Italy’s Noemi Maria Tali and Noah Lafornara, who are moving up to seniors next season, are currently the team to beat in Junior Ice Dance. The duo dominated both of their Junior Grand Prix assignments in Riga and Bangkok and went on to win the Junior Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France, scoring a new personal best of 169.98 points.
Tali and Lafornara teamed up in 2023 and rapidly showed strong results. In this interview, they tell their story on how they began skating, switching to ice dance and teaming up. After a successful tryout in Italy, Lafornara moved from the USA to Milan in order to skate with Tali. They retrace their first steps together on the ice as well as first challenges they faced.
Preparations for the Junior Grand Prix Final weren’t easy for the team as they faced injuries and pressure. A good mental preparation was therefore key to their success in France.
The young team has firmly decided that they will move up to the senior ranks after they compete in their last junior event at the 2025 Junior World Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. They explain their next steps and what they think they need to work on and refine in order to be competitive in the senior ranks.
Tali and Lafornara are also eyeing the 2026 Olympic Games which will be on home their turf in Milan. They may have a shot to qualify alongside Italy’s top team Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri. This would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Tali, who was born in Milan.
Lafornara, who previously competed for the US but has Italian ancestors, is currently in the process of gaining Italian citizenship.
Off the ice, they introduce us to a fun hobby that they share together as well as other interests that help them keep a healthy work-life balance.
Tali and Lafornara are scheduled to compete next week at the Italian Championships in Varese, Italy, December 20th to 22nd.
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