Synchronized skating: a non-Olympic discipline that fascinates everybody

Synchronized skating is a figure skating discipline that involves many sportsmen performing on the same ice at once. This type of skating is popular in some countries, and there are international competitions. Yet, it is not and Olympic discipline, although there were attempts to include it in the list of winter Olympics’ sports. Anyways, there is a lot to tell about this sport.

Peculiarities

Synchronized skating is a discipline that means that many athletes have to perform together. Usually there are 16 participants in the team. Almost always all these people are girls, although this is not a discipline created for female skaters only. According to the rules, there can be up to six male skaters in the team. All sportsmen are divided into several groups in accordance with their age. There are seniors, juniors, novices and pre-novices. Pre-novices are the youngest, they are younger than 10 years old. Novices are 11 to 15 years old. Juniors are up to 19 years old (for candidates to the master of sports). If a sportsman is a master of sports, then he or she is considered to be a senior.

The name of this discipline speaks for itself, as the main principle of this type of skating is performing various elements synchronically. No matter what elements are included in the program, all of them must follow this principle. There are three aspects that are taken into consideration when the performances are evaluated: the usage of the ice, the originality of elements, the quality of synchrony. Music is also very important, because the program must reflect its rhythm and meaning. The teams compete in two programs: the short program and the free skate.

Elements: the block

This element involves group movement while creating the shape of a frame. There are three to five parallel lines travelling from one edge of the ring to another. It is crucial that the lines must be identically spaced and the move must involve all surface. Sportsmen can skate separately or hold each other’s hands. All of them must be concentrated, since one minor mistake can lead to a complete non-fulfillment of the element.

Elements: the circle

There are many variations of this element, yet something always unites them: sportsmen must form a shape of a circle. There may be one circle or multiple circles. Sometimes there is a circle inside a bigger one. One circle might be interlocked by another one, as well. No matter what variation is chosen, the circle must be equally spaced, and its shape must be very accurate.

Elements: the line

Just like with the circle, there can be many variations of this elements. The easiest line is straight, while it can be diagonal, interlocked or modified by step sequences and pivots. This move requires a lot of concentration, because the movement of each skater is visible and mistakes can affect the score greatly.

Elements: the wheel

This move involves rotating around a particular point. The team is expected to form two or more straight lines. The athletes lean into the central point of the wheel and move synchronically. There are many ways of modifying this element to make it look more difficult. For instance, a change of the rotational direction may be present.

Elements: the intersection

Sometimes the term ‘a pass through’ refers to this element. It means that several sportsmen skate towards each other, then the lines intersect, so that the athletes ‘meet’ each other. This element is often included in other moves to modify them.

Elements: the no hold element

This element is pretty similar to the block. It was mentioned previously, that the block can be done without holding hands. In this case, it is called the ‘no hold element’. There can be up to five lines. This element is a little bit harder because sportsmen have to pay attention to the equal spacing between them and it may be difficult when everyone is moving on their own.

Elements: the lift

The name of this element speaks for itself: one or several sportsmen are lifted by others. Pivots or spins, preceding or following the lift, can modify this element. Incorporating this element into a program is not required, although juniors and seniors sometimes perform it.

Elements: movement in isolation

This group of elements comprises any moves that are done by several sportsmen separately while others perform something else. Usually it means that three to half of the team athletes are isolated from the rest of their teammates, and perform spirals, vaults, lifts, spins or jumps. It is necessary to mention that moves in isolation must not violate the integrity of the program.

Elements: moves in the field

This is a group of moves as well. It comprises various moves that are typical for single skating (Ina Bauers, spirals and other moves with strong edges) and are connected by steps. Not less than three free skating moves must be included in the program.

Competitions

Although this discipline is not Olympic, there are many important championships. For instance, since 2000, the ISU holds a world’s championship for the best teams. The most successful senior team comes from Sweden and is called “Team Surprise”. This team won five gold, four silver and one bronze medal. In Finland, there are two successful teams. “Marigold IceUnity” became the leader of the world tournament three times, while “Rockettes” won it twice.

The Universiade is the championship that involves synchronized skating tournaments. This discipline was first held there in 2007, when it was called a ‘demonstrative’ sport. In 2009 and 2011, it became a competitive sport. Sometimes synchronized skating is included in the Gran-Prix finale as a ‘guest’ sport. This happened in 2015, in Barcelona, when five teams fought for the prize. They performed the free skate only. A team from Russia (“Paradise”) became the leader of this championship.

Judging

The ISU system is used nowadays. According to it, each element has a basic value that is pre-determined. There is a technical score and the system of GOEs that states that each judge evaluates the move from -5 to +5 and then the average is added to the basic value of this element. Another aspect involves evaluating the composition of program, the interpretation of music, the transition and skaters’ skills, as well as the performance in a whole.

History

This is a relatively young sport. In 1950s, this sport appeared in the countries where hockey is a popular game. During the breaks, hockey cheerleaders performed on ice. They had to dance while wearing the skates, and after that, this discipline developed. This sport became very popular because it was available to everyone, including teenagers, retired sportsmen and even pensioners. Although in the beginning it involved a pure improvisation, later some rules were set. Synchronized skating is very popular among people who live in the USA, France and Scandinavian countries. The first World Championship was held in 1983. 11 years later, it officially became a sport.

Many petitions required making this sport an Olympic discipline. However, due to several important factors these petitions did not have any impact on the faith of this sport. For example, the tams are too big, which means that more money should be spent on accommodation. Moreover, synchronized skating is not as popular as other Olympic disciplines. Finally, five main countries dominate in this sport. A competition between five countries (the USA, Canada, Sweden, Russia and Finland) cannot be included in the Olympic games. Yet, it is possible that in terms of the 2022 winter Olympics, this discipline will be included in the program of the competition.

All in all, although synchronized skating is not as popular as other types of skating, it is worth paying attention to this sport if you are interested in figure skating in general.