In synchronized figure skating, it is important to be coordinated with your teammates. Up to 16 people compete on the ice at the same time and make joint formations in time to music. In the future, it is hoped that the sport will become an Olympic discipline.
The Turku region has several active teams in synchronized figure skating and during the Epiphany weekend it was time for competitions in the Turku Hall. 37 teams from different parts of Finland participated, and especially south-west Finland was well represented.
Fifth graders Elisabeth Ramstedt and Fanny Keihäs from Turku and St. Karins practice synchronized figure skating four times a week and enjoy being able to compete on the ice.
– I joined a team when I started the skating school. It’s the competitions, teammates and being on the ice that’s the fun, says Ramstedt.
Fifth graders Elisabeth Ramstedt and Fanny Keihäs from Turku and St. Karins practice synchronized figure skating four times a week.
Image: Marie Söderman / Yle
synchronized figure skating, figure skating, women’s figure skating, Turku Hall
At least right now, neither Ramstedt nor Keihäs is attracted by single skating on the ice.
– I’ve thought about what it would be like to perform alone, but it’s more fun to skate with others and then you feel calm, says Keihäs.
The group Amicae Aboenses from Turun Riennon Taitoluistelu.
Image: Marie Söderman / Yle
synchronized figure skating, figure skating, women’s figure skating, Turku Hall
Synchronized figure skating came to Finland in the 1980s, and one who was hooked even then is Jessica Pettersson from Åbo.
The sport today has participants who can be between 6-80 years old.
– It’s fun to perform together with your team. Many adults who play the sport have skated as youngsters, like me. In our team there are also people who only started skating seriously later in life, says Pettersson, who belongs to Turun Riennon Taitolustelu.
Turku resident Jessica Pettersson had figure skating as a hobby when she was young, today as an adult she practices synchronized figure skating once a week.
Image: Marie Söderman / Yle
synchronized figure skating
Jessica Pettersson belongs to the group Forma Aboensis at Turun Riennon Taitolustelu. The group consists of adult women who performed with the program Peace and Love.
Image: Private
synchronized figure skating, figure skating, women’s figure skating, Turku Hall
Within the discipline there are both elite athletes and people who have figure skating as a hobby. The sport is one of the more expensive in that the skates can cost from 500 euros upwards and the annual membership fee is at least as high.
For those who play sports at an elite level, the sums are significantly larger.
– Even though it is a big sport, we are far from hockey or football when it comes to sponsorship agreements, says Pettersson.
Right now, today’s energy prices are worrying.
– It’s a crisis because electricity prices are going up and there are ice rinks that have problems. If the municipalities are not involved and provide financial support, it can be very tough for associations that buy all their time on the ice from private halls, thinks Pettersson.
The group Sun City Sweets from the association VG-62 in Naantan.
Image: Marie Söderman / Yle
synchronized figure skating, figure skating, women’s figure skating, Turku Hall
Some of the competition’s youngest members came from Pori and the team Team Vision in Porin Muodostelmaluistelijat.
Image: Marie Söderman / Yle
synchronized figure skating, figure skating, women’s figure skating, Turku Hall
Naandal active in sports
The organizers at the figure skating association VG-62 in Naantan were forced to take a break from the Loppi-Ice competition during the corona pandemic, but during the Epiphany weekend it was time for competitions in Turku Hall again.
80 volunteers helped with the arrangements.
Piia Aalto is one of the organizers of the figure skating association VG-62 from Naantali.
Image: Marie Söderman / Yle
synchronized figure skating, figure skating, women’s figure skating, Turku Hall
There is great interest in synchronized figure skating in Naantandal, and skaters come to Naantandal from several municipalities in the region, including Pargas and Pemar.
– But of course there is room for more, both for girls and for boys, says Piia Aalto from the association.
A lot of people were there to watch the Loppi-Ice competition.
Image: Marie Söderman / Yle
synchronized figure skating, figure skating, women’s figure skating, Turku Hall
– The sport is constantly progressing and Finland has won several WC medals in synchronized figure skating. They are also working on this becoming an Olympic discipline in the future, that would be nice, says Aalto.
Future Olympic participants? Here the group Ad Altiora from Porin Taitoluistelijat in Pori performs.
Image: Marie Söderman / Yle
synchronized figure skating, figure skating, women’s figure skating, Turku Hall
