#WHY NOT SYNCHRO
“United Ice” Synchronized Figure Skating Team
THE HISTORY OF
SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
The sport as we know as we know it today began in 1954 with the formation of the first true “Precision
Skating Team” in Ann Arbor Michigan, called the “Hockettes”. Throughout the 1960’s teams began
forming in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Ontario Quebec. It was long before the first precision team
competitions were held, soon followed by the first international competition in 1976 between U.S. and
Canadian teams.
UNITED ICE’S MISSION STATEMENT:
 The United Ice synchronized program provides skaters the
opportunity to share their love of skating in a competitive
team sport. We strive to provide a positive environment for
skaters to develop their skating skills and realize their
potential as performers. Our goal is to provide a program
that allows the skater to learn life skills including
perseverance, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship,
while enjoying competition. The United Ice Synchronized
Skating Program fosters the value of hard work and
commitment for skaters while the skater is having fun and
skating at the highest competitive level.
WHAT IS SYNCHRONIZED FIGURE
SKATING?
 Synchronized skating is a team sport in which 8-20 skaters perform a program
together. It uses the same judging system as singles, pairs and dance and is
characterized by teamwork, speed, intricate formations and challenging step
sequences.
 Synchronized skating is a popular discipline both within U.S. Figure Skating and
around the world. U.S. Figure Skating held the first U.S. Synchronized Skating
Championships in 1984 and also hosted the first World Synchronized Skating
Championships in 2000. There are approximately 525 synchronized teams
registered with U.S. Figure Skating, and nearly 5,000 athletes participate annually
in the synchronized skating sectional championships.
WHY SYNCHRONIZED FIGURE SKATING?
 Synchronized skating is the most popular and fastest growing competitive
discipline in the qualifying structure.
 Synchronized skating is a fun program that is challenging and rewarding.
 Synchronized skating will allow skaters to experience success and bring
recognition to OBM Arena and to the Strongsville Skating Club.
 Synchronized skating promotes loyalty, team spirit, respect, humility, and
discipline.
 Synchronized skating is recognized at the collegiate level.
 Synchronized is expected to be recognized as an Olympic Sport in the near future.
14 DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SYNCHRONIZED
TEAMS
 Synchronized teams in the U.S. can compete in 14 different levels according to
the age and skill level of the team members.
 SKILL LEVELS:
 Teams competing at the developmental levels are: beginner 1,2,3, preliminary, pre-juvenile,
open juvenile, open collegiate and open adult.
 Teams at the competitive levels of juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, collegiate,
adult or masters compete first at their respective sectional championships. A placement in the
top four at sectionals earns them a spot at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. Topperforming teams at the junior and senior levels at have the opportunity to earn a berth to the
U.S. Synchronized Skating Team, with the top two senior teams going on to represent the
United States at the World Synchronized Skating Championships.
ELEMENTS TO SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
 Elements in synchronized skating
include blocks, circles, wheels, lines,
intersections, moves in the field,
moves in isolation, no-hold step
sequences, spins and pairs moves.
The variety and difficulty of
elements require that each team
member is a highly skilled individual
skater. The typical senior-level
athlete has passed a senior or gold
test in at least two disciplines.
TEAM GOALS AND VISION:
2014 United Ice
2016 United Ice
 Team Levels: currently two teams
with our learn to skate synchro
program
 Team Levels: plan to have 3-4 teams
 1) Open Juvenile
 2) Beginner 2
 1) Beginner team
 2) Development level team:
Preliminary, pre-juvenile, or open
juvenile
 3) Competitive team: juvenile,
intermediate, novice, junior, senior
 4) Adult level team
3-5 YEAR PROJECTIONS
To compete in
qualifying
competitions
within 3 years
To have an allencompassing
established program
within 3-5 years.
Compete at
Midwestern Sectionals
Qualify for the United
States National
Championships.
2014-2015 UNITED ICE SCHEDULE
Competition Schedule: (Tentative)
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Dr. Porter: December 5-6 – spectators
only
Mid America: January 16-17
Euclid Basic Skills: January 24-26
Tri-States: February 6-7
Mentor Diamond Classics: February
21st
Kent Skating for skills: February 28March 1 or March 7-8
Strongsville Spring Fling: April 25-26
Exhibition Schedule:
 Lake Erie Monsters: November 21st
 Lock 3 – November 28th
 Strongsville Skating show and 2015-16
tryouts: May
MEET THE COACHES:
Kim Gordon - Head Coach
Ashley Guarniere – Assistant Coach
COACHES VISION:
 As coaches of the Synchronized Figure Skating program it is
our interest to share the knowledge we have learned both on
and off the ice during our skating careers. We vision the
future of the program to be made up of multiple teams at
multiple levels in hopes of taking our teams to the National
Championships. We would like to create an opportunity for
the rinks in the surrounding area to join our program and
create a great program for OBM Arena and the Strongsville
Skating Club.
#WHYNOTSYNCHRO 2018