Synchronized skating

Synchronized skating currently uses a judging format similar to singles, pairs and ice dancing. The discipline is primarily judged on skating skills, transitions, performance, composition, interpretation and difficulty of elements. A synchronized skating free skate program consists of elements that are executed in various shapes and formations both connected and disconnected, such as blocks, triangles, circles, lines, or wheels, done while intersecting, traveling across the ice, and rotating. Teams are required to perform turns and step sequences, ranging in difficulty with each level. There are many different levels including Aspire 1-4, Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary, Pre-juvenile, Open juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, Senior, and Adult. In the highest-ranking levels, Junior and Senior division teams are required to perform a short program in addition to the free skate. The short program is more technical in nature, whereas the free skating program is longer and provides an opportunity to showcase expression, emotion and interpretation. The required elements must be performed in specific ways, as described by published communications by the ISU, unless otherwise specified. The ISU publishes violations and their points values yearly. Situations warranting deductions in synchronized skating include elements where one-quarter of the team or more fails to execute a maneuver in congruence with the majority of the team, falls, interruptions, illegal maneuvers (such as cartwheels), and violations of the rules concerning time, music, and clothing. == History ==

In 1956, the first synchronized skating team was formed by Dr. Richard Porter. The 'Hockettes' skated out of Ann Arbor, Michigan and entertained spectators during intermissions of the University of Michigan Wolverines hockey team. In the early days, precision skating (as it was then called) resembled a drill team routine, or a precision dance company such as The Rockettes. In 1974, the ISU published the first judges' handbook for synchronized skating. During the 1970s, the interest for this new sport grew and developed. Teams developed more creative and innovative routines incorporating stronger basic skating skills, new maneuvers and more sophisticated transitions with greater speed, style and agility. Due to the increased interest in the sport in North America, the first official international competition was held between Canadian and American teams in Michigan in March 1976. With the internationalization of the sport, it has evolved, with increasing emphasis on speed and skating skills, and "highlight" elements such as jumps, spirals, spins, and lifts that originally were not permitted in competition. == Elements and formations ==

Competition programs include a variety of elements utilizing various shapes or formations. Scoring of each element is determined by their base value (BV) and grade of execution (GOE), together this determines the teams technical element score (TES). In competition the technical panel identifies elements as each element is performed, elements are then assigned a level of difficulty ranging from B (basic) to Level 4 (most difficult). Element shapes are a set of distinct configurations that are easily identifiable, these shapes are used as the basis of most synchronized skating elements. Formations Certain elements are composed of specific distinctive shapes or formations, occasionally transitioning from one shape to a different shape for a higher level of difficulty. Block Identifiable by skaters lined up in at least three separate lines forming a polygonal shape, characterized as block, pyramid or diamond shapes in straight even spaced lines. The shapes can be closed or open formation, with open formations maintaining distinct empty space in the middle of the formation. Circle Characterized by rotating around a common center with even distance from the midpoint and spacing from teammates, circles can be connected or disconnected. different circle configurations include multiple circles, circle within a circle, and interlocking. To increase the level of difficulty a circle can include changes of place, or configuration, step sequences, weaving, interlocking, and changes of rotational direction. Line Lines are integral to many elements and transitions as they demonstrate the team's collective skating skills and serve as building blocks for both blocks and wheel formations. Lines can be connected and disconnected. Wheel A wheel is characterized by every skater rotating around a common center point in connected lines. Different formations that teams can form including a two to five spoke or a parallel wheel. Each spoke (line) of the wheel should be straight and the team should be leaning into the center of the wheel. The difficulty of the wheel can be increased by adding footwork, changing the rotational direction of the wheel, configuration of the wheel. Elements Programs incorporate a set number of specific elements that is announced at the beginning of each season. ==Competitions==

International There are international synchronized skating competitions at the Senior, Junior, and Novice levels (with Senior being the most elite). The International Skating Union held the first official World Synchronized Skating Championships (WSSC) in 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The top Junior teams from around the world competed from 2001 to 2012 at the ISU Junior World Challenge Cup (JWCC), held in a different location every year. The JWCC were accompanied in 2013 by the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships, to be held biannually in odd-numbered years with the JWCC in even-numbered years. Other long-running, major international events attracting elite teams at different levels include the French Cup, Spring Cup, Neuchâtel Trophy, Cup of Berlin, Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy, Leon Lurje Trophy and Prague Cup. ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships The ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships (WSSC) are the world championships for synchronized skating. Held since 2000, the WSSC is an annual international event organized by the International Skating Union. The top positions have been dominated by Finland, with three different World Champions (Marigold IceUnity, Rockettes and Team Unique) and 19 medals, and Sweden with the team (Team Surprise) with most World titles and medals for a single team (12 medals). Other major countries include Canada with five gold, four silvers and six bronzes (for NEXXICE, Les Suprêmes and the now-discontinued Black Ice), as well as the United States with two silvers and five bronzes (for Miami University and Haydenettes). ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships ISU Junior World Challenge Cup The Junior World Challenge Cup was held bi-annually starting in 2013 alternating with the newly introduced World Junior Championships until being discontinued after the 2015–16 season. Finland The Finnish member of ISU, the Finnish Figure Skating Association, holds the Finnish Synchronized Skating Championships at the Novice, Junior and Senior levels. Also, it holds two Finnish Championships Qualifiers before the nationals. Since the late 1990s, the senior-level battle for the qualifier wins and Finnish Championship—and the ensuing ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships (WSSC) entries—has mainly been fought between three teams from Helsinki, Marigold IceUnity, Rockettes and Team Unique, while a fourth and sometimes a fifth Senior team has competed along in the intervening years. Finnish Senior Championships medalists Finnish qualifications for the ISU WSSC Throughout the years, the Finnish senior teams qualifying for the World Championships have been selected based on their performance at the two qualifiers and the national championships. In the season 2012–13, the teams were selected as follows: the Finnish Champion qualified automatically as Team Finland 1 for the WSSC. Team Finland 2 at the WSSC was the team which earned the fewest points from the first qualifier, the second qualifier and the Finnish Championships. The points equaled the sum of the positions at the three competitions with growing coefficients: the coefficient was 0,3 for the first competition result, 0,5 for the second and 1 for the last. United States In the United States, there are several other recognized age and skill levels. Sanctioned by the US Figure Skating Association, the divisions include Aspire 1-4, Pre-Juvenile, Preliminary, Open Juvenile, Open Collegiate, Open Adult, and Open Masters (the non-qualifying divisions/ the divisions that do not go to Nationals) and Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, Senior, Collegiate, Adult, and Masters (qualifying levels). ISI (Ice Skating Institute) is another governing body which focuses on a more recreational form of competition and does not have the same divisions as those of the USFSA. Teams can compete in the Tot Jr. Youth, Youth Sr. Youth, Teen, Collegiate, Adult, or Master age groups, in any of five categories: Formation, Advanced Formation, Skating, Open Skating, and Dance. While most skaters participating in synchronized skating are female, the rules allow mixed-gender teams. US Figure Skating Senior Championship The Senior team level consists of 16 skaters. Skaters must be at least 15 years old and have passed the Novice Moves in the Field test. USFSA Collegiate Championship The Collegiate team level consists of teams with 12–20 Figure skaters who must be enrolled in a college or degree program as full-time students. Skaters must also have passed the Juvenile Moves in the Field test. It is a Varsity Sport at colleges such as Miami University and Adrian College. Many more have developed club-level collegiate teams without varsity status such as the team at The University of Delaware and the University of Michigan. The Miami University Synchronized Skating Team has been a trailblazer in collegiate synchronized skating, fielding the first completely funded varsity synchronized skating program in the United States, as well as working towards gaining "Synchro" NCAA status in the United States. Canada The Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships were annual synchronized skating events, sanctioned by the Skate Canada, held to determine the national champions of Canada. They were first held in 1983. Since 2000, it is during these events that the senior teams can qualify for the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. Since 2023, the Junior and Senior level teams are competing in the combined synchronized and figure skating championships, held as a single event known as the Canadian National Skating Championships. ==Present day==

Why not Synchro Petition Although not currently an Olympic sport, "Why Not Synchro" is an ongoing campaign on social media through the hashtag #whynotsynchro and #whynotsynchro2018 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This was popularized at the Mozart Cup, held in Austria in January 2014. During the medal ceremonies, teams gathered on the ice and created the shape of the Olympic rings. This image was then shared over social media as skaters petitioned to raise awareness of the sport. A petition to the International Olympic Committee was posted on change.org calling for 15,000 signatures and asking the IOC "Synchronized Figure Skating: Make it an Olympic Event." The petition states "The time has come to add this incredible event to the pinnacle of the sport of figure skating." The US Figure Skating Association is responsible for the health and well-being of the athletes and members. ==Judging==

International IJS System The competitive levels of synchronized skating, like those in other disciplines of Figure skating, are now judged using the ISU Judging System that was introduced in 2004. Each element is assigned a difficulty level by the technical panel made up of a technical specialist, assistant technical specialist and a technical controller. Each level of difficulty for a particular element corresponds to a pre-determined base value. The base value is the number of points that are awarded for an executed element before the grade of execution or any deductions are applied. Judges assign a grade of execution from -3 to +3 to each of the elements. Each grade of execution, or GOE, corresponds to a point value. For each element, the highest and lowest GOE values are dropped and the rest are averaged then added to the base value. The sum of all the scores of the elements comprises the Technical Elements score. Program Component Score The judges will award points on a scale from 0.25 to 10 (in increments of 0.25) for three program components to grade overall presentation. As with Grade of Execution (GOEs), the highest and lowest scores for each component are thrown out, and the remaining scores are averaged. The final program components scores are then multiplied by a set factor to ensure the technical score and program components score are balanced. The five program components are: • Skating Skills - The ability of the skater to execute the skating repertoire of steps, turns and skating movements with blade and body control. • Performance - The demonstration of engagement, commitment and involvement based on an understanding of the music and composition. • Composition - The intentional, developed and/or original arrangement of the repertoire and all types of movements into a meaningful whole according to the principles of proportion, unity, space, pattern, and musical structure. Technical Score Each element of the program is assigned a base value, which gives skaters credit for every element they perform. Some elements, such as spins and step sequences, have levels of difficulty on which the base values are established. Judges grade the quality of each element using a grade of execution score within a range of −5 to +5, which is added to or deducted from the base value. GOEs are proportional to the base value of each element. The highest and lowest scores for each element are thrown out, and the remaining scores are averaged to determine the final GOE for each element. The GOE is then added to or subtracted from the base value for each element, and the sum of the scores for all elements forms the technical score. Segment Score The technical score is added to the program components score to determine the segment score (short program/rhythm dance or free skate/dance). The scores for each segment are then added together to determine the competition score. The skater with the highest competition score is declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the team with the highest free program score wins the competition. The IJS is used at events in the national qualifying structure including the U.S. Championships as well as many local competitions at the juvenile through senior levels, including Excel. 6.0 System In the United States, the introductory levels of Aspire 1-4, Open Juvenile, Open Collegiate, Open Adult, and Open Masters are still judged under the 6.0 judging system. These levels can compete at the regional level but cannot qualify for the national championships. The basic principle of the 6.0 system is a "majority" system. Each event is judged by an odd number of judges, and the winner of the event is the team placed highest by a majority of these judges. Differences in Judging Systems The IJS is based on cumulative points rather than the 6.0 standard of marks and placement. The IJS focuses on the skaters and not the judges. Judges do not have to use their memory to compare all aspects of every skater and figure out where to place them, but simply evaluate the qualities of each performance. Highest scores at ISU competitions Short program Free skating Combined total ==References==