“The Steel Blades”

WHAT IS SYNCHRONIZED SKATING?
Synchronized Team Skating (formerly known as Precision Team Skating) has been a rapidly emerging discipline within the US and International skating communities throughout the past decade. It is a highly technical form of Team skating characterized by speed, accuracy, intricate formations and breathtaking transitions typically performed by 8-20 skaters. This specialized discipline requires skaters to have strong individual skating skills so that they can perform intricate step sequences, difficult hand holds and quick changes of direction with the highest level of precision. A free skating program for synchronized skating teams contains numerous elements linked together by a variety of transitions. A well-balanced program includes a balance of circles, lines, blocks, wheels, and intersections. Step sequences and a variety of handholds are used to enhance maneuvers and transitions. The overall emphasis is the accuracy of the formations and the synchronization of the team. Synchronized skating teams compete in US Figure Skating sanctioned competitions in 14 levels, differentiated by age, skill level and the number of skaters on each team.

HISTORY:
The Steel Blades teams represent the Penguin Figure Skating Club at synchronized skating competitions and exhibitions as members of the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA). The first team was an Adult Masters Team formed in 1988 and was based out of the Ice Palace in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was comprised of all women and was originally known as The Penguinettes. With the later addition of male skaters, the team was renamed The Penguin Precision team. In 2000, the USFSA and the International skating Union (ISU) officially changed the name of the sport to Synchronized Skating. So the team became known as The Pennsylvania Penguins until 2004 when the club moved to its new home at The Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem. Today they are known as The Steel Blades in honor of their new home.

COMPETITION HISTORY:
The team has competed at USFSA sanctioned local, sectional and national events.
Open Adult: 6th Place 2007 Eastern Synchronized Skating Championships
1st Place 2006 Cape Cod Synchronized Skating Classic
4th Place 2006 Lee Ann Miele Classic

UPCOMING EVENTS:
December 2nd 2007 8th Annual Terry Conners Synchronized Skating Open - Stamford, CT
December 16th 2007 Penguin FSC Holiday Exhibition
December 30th 2007 Bethlehem’s First Night Exhibition
January 24-16th 2008 Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships – Richmond, VA
March 29th 2008 Lee Ann Miele Classic

TEAM TRY-OUTS:
The Penguin Figure Skating Club will be holding try-outs this spring for the 2008-2009 synchronized skating season. To register for an audition, please contact Lisa Geltz-Perri plperri@rcn.com or
Amanda Dailey-DiPetrillo espritskater@yahoo.com

COACHES:
Amanda Dailey-DiPetrillo
• Member USFSA and PSA
• US National and International Synchronized Skating Competitor
• 1996-2006 Member Esprit de Corps Adult/Masters Team (s), Trained at Hayden Recreation Centre, Lexington, MA
• Selected as Team Leader for the 2007 US Figure Skating’s Synchronized Skating Training Festival

Lisa Geltz-Perri
• Member USFSA and PSA
• PSA Rated – Registered Freestyle
• Sectional Synchronized Skating Competitor
• 4 years synchronized coaching experience
• Selected for the 2007 US Figure Skating’s Synchronized Coaches Development Program

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