Precision Skating Page

An Introduction to Precision Skating- What is it???

Precision skating is a specialized branch of skating distinct from figures, free skating, ice dancing and pair skating. It involves teams of skaters (from twelve to twenty-four) performing a variety of types of footwork, group formations and skating manoeuvres. Heads, legs, arms and bodies must be synchronized and in unison. Formations must be accurate; lines must be straight.

Programs are judged for technical difficulty and presentation (artistic impression). There is a panel of nine judges, one referee and one assistant referee. The scores of all nine judges are used. The programs are scored with 2 marks out of 6.0; one mark for composition and one for presentation. Junior and Senior teams have a short program which lasts 2:40 minutes and a long program, which lasts 4:00 minutes at the junior level and 4:30 minutes at the senior level. Juvenile, novice and adult teams only compete with a free program that is 3:00 minues for juveniles and 3:30 minutes for novice and adult.

The short program (also called the technical program) has 5 required elements in this program: kicking line, manoeuver, intersecting manouever, circle and block. Judges look for footwork, changing arm positions, closeness, speed and straight lines.

The long program (also called the free program) must include three changes in rhythm and speed or tempo, but otherwise has no required elements. Innovative moves and creativity are very important in addition to the technical elements. Clothing for competitions assist with conveying the theme, but must also be suitable for athletic competition.

In 1994, the technical program for senior competitors was combined with the free program. In 1995, the same was done for junior competitors.

Levels

• PRELIMINARY: 8-16 skaters, 75% 9 years old or younger, 25% may be 11 years old or younger. they skate a free program only that is 2 minutes long
• JUVENILE: 12-24 skaters, must be 12 years old or younger, free program only, duration:3 minutes
• INTERMEDIATE: 12- 18 skaters, 75% 15 or under, 25% up to age 18, free program only, duration: 3 and a half minutes. (a note on this division: in terms of participation, this is the largest division, more teams compete at the intermediate level that at any other)
• NOVICE: 12-24 skaters, 14 or under, free program only, program duration: three and a half minutes
• JUNIOR: 12-20 skaters over age 12, but under 19, Junior teams skate a technical and a free program, duration: 2:40 (technical), 4 minutes (free), Junior teams are also eligible to compete internationally
• SENIOR: 16-24 skaters, must be over 15, no age cap, skate a technical and a free program, duration: 2:40 (technical), 4 and a half minutes (free) Senior teams are eligible for international competitions.
• COLLEGIATE: 12-24 skaters, ages 17-28 who must be enrolled in a program of higher education. program length is the same as Senior.
• ADULT OPEN: 12-24 skaters, must be over 21, 75% over 25, free program only, duration: 3 and a half minutes
• ADULT MASTERS: 8-20 skaters, must be over 25, 75% over 35, free program only, duration: three and a half minutes
• YOUTH INTRODUCTORY: 8-12 skaters, must be under 11, program duration: 2 minutes
• TEEN INTRODUCTORY: 8-12 skaters, must be under 18, program duration: 2 and a half minutes
• ADULT INTRODUCTORY: 8-12 skaters, must be at aleast 19, program duration: 2 and a half minutes

Precision skating was created in 1957. At first, there were no competitions. Around 1960, three competitions were organized in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Those states created the first international competition, [called The Tri-States] taking place in Ann Arbour, MI in 1976. It was the first time that Canadian precision teams competed in an international competition.

[The first precision team in North America, founded by Dr. Porter, were the Hockettes from Ann Arbor, Mi in 1956.] - David Reilly

In 1977, Canadian and American judges, coaches, and managers were invited to a seminar in London, ON for the purpose of creating common rules.

The first annual Canadian International Competition took place at the Ilderton Skating Club in London, ON. Seven novice, ten junior and six senior teams competed on March 5th, 1977. In 1978, the second Canadian International Competition also took place at the Ilderton Skating Club. When the third competition was organized for 1979, about 46 teams were to compete, exceeding the capacity of the Ilderton Club. So the venue was moved to the Western Ontario University in London, ON.

By 1980, the sport had become very popular in Canada. In 1981 there were 181 Canadian precision teams, in 1983 there were 450 teams, and in 1992 there were over 500 teams. Teams began to create innovative routines. In 1983, the first Canadian national competition was held in London, ON with 22 teams competing.

In 1988, the Canadian national competition added the new adult category.

At the 1989 International Cup in Sweden, Canada finished 1-2-3. Ice Fyre (Whitby, ON) was first, Les Pirouettes (Laval, QC) second and Ice Image (Burlington, ON) third.

At the 1990 Milk International Precision Competition in Finland, Canada was again 1-2-3. Les Pirouettes (Laval, QC) was first, Ice Fyre (Whitby, ON) was second and Ice Image (Burlington, ON) third.

In 1994, Canada hosted the first international competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union. Team Surprise of Sweden won the gold medal, Les Pirouettes of Laval, QC won the silver, and Les Eticelles of Charlesbourg, QC won the bronze. In the junior category, Canada finished 1-2-3. Les Pirouettes (Laval, QC) finished in first place, Ice Angels (Brampton, ON) in second, and Elite Express (Unionville, ON) in third.

The first Senior World Challenge Cup is planned for April 1996 in Boston. The second Senior World Challenge Cup and the first Junior World Challenge Cup are planned for 1997 in Finland. The first World Championship will probably be take place in 1998. And, in 2002 or 2006, precision skating could be an Olympic sport...

General Precision Information

Precision skating involves a team of 8 or more skaters skating various maneuvers and formations to music. precision refers to the importance of unison, the accuracy and synchronization of the team. a good program contains a variety of the five basic elements and variations on their basic form. These five elements are:

• LINE: a maneuver made up of 1-2 straight row(s) that move together either side by side or one behind the other. (ie: straight line, horozontal line, kickline, and variations)
• BLOCK: 4-6 lines in varying shapes that move as a unit (a square, pyramid, etc.)
• CIRCLE: a closed line that revolves around a common center.
• WHEEL: a maneuver of various shapes that invloves lines rotating on an axis.
• INTERSECTION: any maneuver incorporating movement of one part of the team through the remaining part. (intersections can be a part of any of the other four basic elements)

The ranks for precision skaters have, in the past, been determined more by age than ability. recently, a testing system for precision has been developed that incorporates moves in the field as well as execution of certain precision elements. currently, the divisions within precision are still made by age, although ability does factor in which age division a team would enter. there are 9 skating divisions and 3 introductory level divisions.

Competition Structure

Precision competitions are structured the same way competitions for individuals, pairs, or dance are. teams compete at sectionals to qualify for nationals (with the top four teams advancing), and junior and senior teams placing in the top four at nationals qualify for internation palcement. currently, the top two junior and senior teams also qualify to compete at the ISU World Challenge Cup, the event that will (in 2000) become the world chapionships for precision.