Synchronized skating
There are four disciplines in figure skating including ice dance, pairs, singles and synchronized skating. Synchronized skating requires strong teamwork, communication, and coordination among team members. It has gained popularity as a captivating and dynamic sport, with teams from around the world competing at various levels and showcasing their talent, creativity, and dedication on the ice.
Synchronized skating involves a group of skaters performing choreographed routines on ice while skating in precise formations in synchronization with each other. The teams can vary in size depending on the specific category and level of competition, but typically consists of 16 skaters competing on the ice. The team aim to, in perfect unison with each other, perform their two programs fully clean. Skaters must maintain uniform spacing and timing throughout the routine, ensuring that all movements and transitions are executed simultaneously. To reach this, the programs require not only complex shapes and patterns, but also high individual skating skills technique and aesthetic movements.
Competing as a senior team in synchro includes two days of participation where each team performs one program per day. The teams are assessed by a panel of judges who evaluate their technical proficiency, artistic expression, and overall performance. The programs are in a range of 3-4,5 minutes and include mandatory elements. The short program of season 23/24 include intersection, move, no hold, twizzle and artistic element (5) while the free skating include creative lift, group lift, two different intersections and move, no hold, pair, pivoting, synchronized spin and traveling element (10).
Teams are judged on their execution of these elements and their overall creativity. Every and each element gets judged by the technical panel deciding which level is reached. Each level in every element has a base value that differs when the judges grade the execution from -5 to +5. These points are the technical element score. The judges also award points for program components which include composition, presentation and skating skills.