The Flying Crown

"The Flying Crown" is an episode of Sofia the First, which aired on April 11th, 2014.

Plot
In the flying derby Sofia and James a racing against two other riders and holding last place. Sofia instructs James to give her a wing blast. James drops back giving the chance for her to fly ahead and takes the lead. Soon both Sofia and James are in the lead but the rival teams are catching up. Sofia suggests James races ahead while she holds them off by blocking their way. James with a huge lead crosses the finish first with Sofia second winning for Royal Prep.

The audience cheer for Sofia and James’ victory except Hugo who is sulking beside his brother. Everyone is delighted that Sofia and James are now in the championship and the next race will be for the Flying Crown against riders of the Junior Knights Academy. James believes they can win and starts to imagine what they will do until he trips and hurts his wrist. With James injured he can’t fly in the championship so Sir Gilliun brings in Prince Hugo to take his place alongside Sofia. Sofia hopes they can put aside what happened in the try-out race and work well together but Hugo still hasn't let go of his grudge against her and says he doesn't need to work with her to win.

The next day, Sofia and Minimus meet up with Hugo and his flying horse Electra who Minimus is nervous about. Sir Gilliun shows up with James as an assistant coach and tells Sofia and Hugo a few things about the riders of Junior Knights Academy. They are known to be the toughest opponents Royal Prep has ever competed against. If Sofia and Hugo are going to win they have to practice their team plays. Sofia asks Sir Gillian about a team play she wants to try called the flying slingshot, a difficult play in flying derby where in mid-air the riders have to line up side by side, reach across their horses and grab hands, spin in a circle and then the biggest rider has to sling the smallest rider at just the right moment. Sofia hopes she and Hugo could practice that play but Hugo just proudly rides off to practice alone.

Later in the day after school, Sofia heads for the stables but Amber notice something’s bothering her. Sofia tells her friends Hugo won’t practice with her and she doesn’t know what to do.

Just then the two riders Vaughan and Vance from Junior Knights arrive at Royal Prep a day early to practice on the course. When Hugo meets the riders he challenges Vaughan to a small race around the school and is easily beaten. Upset over losing again, Hugo leaves in a huff after Sofia tries again to get him to practice with her. Electra explains that everyone in Hugo’s family have been cheered for winning the flying derby expect him which makes Sofia understand he wants to have that experience. Sofia finally manages to convince Hugo to work with her by explaining if they work together they will not only win the championship, Hugo will be the first in his family to win the Flying Crown and the school will cheer for him.

Meanwhile James is given a new job to groom the flying horses and gives Minimus and Electra a scrub down only to end up making a mess in the stables. Sir Gilliun finally comes up with the perfect job for James; dress up as the Royal Prep’s mascot.

The next day Sofia and Hugo begin practising on the course and since Sofia is the smallest she will have Hugo slingshot to the finish but Hugo wants to be the one who slingshots ahead. The first try doesn't go well and Hugo ends up crashing into the haystacks. Again and again no matter how many times, Hugo ends up coming off his horse crashing into the haystacks. After crashing into the fountain, Hugo quits by throwing away his team jersey and walks away. Electra knows that Hugo’s biggest problem is he is good rider but doesn't know the first thing about being a good team mate.

It is now time for the flying derby championship and the first team to cross the finish wins the Flying Crown. The defending champions Vaughan and Vance arrive on the course but Sofia and Hugo don’t show up when they are announced. Sofia finds Hugo in the stables. She tries to tell him what he’s doing is selfish and she can’t race without him but Hugo is too upset to listen. However he does listen when he hears the crowd cheering for him and Sofia with James, Even though they haven’t won yet. Hugo finally understands that it’s not all about winning; it’s about being part of a team.

At last Sofia and Hugo arrive on the course and join Vaughan and Vance. When Flora, Fauna and Merryweather give the word, the four riders take off with Vaughan and Vance holding an early lead. Sofia and Hugo are unable to pass them as they go under the bridge. Sofia gives Hugo a wing blast allowing him to fly ahead but Vaughan and Vance still hold the lead. After passing the bell tower Sofia and Hugo are running out of time as they near the finish. Sofia says they need to try the flying slingshot which Hugo agrees. Hugo and Sofia line up side by side, reach across their horses and grab each other’s hands. With everyone watching in worry, Sofia and Hugo begin to spin in a circle while in mid-air and then at the right moment Hugo slings Sofia and Minimus into the lead and wins.

Sofia and Hugo are rewarded with the Flying Crown and the crowd cheers for them.

Cast

 * Ariel Winter as Sofia
 * Darcy Rose Byrnes as Princess Amber
 * Tyler Merna as Prince James
 * Coco Grayson as Princess Hildegard
 * Harley Graham as Princess Clio
 * Colin Ford as Prince Hugo
 * Eric Stonestreet as Minimus
 * Travis Willingham as King Roland II
 * Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda
 * Jess Harnell as Sir Gillium
 * Rose Abdoo as Electra
 * Sage Ryan as Vaughan and Vance
 * Keith Ferguson as The Announcer

Trivia

 * This is the second episode where Hugo will play a more active role, his first was in "Just One of the Princes" where he was portrayed as a bully to Sofia and James.
 * This is the second time where Sofia teaches good sportsmanship, the first time was in the episode "Tri-Kingdom Picnic".
 * This is the second time that Amber congratulated Sofia won the match, but ignoring James' victory.(The first time is  "Just One of the Princes" )