SynchroNice / Third Edition / 2018

SYNCHRO NICE 153 figure skating camps and seminars where I visit and watch new programs of skaters and teams and give feedback. In September, the competitions start again. So, you could say it’s pretty much all year-round activity with some free weeks here and there. Okay and those weeks…? Yep right, when I am not judging or travelling in competitions, I am probably in Spain enjoying the slow lifestyle. Who makes up all those rules… are judges responsible for all the changes every new season? No, we are not but, as a controller or referee, we do write reports to the ISU after a competition and we get to propose changes for the judging system and explain what is working and what is not working. Our feedback is taken into consideration when new rules are planned. As a moderator, I am also able to bring up important matters. I have also been invited to many national and local seminars. It is really reward­ ing to work with different people. I enjoy developing the sport and being part of the skating family. How do you feel about the progression Syn- chronized Skating is making, is it evolving? Synchronized Skating has developed a lot and quite rapidly as well. The quality of skating skills has improved a lot and the step sequences are quite complex and demanding these days. The individual skills of each member of the team have become more and more important. Synchronized skating is evolving each year and there are a lot of updates every year to the rules, so you really have to follow the sport very closely to keep up. We see individual moves more and more, how come? Synchronized skating has adopted different aspects of other figure skating disciplines like lifts, spins, jumps, pair elements etc. It is not anymore just lines, blocks, wheels, circles and intersections as it used to be. It is a combination of individual skills and team skills. Can you give the teams some advice what to focus on? The most important skills were and are the basic skating skills and teams should really work on that on a daily basis. Each skater has to master the blade in a variety of ways but also create the lean and glide as a team. If the team has a strong basic foundation, they are also able to portray interesting moves with great quality. It is a key to create intricate transitions and choreography. And of course, the team has to work a lot as a team to reach the perfect unison, the same body lines and same feel to the program. And if you want to create something special and unique you have to be brave and try new things that nobody has tried before. That is how this sport evolves. Is choice of music of any importance? As for the music, the music of the program is essential of course and the teams should skate in time to the music and really express the character of the music. The teams can use any type of music – it can be classical or pop. The most important thing is that they understand the music and feel that music. It should not be just background music. The teams should create a work of art with their skills and the music, they have to deliver the total package. And the right balance in all this is of course very important. It should not only be technique nor only artistry. It should be a balance of both. And your role as a judge, is that evolving as well? As a judge, I want to constantly be better at my work. I love to learn from coaches and hear how they develop their teams and how they teach the elements. I think this kind of interaction is very im­ portant for everybody. I followmy sport all the time but I also follow other sports and art a lot. Whenever I have time, I go to concerts, operas, theatre and so on. Synchronized Skating is changing so fast, as a judge, you have to be open to new ideas and ap­ proaches. You cannot stick to only one way of doing things. As a judge, you cannot have favorite styles or favorite ways of doing things, you reward it if some­ thing is done well. I give a lot of respect to people who work a lot and believe in their own work. Each time I go to a competition I hope I am able to give my best knowledge and make the right evalu­ ations and decisions. It is really an honor to be part of this sport. At the start of the competition, the ice is glittering and clean, waiting for the teams to enter the ice. This is a moment that has a special feeling into it. And of course, when the teams perform their programs and you are really taken into their story and performance, that interaction is great. We always ask our interviewees how they feel about Synchronized Skating as a part of the Olympics, should it be Olympic in your opinion? Yes, Synchronized Skating should defi­ nitely be an Olympic sport. The quality of the teams is certainly at that level but yes, we do need to have more countries involved and more medal contend­ ers as well. But I do believe that with hard work it is possible for new countries to improve and work to­ wards the top. Nowadays, the sport is getting more and more complex, so it will get more and more important to surround any team with a great team of professionals to coach the teams. Synchronized Skating is team work in every way. Thank you so much for your time and cooper- ation Leena, it was a pleasure talking to you. We now get your popularity as well, your love for Synchronized Skating does make you the perfect ambassador.  “I give a lot of respect to people who work a lot and believe in their own work.”