Synchronized Skating

2006-2007 Fact Sheet

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING is a growing discipline of figure skating. It is a highly technical form of skating characterized by speed, accuracy, intricate formations and breathtaking transitions performed by teams of 8-20 athletes.

The newest discipline of figure skating, synchronized skating started approximate- Ron Hershberger ly 50 years ago. What began with a group U.S. Figure Skating President of skaters organized to perform at University of Michigan ice hockey games has since grown into a competitive discipline with thousands of athletes participating all over the world. In the 2006 competitive season, 445 synchronized teams registered with U.S. Figure Skating, and the majority competed in the qualifying competitive system. There are approximately 8,000 active synchronized skaters in the United States in addition to many officials, supporters and alumni. The competitive structure of U.S. synchronized skating rises through the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program presented by Marshalls through sectional championships to the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships. The top team or teams on the senior level are selected to represent the United States at the World Synchronized Skating Championships. There is also potential for participation in the World University Games. Synchronized skating may even becoming the first figure skating discipline recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Chicago Jazz (pictured below) had a great season in 2006. The team reclaimed its U.S. junior title at the 2006 U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships and went on to win a bronze medal at the 2006 World Challenge Cup for Juniors. This was the first World medal for Team USA since the Superettes won bronze at the 2001 event.

Synchronized skating provides challenging and exhilarating team experiences for skaters of all ages. From the rigors of national and international competition to the camaraderie of beginner, developmental and adult teams, synchronized skating offers skaters the opportunity to stay in the sport for a lifetime.

Numbers & Demographics

Geography
U.S. Figure Skating divides the country into three competitive sections:

The 2006 U.S. juvenile champion Starlights perform at the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships.

Synchronized skating is a lifetime sport. Skaters on beginner or preliminary teams are as young as 5, while athletes enjoy competing on masters teams well into their 70s. Last season, approximately 35 percent of all synchronized teams registered in the beginner, preliminary, pre-juvenile and juvenile levels. Skaters on these teams are predominantly younger than 13 years old. Another large group of teams 42 percent competed in the open juvenile, open junior, intermediate, novice and junior levels. Skaters on these teams are typically 13-17 years old. The senior level is the highest and most competitive level of synchronized skating. Like singles skating, reaching this level is a huge accomplishment realized by a relatively few number of athletes. In 2006, just three percent of synchronized teams competed at this level. Skaters are typically late high school or college age, 16-23 years old. The collegiate level remains one of the fastest growing parts of synchronized skating. The athletes on the 28 teams registered in 2006 were all full-time college students. With more than 50 synchronized teams participating in three adult levels, synchronized skating truly is a sport for everyone!

Skaters of All Ages

The Pacific Coast Section was home to 45 teams, or 10 percent of the total. 215 teams, or approximately 50 percent of the total, were registered as members of figure skating clubs in the Midwestern Section. Minnesota contributed the most number of teams of any state in the nation: 49. Figure skating clubs in the Eastern Section were home to 182 teams, or 40 percent of the total.

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Around the World

Synchronized skating began in the United States, but it has spread rapidly around the world. Since the first World Synchronized Skating Championships in 2000, 20 countries on five continents have entered a team in the competition. U.S. Figure Skating names 10-12 synchronized teams to Team USA each season to represent the United States at international competitions sanctioned by the International Skating Union (ISU). In the past few years, the United States has joined Finland and Sweden as one of the top three countries in the world, winning medals at major ISU events.

Memorable Moments in Synchronized Skating History

The first official synchronized skating competition is held in Ann Arbor, Mich. The first U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships are held in Bowling Green, Ohio

Sweden internationa skatin

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Competitive Pipeline

Team Competition in the U.S.

Synchronized skating teams compete in U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned competitions in 14 levels, differentiated by age, skill level and the number of skaters on each team.
Teams participating in the BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM build the skills they need to compete in future. The Synchro 1-4 badge curriculum teaches the fundamentals of the sport, while beginner combines these skills into a program that can be used at nonqualifying and Basic Skills competitions. SYNCHRO 1-4 any number of skaters, any age BEGINNER 8-16 skaters, any age Teams competing in DEVELOPMENTAL LEVELS may participate in their respective sectional championship (except beginner) but do not progress to the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships. PRELIMINARY PRE-JUVENILE OPEN JUVENILE OPEN JUNIOR 8-16 skaters, all under 12 8-12 skaters, mostly under 12 8-12 skaters, mostly under 19 12-20 skaters, all at least 12 JUVENILE INTERMEDIATE NOVICE JUNIOR SENIOR 12-20 skaters, all under 13 12-20 skaters, all under 18 12-20 skaters, all under 16 12-16 skaters, all at least 12 and under 19 16 skaters, all at least 14

Teams competing in COLLEGIATE LEVELS are comprised of college students. Open collegiate teams compete only at sectionals; collegiate teams advance to the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships by placing fourth or better at sectionals. OPEN COLLEGIATE 8-16 skaters, part/full-time students COLLEGIATE 12-20 skaters, all full-time students Teams competing in ADULT LEVELS are comprised of skaters who are continuing in the sport or skating for the first time. All adult levels compete at sectionals, and the top four in each sectional in adult or masters compete at the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships. OPEN ADULT 8-12 skaters, the majority at least 19 ADULT 12-20 skaters, all at least 21 MASTERS 12-20 skaters, all at least 25

Teams competing in COMPETITIVE LEVELS compete at their respective sectional championships, with the top four advancing to the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships. The top teams at the novice, junior and senior levels may be selected for international and world competitions.

beginner through World champion

WORLD SYNCHRONIZED SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS World Synchronized Skating Challenge Cup for Juniors ISU sanctioned international synchronized skating competitions U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships Eastern, Midwestern or Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectionals Nonqualifying U.S. Figure Skating Competitions U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program presented by Marshalls

Success at every level,

n holds the first al synchronized ng competition

The International Skating Union (ISU) officially recognizes synchronized skating as the fifth discipline of figure skating

The first World Synchronized Skating Challenge Cup is held in Boston, Mass.

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Looking Toward the Future

Collegiate Synchronized Skating

In the 2006 season, 27 collegiate teams around the country registered with U.S. Figure Skating. The collegiate level debuted in 1997 with three teams. While the opportunities for synchronized skaters at the collegiate level are widespread, scholarships are not yet available even at schools with varsity programs. The next step for synchronized skating is recognition as an emerging NCAA sport for women. This could potentially open the door for more varsity teams and possibly open the door for scholarship opportunities. U.S. Figure Skating is working on a proposal to the NCAA Committee for Womens Athletics.

The Haydenettes competed at the 2006 World Synchronized Skating Championships.

Though not an Olympic sport, synchronized skating teams will travel to seven different countries to compete internationally this season for Team USA.

What About the Olympics?

Its every synchronized skaters dream that someday the sport will be included in the Olympic Winter Games. In order for a sport to be added, it first must be recommended by the sports international governing body in this case the International Skating Union (ISU) to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This has not yet happened, as the sport needs further development and exposure around the world. U.S. Figure Skatings approach is to do everything possible to continually improve the quality, popularity and participation of synchronized skating in the United States, so that when it does become an Olympic sport, our teams will be in the best position possible. U.S. Figure Skating is also proud to put more resources into synchronized skating than any other ISU member federation. Some of the programs, projects and funding supported by U.S. Figure Skating include: Coaches education: National seminars, sectional seminars, mentor programs, international coach development programs Team & athlete development: Sports science workshops and high performance testing, synchronized training festival, sectional monitor program International envelope program: Monitoring program, training grants, travel and uniform grants. In fiscal year 2006, U.S. Figure Skating provided approximately $350,000 in support of international synchronized teams Resources for synchronized teams: U.S. Figure Skating Online, sponsorship and promotional materials, guides to manage a team. Promotion: SKATING magazine, U.S. Figure Skating Online, media guide, supporting collegiate programs, club education, Basic Skills and PSA seminars The Chicago Jazz junior team wins a bronze medal at the 2006 World Challenge Cup

became the first school to recognize synchronized skating as a varsity sport.

Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio,

The ISU holds the first World Synchronized Skating Championships in Minneapolis, Minn.

U.S. Figure Skating holds the 24th U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo.

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