Synchronized skating is a team sport in which 16 skaters perform together. It uses the same judging system as singles, pairs and dance and is characterized by teamwork, speed, intricate formations and challenging step sequences. Each team performs a free skate with required well-balanced program elements. In addition, teams at the Junior and Senior level also perform a short program.
In Canada, the sport is governed by Skate Canada, while internationally it is governed by the ISU (International Skating Union), the same bodies that govern the other figure skating disciplines (Singles, Pairs, and Dance).
There have been World Championships held since 2000. The 2010 World Championships take place in Colorado Springs, and will feature 24 teams representing 19 countries. The current World Champions are Nexxice, from Burlington/Kitchener, Ontario. So why isn't Synchronized Skating an Olympic sport? This video makes a decent case for it:
My daughter Caitlin skates on a Synchronized Skating team in Newmarket called Iced Energy at the Novice level. Earlier this month they competed at the Ontario Regional Championships and qualified for the Canadian Nationals and the Ontario Winter Games to be held the first week of March.
Appropriately enough, the team skates a program with an Olympic theme this year that celebrates the Winter Olympics of Calgary '88 and Vancouver 2010, blending Olympic theme music with the inspirational "Believe" by Suzie McNeil (which has become an anthem of sorts for Canadian athletes this year).
Though I missed seeing them skate at Regionals, I will be home in time for Nationals, and I just wanted to acknowledge their success this year and wish them luck at Nationals and the Ontario Winter Games!
If you would like to see Synchronized Skating become an Olympic Sport, please visit this site on Facebook.
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