– Team quickly changes international competition plans following Prague Cup cancellation.

If you thought rearranging a flight due to bad weather was tough, how about rebuilding international itineraries for an entire team of synchronized skaters who suddenly learned the overseas competition they planned on attending wasn’t going to happen?

Back in September, the Starlights Senior Team had been invited by the U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA) as one of a handful of top-ranked teams to travel to the Czech Republic in January and represent Team USA at the Prague Cup. However, when economic factors led event organizers to cancel the competition only weeks before it was to begin, Starlights coaches quickly worked with the USFSA to secure a spot in the Mozart Cup international competition – January 21-23 in Salzburg, Austria.

“Having the Prague Cup pulled right out from under us like that was a big shock,” said Heather Paige, head coach of the Starlights Senior team. “We acted fast in coordinating with U.S. Figure Skating, our skaters’ families and our travel planners to make sure the team would still earn the honor of representing our country in competing against some of the best teams in the world.”

The Mozart Cup takes place one week before the Starlights had planned on traveling to Europe. Senior Team skaters will have a tight turnaround between their upcoming competition in suburban Detroit before jetting off to Austria. The Senior Team will perform at the Mid-America Synchronized Skating Championships in Fraser, Mich. from January 14-16 before heading back to Chicago, re-packing bags and traveling to Salzburg.

Fortunately, many team members are seasoned international travelers. Last February, the Starlights represented Team USA at French Cup in Rouen, France.

The Starlights are based at Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion in Buffalo Grove. For more information, please visit www.starlights.us.