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What is Synchro
Skating? Synchronized Figure Skating is the world's fastest growing competitive sport and represents teamwork at its finest. Synchronized skating involves a team of 16 to 24 skaters competing in one of eight different levels, ranging from juvenile to the elite senior division. Synchronization refers to the unison and accuracy of formations executed by the skaters. A well-balanced program contains manoeuvres such as circles, lines, blocks, wheels and intersections linked together harmoniously by a variety of transitions. Teams are judged on those elements in addition to their speed, program difficulty, style and artistic expression. The sport takes the classical, graceful movements of figure skating, and combines it with the thrill of split second maneuvers. Synchro Skating is the newest discipline recognized by the International Skating Union. The first World Championships was held in April of this 2000 in the USA. Hopefully, Synchro Skating will become an Olympic sport very soon. Despite the recent formal recognition of this sport, it's roots date back to 1954, when Dr. Richard Porter developed a team to perform at local hockey games. Dr. Porter first created the Hockettes of Ann Arbor, Michigan in order to provide entertainment in between the periods of hockey games. Then, in 1960, 3 precision competitions took place in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
Sychronized skating then... The Hockettes, circa 1954
Today there are over 375 precision teams from 24 different countries. Synchronized Skating involves a team of 16 to 24 skaters competing in one of eight different levels, ranging from juvenile to the elite senior division. Synchronization refers to the unison and accuracy of formations executed by the skaters. Skaters, in a well-balanced program, will form circles, lines, blocks, wheels and intersections choreographed to allow for expression and interpretation of the music. Intricate footwork is used to enhance the maneuvers. Teams are judges on these elements in addition to their speed, program difficulty, style and artistic expression. Synchro Team Skating combines the beauty, elegance and difficulty of
freestyle skating with the advantages and excitement of a team sport.
...and now:
These two downloads (in Word format), courtesy of CBS Sports, describe what you'll experience at a synchro event: The following links will give you more technical information about Synchronized Skating: |
