insynch KEEPING COOL
DREAM skaters share summertime experiences by LESLIE GRAHAM, manager of synchronized skating at U.S. Figure Skating
T
he synchronized skating competitive season, for most teams, runs from the
beginning of September through the middle of March. Te next few months are filled with banquets, ice shows and the tryout and evaluation process for the following season. As the synchronized skat-
ing competitive season is now far behind us, synchronized skaters around the country are working hard toward their next season’s goals. Both on and off the ice, these athletes use the summertime to pre- pare for the next campaign. Members of a synchronized
skating team are expected to reach a certain test level, as well as keep up with their individual skills through- out the summer. Many teams hold practices and clinics. Tese sessions often focus on individual skill- building and not on a competitive program. Many coaches use this time to play with the new season’s rules and evaluate their team’s strengths.
Linnea Barrett, Ashley Mul- hern and Ashleigh Ostin are mem- bers of the DREAM synchronized skating program. DREAM stands for Determination, Responsibility, Education, Achievement and Moti- vation. Athletes in this program are members of Team USA synchro- nized skating teams. Te mission
of the DREAM program is to use these skaters’ skating and leadership skills to influence the lives of devel- oping athletes. All three skaters will be on-ice
assistants at the synchronized skat- ing camps that U.S. Figure Skating hosts this summer, including the DREAM Synchronized Skating Camps, as well as the U.S. Synchro- nized Skating Training Festival. Aside from the camps, each of them is spending her summer months differently as all three pre- pare for the 2012‒2013 season.
LINNEA BARRETT Tis summer, a majority of my
time will be dedicated to skating and working toward Miami Uni- versity’s team tryouts. Tis is excit- ing, yet extremely nerve-racking at the same time. Te coaches have sent out summer training and workout packets to each skater, list- ing all their requirements and ex- pectations for the fall. Each week, I spend eight to
12 hours on the ice practicing and performing the skills listed. Sunday mornings are great because I have the opportunity to skate with my alma mater team, the ICE’Kateers. Tey provide me the opportunity to continue improving on my team skills such as tracking and matching
Ashleigh Ostin
with other skaters. Other days I will do some on- ice training with girls who are also going to Miami so that we can work on our drills together and help each other with any questions we may have. I also try to complete off-ice strength training exercises a mini- mum of three times a week. Te ICE’Kateers have a personal trainer who is awesome and really puts me to work. Besides my training, I
also spend time over the summer helping the Glacial Magic pre-juve- nile team out of Lakewood, Calif. Although I am just getting to know the girls, it’s wonderful to watch them improve each week and to see them have fun. It is so great to see the future of synchronized skating in these awesome young skaters.
ASHLEIGH OSTIN
Whenever someone asks me what I do in the off-season of skat- ing, I generally smile and respond,
Linnea Barrett 28 AUG./SEPT. 2012
“What off-season?” Like many oth- ers, I have never had more than a week away from the ice since the time I began skating competitively. Tis summer, however, has been completely different. I have had the opportunity to
study abroad in Madrid, Spain, for six weeks with my teammate Van- essa. With no opportunity to lace up the skates, it has been a drastic change from what I am used to, al- though it didn’t take long to realize just how close skating always re- mains no matter where you go. My time in Spain has truly brought all of my experiences in the sport full circle. One of the coolest things I was able to do here was see authen- tic flamenco dancing. My favorite synchro program that I’ve done was set to flamenco music and during that year we also took lessons in the dance. To see it performed in its place of origin, Spain, was particu- larly close to my heart. After all, our sport is not solely
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