By Shannon Lukens.
Courtesy photo.
Rachel McCormick of Steamboat Springs has been chosen to compete at the United State Synchronized Skating Championships, which are March 1-4 in Peoria, Illinois. McCormick is the co-director of the Steamboat Skating Club and also a member of the Denver Synchronicity Adult team that recently qualified for the National Championships.
Here is a press release from the Steamboat Skating Club; Feb. 2, 2023.
Steamboat Skating Club Off-Ice Director Headed to U.S. Synchronized Skating Nationals Championship
Steamboat Springs, Colorado – Steamboat Skating Club Co-Director, Rachel McCormick, is headed to the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships March 1-4, in Peoria, IL. Rachel is a member of the Denver Synchronicity Adult team that recently qualified for Nationals after performing at the Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, January 24-29 in Rockford, IL.
The community can watch Rachel and the Denver Synchronicity team compete online on March 2, with approximately 1,800 skaters from more than 90 of the top synchronized skating teams from across the country in nine divisions – juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, senior elite 12, collegiate, adult and masters – all competing for the title of U.S. champion.
“Synchronized skating is a lesser known discipline in Figure Skating and one that requires a team of 12-18 skaters around the same skill, age, and commitment level. The main goal of synchronized skating is for all skaters to move as a single unit, as synchronized as possible! It’s an extremely detail oriented sport with hours of practice spent perfecting every last movement. Living in Steamboat Springs means I have a seven hour round trip commute to south Denver for our weekly practice. Logistically this makes very little sense, but synchronized skating for me is pure joy and my happy place, so I make it work! This is my 17th season skating on a synchronized skating team and my 11th trip to Synchronized skating Nationals,” said Rachel.
About Rachel: Rachel grew up in the Boulder area and started skating at the age of eight. Soon after, she discovered Synchronized Skating and fell in love with the team aspect of it. After graduating high school, Rachel decided to balance academics and her love of skating by attending Boston University. At BU, Rachel competed in singles, dance and synchro while earning an Engineering degree. Post college, Rachel works remotely in Steamboat as an engineer for a medical device company. Rachel is also a co-director and coach for the Steamboat Skating Club.
The Steamboat Skating Club is an inclusive organization that provides ice skaters of all abilities and ambitions the opportunity to develop personally, athletically and artistically in a positive, fun, and supportive environment. Their upcoming spring show is ‘Suessical’ March 24 and March 25 at Howelsen Ice Arena from 5-7 p.m., featuring over 40 club skaters.
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For more information, please contact Rachel McCormick at rachel.carande@gmail.com or Jennifer Grathwohl at jennifer@grathwohlcreative.com.