The U.S. competition season is in full swing after a doubleheader competition weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Almost 200 teams competed all across the country while following the Covid-19 guidelines set by U.S. Figure Skating. Regardless, athletes were eager to return to the competition atmosphere and excitement of being in the “synchro bubble.”

U.S. Figure Skating’s COVID-19 policy for competitions: "Masks are required to be worn indoors by ALL people (including fully vaccinated people) attending any U.S. Figure Skating-sanctioned event or activity despite local, state or facility policies. Sanctioned activities include competitions (U.S. Figure Skating and Compete USA), exhibitions/performances and test sessions.

Exceptions:
- Athletes practicing or competing on the ice.
- Warming up outside."

Teams performed at the new, multi-million dollar Skating Club of Boston facility this past weekend at the Boston Synchronized Skating Classic in Norwood, Massachusetts. This was the third competition in the International Selection Pool qualifier series for all junior and senior teams.

According to U.S. Figure Skating, “this series is for teams already included in the ISP and those hoping to be included in the ISP for the 2021-22 season.” 

As of November 24th, U.S. Figure Skating announced the following teams will represent Team USA for the 2021-2022 season.

Senior Teams
Haydenettes
Miami University
Skyliners
Crystallettes

Junior Teams
Skyliners
Lexettes
Teams Elite
Fond du Lac Blades
Team Image 
Hockettes
Starlights
DC EDGE
Northernettes*

*first-year

Haydenettes led the senior division by over 30 points, with an impressive free program score of 139.18. Miami University finished in second place, just edging out the 2020 World Team, Skyliners. Skyliners junior performed their must-watch “Hallelujah” short program, which helped them earn the gold medal and a six-point lead over Lexettes. 

Most universities in the United States have returned to campus for in-person learning, which means collegiate synchronized skating teams are back training. Adrian College Varsity, the 2020 U.S. collegiate silver medalists, and Team Excel, made up of skaters from universities in the Boston area, were the only two teams to score in the 80s in the collegiate division.

Skyliners placed first in the novice, intermediate, and pre-juvenile events. Team Excel and Team Image were also top performers, earning multiple gold and silver medals. 

Halfway across the country, more than 130 teams competed in the Wings Event Center, at the Kalamazoo Kick-Off Classic. 

Teams Elite was a top competitor at this event, claiming six gold medals from the novice, intermediate, juvenile, open juvenile, pre-juvenile, and preliminary divisions. Teams Elite scored almost 15 points ahead of the second-place team, Fond du Lac Blades, in the novice event. 

In the collegiate division, Western Michigan University came out on top with an eight-point lead over the 2020 U.S. collegiate champions, the University of Michigan. 

In just two weeks, the synchronized skating community will meet again in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the Porter Classic.