Synchronized skating team heads for national competition

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games may be over, but one group of students at Memorial is still going for the gold. Synergy, a team representing Prince of Wales Skating Club of St. John’s, is heading to Brampton, Ontario next week to compete at the 2010 BMO Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships Synchronized skating or “synchro” is a specialized discipline of skating involving groups of eight or more skaters performing various group formations and manoeuvres. The objective is for the team to perform as one unit executing circles, blocks, lines, wheels, and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power, and flow. The sport has grown in popularity in around the world and Canada is considered a world leader in this discipline. The team is the first to skate at nationals from Newfoundland and Labrador since 2003, and they will face stiff competition with 12 other teams entered in their category (Intermediate), including six from Ontario and four from Quebec. Synergy is the reigning Atlantic Regional champion (competing in New Brunswick in January), and won its fourth provincial title last weekend. The team has 16 members ranging from ages 16 to 23, with ten members currently attending Memorial University. Four skaters were part of the team when it formed nine years ago. “Being a member of this team for almost ten years has been truly amazing. Not only are these girls my teammates, they’re like my sisters; they’re my best friends,” said captain Allie Winter. This is their first trip to the national championships, having narrowly missed qualifying last season. The team skates to music from the Across The Universe soundtrack, choreographed by Ontario based coach Carol Moir (aunt and former coach to Olympic gold medalist Scott Moir) and trains on and off ice twice a week. The term “synergy” means “a combined action or form,” and these young women are certainly a close-knit group. Before each competition, the team performs a little ritual that gets them synergized before their skate. They perform the “hokey pokey” in the dressing room, engage in a slow clap, and are famous for singing Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer” before competing. Just before they take to the ice, each girl high-fives her coach and teammates, and the rookie members wear crowns on their heads. Since its inception in 2001, the team has dreamed about making it to nationals. “The whole team has worked really hard this year to achieve our goal of competing at nationals, said Winter. “Although the programme is technically difficult, we really enjoy skating it and hope to represent Newfoundland and Labrador well.” The girls are looking to score a personal best at nationals and say that with the help of coach Shirley Thistle and their families, they believe their dreams will become a reality. Thistle has been with the team since its formation. “I’m really proud of the girls – they show incredible commitment to the team. We’re looking to show we can compete against the top teams in Canada.” The team will travel to Brampton, Ontario and lace up their skates on March 4 and 5 to take on the country in the intermediate division.

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