'Feels like a dream:' Fond du Lac synchronized skating team represents USA in France Cup

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. (CBS 58) — The Fond du Lac Blades synchronized ice skating team is preparing to represent the United States in the French Cup this weekend.

For many athletes, representing your country is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Now, 20 skaters from around Wisconsin have the chance, and hope to make us proud on the international stage.

Fresh off a second place win in Great Britain, the Fond du Lac Blades are packing up their skates for another overseas competition, the French Cup.

"It's so unreal to me, just having gotten to this point, just knowing where I started. It still feels like a dream," said Mikayla Garot, Blades team captain.

Garot has been with the Blades for nearly 10 years.

"Just knowing all my hard work to get to these moments where we get to go and skate internationally for Team USA has paid off. It's just the most honorable experience," said Garot.

She says thousands of hours go into making the routines look precise.

"We all make sure we hold each other accountable, whether that's doing cardio, strength training, and also going to the rink on our own to keep up our skills. It's really important to be good skaters on our own so we can all be good skaters together," Garot explained.

Head Coach Jen McMahon says this is a major competition, with 20 other teams competing from around the world.

"Finland, Sweden, Canada, the U.S., and France have five teams alone, but I also heard that there is a team from Australia is coming," said McMahon.

Despite the stiff competition, Garot hopes they will come out on top.

"To put out two skates we are really proud of. We want to have fun, but we really want to hit our ending pose and just feel so proud of everything we worked for," said Garot.