The Ocean State Ice Theater team will be taking its talents overseas this weekend, as it finished third at Nationals and qualified to compete in the 2019 Nations’ Cup in Marseille, France.

The OSIT novice team, which consists of skaters from ages 8-17 spanning from areas throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, will be competing against some of the top ice theater clubs in the world, coming from countries such as the US, Mexico, Germany, France, Russia and the Ukraine on Friday and Saturday. This is the fourth time the team has qualified for the Nations’ Cup.

“It’s great, we are thrilled and it’s going to be an incredible experience for them. They’ll be competing against 13 other teams from six different countries, so to have the opportunity to compete against them, and to represent your country and not just your team will be great for them,” said OSIT coach Sarah DiNardo.

The OSIT has been practicing hard over the past few weeks, and is expecting quite the competition during this weekend’s event.

“It’s been intense. During the vacation week we were having five or six hour practices every day. Every team that we will be going up against is strong, if you are going and competing at this level, then you have to be one of the top teams,” said DiNardo, who believes that her team is in a good place physically and mentally as it closes in on the competition. “I think we are set and ready to go. We have had a ton of practice on ice, we have had a bunch of guest coaches, I think once we are there it will just be about having two really good skates.”

DiNardo and company appreciate the help and support that they have received over the past few months, and hope to put on a show on the world’s biggest stage.

“We have worked so hard to get to this level, and to stay at this level,” said DiNardo. “We have put in so much time and energy with the kids, parents, sponsors. It would be great to go out there and have great performances for them.”