Ice skaters in sync with time

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BROOMFIELD - For three days, the best synchronized ice skating teams from California to Ohio are competing in Colorado for a chance to represent the region at the 2009 National Championships.

Synchronized team skating is all about precision.

"It is very detail oriented," said skater Gigi Siegert-Chatman. "The idea is that none of the skaters should stand out or look like they are skating a solo out there."

The regional championship has drawn 130 teams and nearly 2,200 athletes to the Broomfield Event Center and the Ice Centre at the Promenade in Westminster, the two venues hosting the event.

While there are competitors as young as seven on the teams, the sport and competition is not limited by age. The master level is designed for competitors age 25 and up.

LaFuria Masters, a Colorado team competing in the sectional championship, consists of 13 skaters. Several of the team members are above the age of 50. Linda Ockman is 55.

"It's just a joyous thing to be doing still. I can't believe that I'm still doing this. I always thought that I'd be buried with my skates on and if I keep going, I may be," Ockman said.

Another member of LaFuria, Janet Morris, is 60. She remembers learning to skate on a homemade rink in her family's backyard. Skating has always been part of her life, and she is drawn by the precision synchronized skating requires.

"You have to be absolutely right on the mark. If you're off, you can mess up somebody else," Morris said.

While other figure skating disciplines, such as singles figure skating, are dominated by skaters under the age of 25, synchronized skating provides an opportunity for competitors of all ages.

"Skating is a lifetime sport," said Siegert-Chatman.

For more information about the schedule of events for the regional championship, you can go to their Web site at www.2009synchrosectional.org.