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NEWS & NOTES2024 ISI Synchronized Championships Heads to Minnesota
by Eileen Viglione
The 2024 ISI Synchronized Championships heads to the historic Doug Woog Arena in South St. Paul, Minn., April 5-6. The arena hosted Synchro Champs most recently in 2019, when we launched the “MinneShowdown,” a special team event held during Synchro Champs.
The 2024 MinneShowdown takes place Saturday (April 6) during the competition weekend. It offers additional opportunities for Synchro Champs skaters and their friends and /or family who want to be a part of a Production, Kaleidoskate, Pattern Team, Ensemble or Team Compulsory.
The event is also open to non-synchro teams from the area and across the country that may not be participating in ISI Synchro Champs but wish to perform their programs.
Synchro Champs includes six event categories: Synchronized Skating Team, Synchronized Skating Compulsories, Synchronized Formation Team, Synchronized Formation Compulsories, Synchronized Advanced Formation Team and Synchronized Dance Team. Synchro Champs also caters to eight age groups: Tot, Junior Youth, Youth, Senior Youth, Teen, Collegiate, Adult and Master.
Test and entry deadline is Feb. 1. Stay tuned to the ISI website at skatesisi.org/synchrochamps for registration information.
Unveiling of the 2024 ISI Synchronized Championships logo at the South St. Paul City Council meeting in May. From left, council members Pam Baker and Todd Podgorski, Community Affairs Liaison Deb Griffith, Mayor James P. Francis, Blades N Motion Skating School Director Barb Yackel and Councilmembers Joe Kaliiszewski, Tom Seaberg, Matt Thompson and Lori Hansen.
The Venue – Doug Woog Arena
Doug Woog Arena is one of the oldest ice arenas in Minnesota and was the practice facility for the 1964 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. Built in 1962, it was named after the late local hockey great Doug Woog, who was elected to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. While the arena is over 60 years old, it has undergone three major renovations. It features two regulation-size ice sheets, a meeting room, large concession area and a warming room overlooking both rinks.
Then natural beauty of Minneapolis / Photo by Stephanie Wagner
The Location — South St. Paul
South St. Paul is located just south of — take a guess! If you said, “St. Paul,” the capital of Minnesota, give yourself a pat on the back. While it’s not the largest city (about 20,000 people live there), its awesome location along the mighty Mississippi River allows for some great boating, fishing and hiking adventures. There’s also several museums to explore and excellent restaurants to try.
For fun on a grander scale, visitors can venture to the nearby Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota. More than 18 million visitors flock to this area annually to enjoy its natural beauty. After all, the state’s nickname is “Land of 10,000 Lakes” — it really has close to 12,000 lakes, but who’s counting? There’s also plenty of sporting events, museums, theatres and fabulous restaurants to take in.
Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America / Photo courtesy of Explore Minnesota
The Mall of America in nearby Bloomington is one of the top tourist spots in the country. About 40 million people visit there each year! It offers over 500 shops (and there’s no sales tax on clothing in Minnesota!), 50 restaurants, Nickelodeon Universe (a massive theme park with over 25 rides, including rollercoasters), Sea Life Aquarium, FlyOver America flight simulator, axe throwing, an escape room, mirror maze, adventure course, 5D virtual reality attraction, miniature golf, bowling and more. New and exciting adventures are always being added!
Minnesota Accolades
U.S. News & World Report ranked Minnesota No. 5 on its 2023-24 list of “Best States to Live in the U.S.” and both Money and Afar magazines recognized the state as one of the “Best Places to Travel in 2023” — making ISI Synchro Champs an incredible opportunity for participants to combine their love of skating (in sync) with an enjoyable getaway!
More Info
ISI Synchronized Championships
Established in 1959, the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) — creator of America’s first learn-to-skate curriculum — is an international trade association encompassing all aspects of the ice sports industry. Our goal is to promote ice skating as a participant sport and recreational activity for everyone — all ages and abilities. Learn more about the ISI Ice Skating Program.
