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
- Turku, Finland: December 28-30, 1995
- Goteburg, Swe: January 3-7, 1996
- Tri-States (Farmington, MI): Feb 1996
- Precision Skating Coupe Internationale (Rouen, Fra): Feb 23-25,
1996
- French Cup (Rouen, Fra): March 8-10, 1996
- Spring Cup (Milan, Ita): March 15-17, 1996
- U.S. Postal Service Precision Figure Skating Championships
(Chicago, IL): Mar 27-30,1996
- I.S.U. Senior World Challenge Cup (Boston, MA): April 4-6,
1996
Canadian Competitions
- Canadian Precision Skating Championships (Hamilton, ON):
April 4-7, 1996
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.
Stampede Corral
Calgary, Alberta
April 13-16, 1995
97 teams were competing at this event.
Senior finale
- 1 - Les Pirouettes, Laval Figure Skating Club
Laval, Quebec (Quebec Section)
Coach: Lyne Forget
1st in short program, 1st in long program
Also Canadians Champions in 1991,1992,1993 and 1994
- 2 - Black Ice, Sport Seneca & Upper Canada Figure Skating Club
Toronto & Area, Ontario (Central Ontario Section)
Coach: Cathy Dalton
2nd in short program and 2nd in long program
- 3 - Ice Fyre, Whitby Figure Skating Club
Whitby, Ontario (Eastern Ontario Section)
Coach: Jodi Lyn Jones
3rd in long program
- 4 - Kweens on Ice, Kitchener, Waterloo (WOS)
Coach: Kathy Mackowski
Kathy is also the coach of Diamonds on Ice (novice) and the KW
Krystals (Adult)
3rd in short program
- 5 - Les Etincelles, Charlesbourg (QC)
Coach: Marie-Josee Talbot
Marie-Josee is also the coach of Les Coccinelles (novice)
Also bronze medalists at Precision Canada International 1994
- 6 - National Capital, Ottawa (EOS)
Coach: Stephanie Flanigan
- 7 - The Special Edition, Toronto (COS)
Coach: Mary Jo Ferneley
Mary Jo is also the coach of the Classic Edition (Adult)
- 8 - Les Dynamiques, Pointe-Aux-Trembles (QC)
Coach: Annick Schmidt
- 9 - Rose City Rhythms, Windsor (WOS)
Coach: Diane Flynn-Knapp
- 10 - Edmonton Senior Precision Team, Edmonton (AB)
Coach: Kim Chen
Kim is also the coach of the Camrose Novice Precisionnaires
- 11 - Calalta Ice Illusions, Calgary (AB)
Coach: Lindsay Bell
Lindsay is also the coach of the Calalta Ice Illusions (novice)
- 12 - Karen's Kolleens, Delhi (WOS)
Coach: Karen Haskins
- 13 - Synchronicity, London (WOS)
Coach: Trudy Hennessey
Assistant coach: Traci Boland
- 14 - Senior Elite, Vancouver (BC)
Coach: Dee-Dee Randorf
Dee-Dee is also the coach of the Highlights Novice Precision Team
Junior finale
- 1 - Brampton Ice Angels, Brampton Figure Skating Club
Brampton, Ontario (Central Ontario Section)
Coach: Wendy DeGraaf (also the coach for the Angelettes
(novice) and the Guardan Angels (Adult))
2nd in short program, 1st in long program
Also 2nd in 1994
- 2 - Les Pirouettes, Laval Figure Skating Club
Laval, Quebec (Quebec Section)
Coach: Benoit Venne
3rd in short program, 2nd in long program
Also 1994 Precision Canada International Junior Champions
- 3 - Ice Image, Burlington Skating Centre
Burlington, Ontario (Western Ontario Section)
Coach: Shelley Barnett
1st in short program, 3rd in long program
Also 3rd in 1994
1995 Snowflake International Junior Champions
- 4 - The Optimistics, Fort Erie
Coach: Tanya Calder
(2nd in Center divisionals)
- 5 - Elite Express, Unionville (COS)
Coach: Tracey Jones
(3rd in Eastern divisionals
Also bronze medalists at Precision Canada International 1994)
- 6 - Les Marquises, St-Hubert (QC)
Coach: Annick Bombardier
(2nd in Atlantic divisionals)
- 7 - Stamford & Company, Stamford (WOS)
Coach: Patricia Perdue-Mills
(3rd in Center divisionals)
- 8 - Les Riveraines, Boucherville (QC)
Coach: Micheline Godbout
(1st in Atlantic divisionals)
- 9 - Surrey Junior, Surrey (BC)
Coach: Leslie Rupp
Assistant coach: Donna Paul
Leslie and Donna are also the coaches of Surrey Novice.
Donna is also the coach of the Ice Rocketts (Adult)
- 10 - Mosaic, Victoria (BC)
Coach: Sharolyn Sloat
- 11 - Slick Ice, Cowichan Valley (BC)
Coach: Penny Baker
Novice finale
- 1- Ice Angels, Whitby Figure Skating Club
Whitby, Ontario (Eastern Ontario Section)
Coach: Kelly Jennings
Also Novice Champions in 1992
- 2- Les Pirouettes, Laval Figure Skating Club
Laval, Quebec (Quebec Section)
Coach: Paule Charbonneau
1st in Eastern Division
- 3- Ice Image, Burlington Skating Centre
Burlington, Ontario (Western Ontario Section)
Coach: Karen Hinnegan
Also 3rd in 1992, Novice Champions in 1993 and 1994
Adult Finale
- 1- Nite Line, London Skating Club
London, Ontario (Western Ontario Section)
Coach: Julie Ryder
Assistant coach: Traci Boland
- 2- The Classic Edition, Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club
Toronto, Ontario (Central Ontario Section)
Coach: Mary Jo Ferneley
- 3- Midnight Ice, Thorold Figure Skating Club
Thorold, Ontario (Western Ontario Section)
Coach: Tanya Calder
1995 Canadian Senior Challenge Cup
- 1 - Ice Expression, Oakville (COS)
- 2 - Les Supremes, St-Leonard (QC)
- 3 - Les Stellaires, Delson (QC)
From here on down, information provided by CLW
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:
- Blame it on the Blues - Brian Orser's most recent TV
special. I believe it was Black Ice that was featured.
- The Planets - A show that aired on the CBC and PBS
featuring the Duchesnays, Brian Orser, ballet dancers,
synchronized swimmers, and precision skaters. The Brampton Ice
Angels (junior) was the team featured.
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, 03-Oct-2024 11:49:21 UTC