Irish ice dance duo Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus 20th at World Championships

Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus have finished 20th in the ice dance event at ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, Canada.

After making history by becoming the first ice dancers to represent Ireland at the World Championships, took one of the coveted spots in the free dance on Saturday by coming 19th in Friday's rhythm dance.

The Irish national champions skated third. Performing to Hier Encore by Charles Aznavour and an instrumental version of La Bohème, they opened with a Choreographic Character Step Sequence to set the tone for the routine.

They followed that with a lift combination comprising a straight line lift and a rotational lift, and a diagonal step sequence and one foot turns sequence. Their synchronised twizzle sequence was graded a level 4 by the technical panel, the highest possible, as was their dance spin.

They closed with a choreographic slide, a choreographic spin and a level 4 stationary lift earning 103.63 points, a new season's best and 18th place for their free. Their combined total score of 171.67 points was also a new season's best.

"We wanted to be very patient and calm today and enjoy the experience," Firus said. "It was great to skate here in Montreal."

Soucisse and Firus will compete in June at the Irish national figure skating championships.

Having legally married on 29 February, the off-ice couple will also have a wedding ceremony in Mexico in early May and will make preparations for Irish Nationals and the 2024-2025 season in tandem.

The Canada natives and residents are able to represent Ireland as Firus has citizenship through his Wexford-born maternal grandmother.

"We are going to do our best to get a new free dance for Irish Nationals so that's done for next season and then after