SPREADING THE WORD SYNCHRONIZED SKATING GAINING TRACTION FOR OLYMPIC HOST CHINA


A rink in China welcomes U.S. coach Heather Paige. by HEATHER PAIGE


I’ve been a synchronized skater for almost my entire life. I’ve been taught countless lessons about being a part of a team, and at a young age I realized that if we all helped each other, we became better as a team. Te thought of being a part of something so much big- ger than myself was thrilling. I believe this is why I am so passionate about synchronized skating, and why as a coach, I am trying to spread that passion as far as it will take me. Two years ago, I was given an opportunity to introduce synchronized skating to a


group of kids in Beijing. Initially, my connection to China was a hockey coach in Beijing, who had begun implementing an age-appropriate hockey development system, similar to the USA Hockey American Development Model. He was intrigued by the idea of skating being a team sport and was able to see how


SYNCHRONIZED SKATING TO MAKE GRAND PRIX FINAL DEBUT


For the first time, synchronized


skating will be included in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The organizing committee in Barcelona, Spain, with the ISU, approved the selection of five countries for the free skate-only competition to be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. The five countries invited to par-


ticipate are Canada, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States. Each ISU member may enter one team that participated in the ISU World Synchro- nized Skating Championships 2015 or is ranked amongst the top 10 of the ISU World Standings for Synchronized Skating. The winning team will join the


medalists of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, as well as the gold medalists of the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, in the gala exhibition on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015.


synchronized skating could be good for business. More skaters would lead to more rinks (mostly in shopping centers), which would lead to more exposure for ice sports in China. Trough that hockey coach, I was introduced to Fang Dan, a five-time Chinese cham- pion turned coach. Together, Fang Dan and I hosted a five-day camp with several of her students. We constructed a basic synchronized skating program, with the hope of having the team compete at the Asian Junior Figure Skating Challenge in Hong Kong. Tis past July, I was asked to go back to China to help a different team. I, of course, jumped at the chance. While there, I was able to observe a competition for synchronized skating. By watching this competition, it became even more clear to me that synchronized skating is still in a developmental stage in China. Te program requirements for this competition consisted of a two-minute program including the five basic elements: block, circle, line, wheel and intersection, along with a sixth element: moves in isolation. Tere were five teams varying in age and skill level. One team/club had 14 skaters ages 6 to 14. Another club had two teams of 10 skaters and split the ages and levels accordingly. Te remainder of the teams had groups of 20 with similar ages, but a wide range of skill level. In the end, the five teams each received a score, but they weren’t competing against each other. Everyone went home with a gold medal. While reflecting on the competition, several things were apparent. Te skaters, par- ents and coaches all genuinely loved synchronized skating. Te skaters continue to partic- ipate year after year, but there are many factors that synchronized skaters are up against in China. Practicing together on a regular basis has proved difficult for them. Currently, most teams only come together during their summer holiday, a month before the com- petition. Te reason for this is a lack of time in the day during the school year. Primary school for Chinese children is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Secondary school or high school is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. At age 12, the focus is primarily on preparing for educational exams. Many stop skating altogether at this point. Currently, there is no support from the government, which also creates a lack of motivation from the parents. If synchronized skating is added to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, this could profoundly affect the status of synchronized skating in China. As we all remember, the 2008 Olympic Summer Games allowed China to proclaim its rising superpower status. China won 51 gold medals, more than any other country. Te medal haul was all the more impressive given that China won just five gold medals two decades before in Seoul. If synchronized skating is added to the 2022 Olympic Win- ter Games in Beijing, I wouldn’t doubt that China will make a move to put together a competitive senior team as soon as possible. Te ISU is also making great efforts to bring synchronized skating to the public eye. Te addition of the ISU Shanghai Trophy, as well as the inclusion of synchronized skating to the 2015 Grand Prix Final, is not only a huge step for the entire sport, but also for the sport in China. Ultimately, it’s through these ISU efforts and the efforts of passionate people that


synchronized skating will continue to grow in China and the rest of the world. If we continue to spread our knowledge about synchronized skating, more people will become passionate about it, and we will continue to gain momentum in our efforts to get synchro- nized skating recognized as an Olympic sport. Heather Paige is the director of synchronized skating with the Starlights synchronized skating organization in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Paige has been coaching with the Starlights since 2008, and prior to moving to Illinois, was an assistant coach at Miami University from 2004 to 2008. Paige continues to volunteer at many of the coaching programs presented by U.S. Figure Skating.


SKATING 63


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