Nearly 800 ice skaters on 60 teams from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Canada will be converging
on Bowling Green this Saturday to compete in the Tri-State Synchronized Skating Championships.
This is the 36th year for this event, with the Bowling Green Skating Club being selected to host it four
times in the last 15 years.
Synchronized skating is a team sport in which eight to 20 skaters perform a program together. The team
members must perform a variety of intricate and challenging skating skills, all in unison with their
fellow skaters. Many hours are spent practicing and perfecting these skills.
Bowling Green and the BGSU Ice Arena, have a tradition in synchronized skating with the first U.S.
"Precision Skating" Championship being held here in 1984. Since then, synchronized skating has
grown to include more than 525 synchronized teams registered with the United States Figure Skating
organization and multiple competitions held each year, including world events.
The synchronized skating teams involve all levels and ages, from beginner to novice, adults, and
collegiate skaters. Along with the 800 skaters that are participating in the competition, approximately
2,000 spectators will come to cheer and support their teams.
Teams will be competing from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the BGSU Ice Arena. Admission for the event is
$5, with children 5 and under admitted for free. There is no fee for parking.