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. As with the other disciplines, all teams perform a free skate with required well-balanced program elements. In addition, teams at the junior and senior level perform a short program consisting of required elements.

Elements in synchronized skating include blocks, circles, wheels, lines, intersections, moves in the field, moves in isolation, no-hold blocks, 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.

• Synchronized Skating Required Elements (PDF)

Teams competing at the Basic Skills (beginner) level may compete at any U.S. Figure Skating synchronized skating nonqualifying competition or U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills competition.

Teams competing at the developmental levels of preliminary, pre-juvenile, open juvenile, open junior, open collegiate or open adult may also compete at the Eastern, Midwestern or Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, held annually at the end of January.

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. Top-performing 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.

(For more information about the U.S. Synchronized Skating Team, visit the Synchronized Skating page in the Team USA area of the web site.)

There are so many benefits to participating in a team sport, and synchronized skating is a great way for figure skaters to compete in a sport they love while enjoying all of the aspects of working with others in a team-oriented sport.

If you are a high school student who is interested in skating on a synchronized team in college, U.S. Figure Skating has a created a tip sheet with the following helpful information:

• The first steps in looking for colleges with synchronized skating
• The different levels of competition, and skills expectations
• Scholarships and pay for synchronized skating
• Tips for choosing a school

Entries are now closed for the 2010 Synchronized Skating Challenge Series. Thank you to all teams for your extraordinary response! This year's series has a total of 1,158 participants on 98 teams. The Eastern series has 667 participants on 58 teams, and the Midwestern series has 491 participants on 40 teams. Check below for the list of competitors in each section.

• 2010 Eastern Synchronized Skating Challenge Series Competitors
• 2010 Midwestern Synchronized Skating Challenge Series Competitors

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