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| What is Synchro?
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Formally known as
Precision skating, Synchronized Skating is one of the fastest growing
ice sports in the world. It is a specialized branch of skating distinct
from figures, free skating, ice dancing and pair skating. It involves
teams of skaters (from twelve to twenty) performing a variety of types
of footwork, group formations and skating maneuvers. Heads, legs, arms
and bodies must be synchronized and in unison. Formations must be accurate;
lines must be straight.
Programs are judged for technical difficulty and presentation (artistic
impression). Senior teams have a short program that lasts 2:40 minutes
and a long program lasting 4:30 minutes.
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Marigold Ice Unity, 2004 |
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The short program (also called the technical program) has 5 required
elements, set by an International congress the previous year. For the
2005-2006 season, the required elements are an intersecting maneuver,
wheel maneuver, serpentine moves in the field pattern, block and synchronized
spin. Judges look for footwork, changing arm positions and holds, closeness,
speed, straight lines and alignment.
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The long program
(also called the free program) must include three changes in rhythm and
speed or tempo, but otherwise has no required elements. Innovative moves
and creativity are very important in addition to the technical elements.
A Senior Team consists of 12-20 skaters, all of whom must have reached
fourteen years of age by July 1st preceding the competition. |
Team Surprise, 2004 |
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| Milestones
of synchro |
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Today, synchronized skating
is the latest disipline recognised by th International Skating Union (ISU),
but the sport has a long history.
Group skating was recoginised by the ISU as early as 1909, but only
as a competitive event in fours.
Modern synchronized skating dates from 1954 when Dr Richard Potter of
Ann Arbor, Michigan USA, organised a group of skaters with the express
intent of forming a team (known as the Hockettes).
This interest in team skating spread across the border to Canada in the
early 1970s. The popularity of this form of skating grew dramatically. |
The Hockettes 1954 |
| 1976 |
The first competition of team
skating was held in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Another early competition was hosted by the Ilderton Winter Club, London
Ontario, Canada. |
Early
1980s |
Synchronized skating was developing
in Australia and Japan. |
Mid
1980s |
Synchronized skating was developing
in Scandinavia. |
| 1983 |
Canada became the first ISU member
to hold a National Synschronized Skating Championships. |
| 1987 |
Australia and Japan became the first
non North American countries to enter synchronized skating competitions
outside their respective countries. |
| 1989 |
The first International synchronized
skating competition was held in Molvdal, Sweden. Teams from 7 ISU countries
attended.
The first formal North American synchronized skating competition meeting
was held in Canada, with the view of setting the rules and standards for
competitions and judges. |
| 1991 |
The ISU Ad Hoc Committee for Synchronized
Skating was appointed. The Committee was charged with drawing up the rules
and regulations which would govern the sport. |
| 1992 |
The regulations formulated by the
Ad Hoc Committee were approved by the ISU Congress. |
| 1993 |
The first ISU synchronized skating
referees and judges were approved. |
| 1996 |
The first ISU World Synchronized
Skating Challenge Cup was held in Boston, USA. Seventeen teems from thirteen
ISU countries competed. |
| 1997 |
ISU World Synchronized Skating Challenge
Cup was held in Turku, Finland. |
| 1998 |
ISU World Synchronized Skating Challenge
Cup was held in Bordeaux, France (won by Team Surprise, Sweden). |
| 1999 |
ISU World Synchronized Skating Challenge
Cup was held in Göteborg, Sweden (won by Team Surprise, Sweden). |
| 2000 |
The first World Synchronized Skating
Championships was held in Minneapolis, USA (won by Team Surprise, Sweden). |
| 2001 |
World Synchronized Skating Championships
was held in Helsinki, Finland (won by Team Surprise, Sweden).
The first Synchronized Skating World Cup for Juniors was held in Neuchâtel,
Switzerland. |
| 2002 |
World Synchronized Skating Championships
was held in Rouen, France (won by Finland1). |
| 2003 |
World Synchronized Skating Championships
was held in Ottawa, Canada (won by Team Surprise, Sweden). |
| 2004 |
World Synchronized Skating Championships
was held in Zagreb, Croatia (won by MIU, Finland). |
| Information gained
from 2004 World Synchronized Skating Championships program. |
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