Alvarez, Woroniecki Set to Make Duet Debut at French Open

Anita Alvarez, left, and Victoria Woroniecki. Photo Courtesy: USA Synchro

Commentary by Dax Lowry, Swimming World Contributor

Anita Alvarez (Kenmore, N.Y.) and Victoria Woroniecki (Palm Coast, Fla.), members of the U.S. Synchronized Swimming National Squad, are set to make their debut as a duet Friday at the Make Up For Ever French Open in Paris. The event runs through Sunday.

Alvarez, a 2016 Olympian, and Woroniecki were named to the national squad late last year, and USA Synchro CEO Myriam Glez says the new duet’s synchronization and endurance are already in fine form.

“They’re looking good, especially in the technical routine. The goal has been to get this new pair ready for their first competition,” Glez said. “Obviously it is the beginning of the season so they need more work, but they are doing a great job. They will have more time to take these routines to the next level before the China Open and Japan Open.”

Alvarez made her Olympic debut last August in Rio, finishing ninth in duet with two-time Olympian Mariya Koroleva. Woroniecki has international experience during her stints on U.S. junior national teams, having competed in Canada, China and Russia. This will be her first as a member of the senior national squad.

“These two athletes have different strengths and weaknesses. Victoria is taller than Anita, and she makes the pair look bigger in the water,” Glez said. “She also has great propulsion and power, and therefore it helps with the stamina throughout the routine and makes them look powerful.”

The French Open is the first leg of the inaugural FINA World Series of Synchronized Swimming. The World Series will integrate existing smaller synchro events from all over the world, with each leg staged in conjunction with existing national opens and competitions. The 2017 circuit will include a total of seven events.

The Synchro America Open, the only international synchronized swimming event held in the U.S., will be included in the World Series. The Synchro America Open will be held June 21-24 at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow, N.Y.

“The FINA World Series is inspired by other sports like diving and swimming,” Glez said. “This is great for synchro because it encourages more countries to participate in more competitions throughout the season. The goal is also to formalize the synchronized swimming competition schedule and to better market our sport.”

2017 Calendar for FINA World Series

Make Up For Ever French Open (Paris), March 10-12

China Open (Taiyuan, China), April 22-24

Japan Open (Tokyo), April 28-30

Canada Open (Toronto), May 2-7

Spain Open (TBD), May 26-28

Synchro America Open (East Meadow, N.Y.), June 22-24

Suv Parisi (Tashkent, Uzbekistan), August (dates TBD)

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

1 Comment

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Emily Sauer

7 years ago