No matter what age or skill level you are, there is a program for you. The mission of U.S. Figure Skating is to provide programs to encourage participation and achievement in the sport of figure skating. Check out the opportunities listed here and see how you can get involved in this wonderful activity. Visit www.usfigureskating.org for more information. GETTING INVOLVED IN U.S. FIGURE SKATING
LEARN TO SKATE USA Here you are, watching the best of the best at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2023. Maybe you’re even thinking, “I could do that, too.” Well, you defi- nitely can. U.S. Figure Skating has just the program to start you on the road to lifelong fun. The Learn to Skate USA® powered by Toyota program (formerly Basic Skills) was introduced in 1968 to encourage ice skating at all levels and enhance the quality of ice skating techniques. It is designed to be the best beginning ice skating program that meets the needs of both the competitive and recreational skater. All skaters, child and adult, recreational and competitive, figure skaters, hockey players and speed skaters, need to learn the basics before branching out into different disciplines. The Learn to Skate USA® program teaches skating from the first steps on the ice. You can continue up the ranks in the program to improve your technique and have fun, or to prepare yourself for a competitive career in ice skating. Getting involved is easy. A number of rinks in your area have Learn to Skate USA programs. If you’re interested in becoming a Learn to Skate USA® member, go to LearnToSkateUSA.com. SYNCHRONIZED SKATING Sixteen skaters on the ice, all gliding and turning, performing elements in unison, in the same costumes with exciting themes running throughout — sound cool? It’s synchronized skating, a highly technical form of team skating characterized by speed, accuracy, intricate formations and transitions. In 2021, approximately 9,000 synchro- nized skating athletes on 615 teams were registered with U.S. Figure Skating. Synchro- nized skating provides figure skaters with the opportunity to participate in a team sport and gives more skaters a chance to compete at sectional and national levels. Teams compete in nonqualifying events as well as qualifying events that culminate with the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, which was held March 1–4, 2023, in Peoria, Illinois. In addition, U.S. Figure Skating annually selects 10 to 15 junior and senior teams, with 20 athletes per team to represent the United States at international com- petitions, including the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2023, which was held in Angers, France, March 10–11; and this weekend’s ISU World Synchro- nized Skating Championships 2023 in Lake Placid, New York.
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