CalAltaSyncHrO.com
Title
Calalta Synchronized Skating
Description
Synchronized Skating, known as "Precision Skating" until 1998, is the youngest of the figure skating disciplines. Its roots are in Ann Arbour, Michigan, where Dr. Richard Porter created a team to perform at hockey game intermissions in 1956. The team was called the Hockettes, and they still have competitive teams today.
The sport has seen an elaborate evolution over the past fifty years. Synchro originated as a drill-team-like event, where teams essentially marched on the ice in various formations, while holding on to each other's shoulders. Unison, timing, precision, and synchronization have always been the fundamental underlying properties of synchro, and remain as such today. But the stiffness and marching has been replaced by incredible speed, complicated footwork sequences, and more creative formations. As well, exceptional skating ability is expected in all areas (many countries now require their team skaters to be accomplished individual skaters), including good edge quality and carriage in addition to the ability of skaters to be able to perform spins and single jumps.
The largest team size the sport has seen was 32 skaters on the ice at a time. In the mid-nineties, the maximum team size was reduced to 24 skaters, and in 1998 the ISU ruled that no more than 20 skaters could be on the ice during a performance. You will often see up to four people standing by the boards during a performance, with skates on, and dressed identical to the members on the ice. These skaters are "alternates," and are prepared to step in and take over any skaters' place in an emergency. They train equally as hard as the rest of the team, and many argue they have the most difficult job of all because they must be ready for any situation, and be prepared to skate any given position at a moments' notice.
