Synchronized skating, or synchro for short, is a large and fast-growing discipline of figure skating. Teams consist of 8—20 (the number of skaters on a team often depends on the level) athletes skating on ice at one time moving as one flowing unit. This discipline was originally called 'precision skating' in North America because of the emphasis on unison and on maintaining precise formations and timing of the group. Current synchronized skaters need to be accomplished individual skaters, and are expected to demonstrate speed, edge quality, flexibility and ice presence among other skating skills. Synchro teams perform a program set to music, with required formations including circles, lines, blocks, wheels, and intersections.
The first synchronized skating team was formed by Dr. Porter, who became known as the 'father of synchronized skating'. The 'Hockettes' skated out of Ann Arbor, Michigan and entertained spectators during the intermissions of the University of Michigan Men's Hockey games. In the early days, precision skating resembled a drill team routine, or a precision dance company such as The Rockettes.
During the 1970's, the interest for this new sport created tremendous growth and development. As each season passed, more and more teams were developing more creative and innovative routines incorporating stronger basic skating skills, new manoeuvres and more sophisticated transitions with greater speed, style, and agility. Due to the enormous interest in the sport in North America, the first official international competition was held between Canadian and American teams in Michigan in March 1976. Synchronized skating has evolved rapidly, with increasing emphasis on speed and skating skills, and now includes "highlight" elements such as jumps, spirals, spins, and lifts that originally were not permitted in competition.
Internationally the top Senior level teams, competing at the World Championships, are from Finland, Sweden, Canada, and the USA.
Category Descriptions, Required Elements, for 2010-2011
Please note that all age requirements are based on skater ages as of July 1st 2010. Categories noted with ‘qualifying’ means that a designated number of teams from these categories qualify to advance from the Regional Championships to the National Synchronized Championships.
Beginner I
A team of 8 to 16 skaters. No age limits at all. They skate a program that is at most 2:10 min comprised of:
- block, circle, line, and wheel.
Beginner II
A team of 8 to 16 skaters. All skaters must be under 12, and at least 75% must be younger than 10. They skate a program that is at most 2:40 min comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, and intersection.
Elementary
A team of 8 to 16 skaters. All skaters must be under 15 and at least 75% of the skaters must be younger than 12. They skate a program that is at most 2:40 min comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, and intersection.
Juvenile
A team of 8 to 16 skaters. All skaters must be under 15 years old. They skate a program that is at most 3:10 min comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, intersection, moves in isolation, and block step sequence.
Pre-Novice
A team of 8 to 16 skaters. All skaters must be under the age of 19 and at least 75% of the skaters must be at least 10 years old. They skate a program that is at most 3:10 min comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, intersection, moves in isolation, and block step sequence.
Novice (qualifying)
A team of 12 to 16 skaters. All skaters must be between 10 and 19 years old. 75% of skaters must be younger than 15, and up to 25% can be up to 19 years old. They skate a 3:30 min program comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, intersection, moves in isolation, no hold block, block step sequence, and circle step sequence.
Intermediate (qualifying)
A team of 12 to 16 skaters. All skaters must be between 12 and 25 years old. They skate a 4:00 min program comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, intersection, moves in isolation, no hold block, block step sequence, circle step sequence, and a choice of spin or moves in the field.
Open (qualifying)
A team of 12 to 16 skaters. All skaters must be at least 12 years old. There is no upper age limit. They skate a 4:00 min program comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, intersection, moves in isolation, no hold block, block step sequence, circle step sequence, moves in the field, and a choice of spin, pair element, or a second moves in isolation.
Junior (qualifying)
A team of 16 skaters. All skaters must be between 12 and 19 years old. They skate two programs. The short program is up 2:50 min and is comprised of:
- block, circle, intersection, spiral element, no hold block, and block step sequence.
The free (long) program is 4:00 min and is comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, intersection, moves in isolation, no hold block, block step sequence, circle step sequence and a choice of spin or moves in the field.
Senior (qualifying)
A team of 16 skaters. All skaters must be at least 14 years old. There is no upper age limit. They skate two programs. The short program is up 2:50 min and is comprised of:
- block, circle, intersection (must be a box), moves in the field (must include a spiral), no hold block, and block step sequence.
The free (long) program is 4:30 min and is comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, two different intersections, no hold block, block step sequence, circle step sequence, moves in the field, and a choice of spin, pair element, or moves in isolation.
Adult I
A team of 8 to 20 skaters. All skaters must be at least 19 years old. There is no upper age limit. They skate a program that is at most 3:40 min comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, intersection, moves in isolation, block step sequence, and circle step sequence.
Adult II
A team of 8 to 20 skaters. All skaters must be at least 19 years old and at least 75% of the skaters must 25 years old or older. There is no upper age limit. They skate a program that is at most 3:40 min comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, intersection, moves in isolation, and block step sequence.
Adult III
A team of 8 to 20 skaters. All skaters must be at least 19 years old and at least 50% of the skaters must be 35 years old or older. There is no upper age limit. They skate a program that is at most 3:40 min comprised of:
- block, circle, line, wheel, and intersection.
Prepared by Lauren Capstick
