A Precision Skating Fan Page

If there is any information you think belongs on this page, please send it to CLW.
Contains: Team Links
All the information on this page (until further notice 8) has been provided by Lys (Precision skating is my passion) Sarrazin.

An Introduction to Precision Skating

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

Juvenile
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must not have reached twelve years of age by July 1st preceding the competition. Juvenile teams do not compete at the national level.
Novice
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must not have reached fifteen years of age by July 1st preceding the competition.
Junior
A team of 12 to 20 skaters. Skaters must have reached at least twelve years of age but may not have reached nineteen years of age by July 1st preceding the competition.
Senior
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must have reached twelve years of age by July 1st preceding the competition.
Adult
A team of 12 to 24 skaters. Skaters must be at least twenty-one years of age or older by July 1st with 75% of the team over twenty-five years of age or older as of July 1st preceding the competition.

History of Precision Skating

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...

Upcoming Competitions

International Competitions

Canadian Competitions

Competition Results

Who Competes in Canada?

First, there are the sectionals: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Western Ontario, Northern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Center Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundand. To compete at the divisonal level, a team has to finish in the top 3 in their section (in Quebec, it is the top 4). At the divisional, a team must finish in the top 3 to compete at the national level.

Teams from Alberta, BC and Saskatchewan compete in the Western division; teams from Manitoba, NOS and WOS compete in the Center division; teams from COS, EOS and 2 teams from Quebec compete in the Eastern division; 2 teams from Quebec and the Atlantic province teams compete in the Atlantic division.

This year, the CFSA assigned the top 6 in the junior and in the senior category (at the 1995 Canadians) to compete in different international competitions during the 1995-96 season.

1995 Canadian Precision Skating Championships

Stampede Corral
Calgary, Alberta
April 13-16, 1995

97 teams were competing at this event.

Senior finale

Junior finale

Novice finale

Adult Finale

1994-91 Canadian Precision Skating Championships

1995 Canadian Senior Challenge Cup

From here on down, information provided by CLW

Team Links

Shows and Exhibitions

Precision competitions are starting to get airplay on Canadian TV, with the most recent National Championships being broadcast and a segment on Skate!. A few other places you could have found precision skating getting airplay are:

Other Links of Interest

LS /
CLW

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Last Modified:Thursday, 13-Jan-2000 08:44:45 UTC
Page accessed at local time: Thursday, 21-Nov-2024 06:58:02 UTC