories - the event keeps getting more and more spectacular.

OVERALL RANKING

Team and Point

1.	CHINA	384.625
2.	JAPAN	379.450
3.	UKRAINE	378.775
4.	CANADA	374.450
5.	MEXICO	371.588
6.	RUSSIA	364.225
7.	USA	357.100
8.	NETHERLANDS	353.250
9.	BRAZIL	352.263
10.	GREAT BRITAIN	87.988

SYNCHRO HIGHLIGHT ROUTINE

THEMATIC DUET

1.	Wenwen Jiang/Tingting Jiang (CHN)	95.125
2.	Lolita Ananasova/Anna Voloshyna (UKR)	93.888
3.	Stephanie Leclair/Karine Thomas (CAN)	93.463
4.	Nuria Diosdado/Isabel Delgado (MEX)	93.350
5.	Risako Mitsui/Mai Nakamura (JPN)	92.775
6.	Victoria Shestakovich/Daria Vakurova (RUS)	91.113
7.	Jamie Kuchan/Alexa Tchekmarev (USA)	88.050
8.	Lara Teixeira/Nayara Figueira (BRA)	87.825
9.	Elizabeth Sneeuw/Nicolien Wellen (NED)	87.088

THEMATIC TEAM

1.	China	96.338
2.	Japan	95.838
3.	Ukraine	94.563
4.	Mexico	94.188
5.	Canada	91.863
6.	USA	91.000
7.	Russia	90.775
8.	Brazil	88.925
9.	Netherlands	88.863

FREE COMBINATION

1.	China	97.375
2.	Japan	95.600
3.	Ukraine	95.400

FINA SYNCHRO WORLD TROPHY

RENANG INDAH-The FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy is aimed at the best Synchronised Swimming Solos, Duets, Teams and Combination in the World. It is organised every year since 2006 and offers professional organisation, wide Television Broadcasting and Prize Money.

The objectives are to promote the beauty of Synchronised Swimming, as well as to improve new developments, strategies and an inspired innovative competition formula to attract crowds and large TV audiences.

As to encourage the creativity in Synchronised Swimming, scores are given for the Artistic Impression only. There will be two (2) panels of judges: five (5) FINA Neutral Judges and five (5) Celebrity Judges appointed by the FINA Technical Synchronised Swimming Committee.

The 7th FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy 2012 will be held from November 30 to December 2, 2012 in the State of Mexico (MEX)

Mexico 2012, Day 2: China wins Thematic team, Japan and Ukraine also on podium

Mexico

Eliana Alves, FINA Press Commission Member

December 1, 2012 MEXICO CITY - RENANG INDAH INDONESIA=The softness of Chinese folk songs and the energy of the samurai highlighted the second day of the 7th FINA Synchro World Trophy, marked by very creative routines. On day 2, the Chinese team received again very high scores for their near-perfect performance. The team (Or Liu, Xi Luo, Xuechen Huang, Wu Ywen, Jiachen Fan, Lele Yu Xiaoujun chen, Wenyan One, Si Chang and Li Guo) totalled a winning score of 96.338.

The Chinese swimmers transformed the pool into a dance floor, thrilling both the judges and audience with the mega hit song "Opa Gagnam Style". The Japanese filled the pool with mystery when they climbed on the deck dressed as samurai using features such as dry ice. Their dramatic performance earned them a total 95.838 points from the judges. Team Japan was composed by Yukiko Inui, Aika Hakoyama, Mai Nakamura, Risako Mitsui, Mayo Itoyama, Kurumi Yoshida, Miho Arai, Hibaru Kazumori, Kanami Nakamaki, Misa Sugiyama and Chikako Izumi.

If the battle for the top spots was comfortable, the fight for the minor medal was fierce between Mexico and Ukraine. The Ukrainians eclipsed the locals with their lively and dynamic version of the country folk themes. Team Ukraine (Olena Grehykhina, Ganna Klymenko, Katerina Sadrska, Zolotarova Look, Lolita Ananasova, Anastasiya Sauchuk, Vira Golubova, Oleksandra Sabada, Anna Voloshyna, Dana Mariia Klymenko, Maryna Golyadkina and Kateryna Reznik) scored 94.563 points overall.

In this edition of the World Trophy, Ukraine climbed the podium in all events so far. Head coach Svetlana Saidova highlights the youth and strength of the team.

“They are young, but very experienced because they participated in many competitions in Europe. This team was silver medallist at the FINA World Junior Synchro Championship in 2010. And below we have a generation that is also very strong. We're worrying about keeping a constant renewal”.

Mexico came with the power of Maya culture and a sumptuous start on the deck that included a pyramid. As their routine unfolded, there were many elements that characterised the country, including sombreros and the famous song 'Guadalajara'. The Mexican team, which until the penultimate presentation remained in third place with 94.188 points, are now placing fourth.

Day 2 also featured a Solo Exhibition with some of the world's best soloists: Russian Yulia Potapova, Japan's Adachi Yumi, Lolita Ananasova from Ukraine, Chinese Xuechen Huang and British Olivia Federicci.

Mexico 2012, Day 1: China dominates in Synchro highlight and Thematic duet

Eliana Alves, FINA Press Commission Membe

November 30, 2012 MEXICO CITY - The seventh edition of the FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy started with all the energy and "plasticity" of the Synchro highlight routines and thematic duets. All participating countries - Russia, China, USA, Canada, Great Britain, Netherlands, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and Ukraine - will present at the Mexican Olympic Sports Centre pool a show that keeps getting more and more spectacular since the competition was firstly launched in 2006. More specifically, the use of accessories is allowed and time on deck can exceed 10 seconds. All of these aspects without sacrificing the technique of the sport.

Asia dominated the first event of the competition, the Synchro Highlight routine, with China (95.788 points) and Japan (95.238 points) finishing on top, showing very different styles. While the Chinese chose to use at the same time delicacy and vigor in their birds-themed routine, the Japanese used several accessories and their theatrical skills in a daring choreography that featured an armed dispute by power. Both teams displayed creativity and a high degree of difficulty in their routine.

Ukraine (94.925 points) was third in the Synchro Highlight routine with a tribal theme that incorporated accurate and well-executed acrobatic movements. They were followed by Canada (92.400 points), who chose to mirror spiders in their routine. The owners of the house, Mexico (90.788 points), which made the crowd vibrate with a mime-inspired routine. Russia, who performed on a vibrant Latin music, came just behind Mexico with 90.475 points.

The second event of the day, the Thematic duet, was based on the local culture of the host country. Once more, China (95.125 points) shined. Famous twins Wenwen and Tingting Jiang showed how experienced they are in executing a difficult routine wearing the traditional colourful Mexican skirts on the deck and red shoes in the water. Their coach Wang Na said that they intend to be better next year, at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

“They are very mature technically and all we are doing is based on hard work day by day. This duet has many advantages because of the natural physical similarity, the high and other features that make them a very strong duo. It is an honour to be champion again and I thank everyone for their support.”

Ukraine (93.888 points) finished in second place, also representing Mexican dancers, and Canada (93.463 points) took third, dressed up like the typical Mexican animal: the jaguar. The good surprise was Mexico's fourth spot, with 93.350 points, to the delight of the home crowd, cheering from the stand.

Some of the country's celebrities were also among fans to watch the outstanding performances of the Synchro World Trophy day 1: Diego Reyes, Olympic champion with the Mexican soccer team in London this year and diver Fernando Platas, silver medallist in Sydney 2000.

Many of the competing teams presented an important renovation of swimmers, being now in preparation for the next Olympic cycle that will culminate with the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (fina)