The announcement in July 2026 that Synchro9 will debut at the 2030 Olympic Winter Games has sparked excitement throughout the skating community.
It has also sparked plenty of questions.
For athletes with Olympic aspirations, one question comes up again and again:
What should I be doing right now?
The reality is that many aspects of Synchro9 are still evolving.
While we have heard 6 teams will qualify for the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games and 9 teams will qualify for the 2030 Winter Olympics, we don't yet know how countries will qualify for the Olympic Games, how Olympic teams will be selected, or exactly what pathways different federations may create in the years ahead.
But while the pathway remains unclear, the preparation is surprisingly familiar.
The Skills That Matter Are Still the Skills That Matter
At a recent ISU Synchro9 Development Seminar in Bangkok, coaches and skaters from around the world gathered to learn more about the new discipline. OneTeamMVMT spoke with a participating coach from Australia, Michelle Coetzee, to learn more about the seminar.
One of the most important takeaways?
The fundamentals of great synchronized skating haven't changed.
The seminar's on-ice sessions placed significant emphasis on quality skating, tracking, synchronization and skating close together - many of the same skills that have always been essential to success in synchronized skating.
In fact, beyond the shift to Synchro9, the camp itself felt very similar to previous ISU development camps.
"Mechanically, there was nothing too different about this camp. It ran in a similar format as previous camps. It was still people who are passionate about synchro coming together with people who are excited to learn about synchro, and that's always a really cool atmosphere to be in."
While Synchro9 introduces a new competition format, the foundation remains the same.
"It was a really good reminder to keep working on excellent basic skating skills and synchro fundamentals."
Strong edges still matter. Power still matters. Flexibility still matters. Timing still matters. And strong synchro fundamentals still matter.
What Does This Mean for Current Synchro Skaters?
For athletes already participating in synchronized skating, the message is simple: keep developing a complete skill set.
While many skaters are wondering whether there is a specific "Synchro9 skill" they should be working on, there doesn't appear to be a shortcut.
Athletes should continue developing:
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Strong skating skills and edge quality
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Speed and power
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Flexibility and field moves, such as spirals, Biellmanns, Ina Bauers and spread eagles
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Spins and jumps
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Creativity and performance quality
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Tracking and awareness
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Synchronization and timing
The strongest Synchro9 athletes are likely to be well-rounded athletes who combine strong individual skills with exceptional team skills.
What To Know if You're A Figure Skater Who Is Considering Synchro?
Since the Olympic announcement, many athletes from other figure skating disciplines have started exploring synchronized skating for the first time.
And that's exciting.
Strong skills developed in singles, pairs and ice dance can absolutely be an asset to synchro9 teams. At the same time, synchronized skating requires athletes to develop skills that are unique to the discipline.
One of those skills is tracking - the ability to maintain precise positioning while skating in close proximity to several teammates.
In fact, tracking was one of the major areas of focus during the recent ISU Synchro9 seminar.
"The on-ice drills focused mostly on quality of skating and tracking. They want the teams skating very close together in Synchro9, so it was a lot of traditional drills around those aspects."
Another key skill is consistency.
In synchronized skating, athletes must perform movements with nearly identical timing and technique, often while moving at high speeds and maintaining complex formations.
Small changes can have a ripple effect throughout an entire element. The freedom to take a deeper edge, push harder, or adjust timing may feel natural in an individual or pairs discipline, but in synchronized skating, every movement affects the skaters around you. Extending a freeleg a little higher might be advantageous in singles, but in synchro, if it doesn't match across a whole team, it can detract from the overall performance and score.
It's important for skaters to understand that the ability to skate as part of a team is just as important as the ability to skate well individually.
The Skill That Often Gets Overlooked
Perhaps the most underrated skill in synchronized skating is coachability.
Great synchro athletes learn how to adapt. They understand when to stand out and when to blend in. They learn how to adjust their skating style to match a team. They embrace feedback and make changes quickly.
Sometimes that means refining a movement that would be effective individually so it contributes to a stronger team picture.
The most successful synchronized skaters are not only talented athletes - they are exceptional teammates.
A Surprising Takeaway from the ISU Synchro9 Seminar
One topic that generated significant discussion during the seminar was the judging process. Unlike traditional synchronized skating competitions, which use separate technical and judging panels, Synchro9 competitions will have a single judging panel responsible for evaluating both Technique and Artistry.
All judges will be trained to assess both areas. During competition, judges will be assigned a focus area based on their seating position: they will draw a seat number, with alternating seats designated for Technique and Artistry. Judges will then evaluate each performance through the lens of their assigned category.
This does not mean technical skills are becoming less important - skill, quality, creativity and performance will continue to play a major role in the discipline, making strong fundamentals more important than ever.
Another takeaway from the seminar was that everyone involved in the sport will need to remain flexible as Synchro9 continues to evolve.
"We'll all need to be flexible while this new kind of synchro finds its feet. Everyone is trying their best to make this the best it can be."
As additional competitions, seminars and ISU communications are released, athletes, coaches and officials will continue learning and refining the discipline together.
Focus on What You Can Control
The next few years will bring new information, new opportunities and undoubtedly some changes as Synchro9 continues to evolve.
But the best thing athletes can do right now is focus on the things that have always mattered.
Become a stronger skater.
Become a stronger teammate.
Become more adaptable, more coachable and more consistent.
It can be tempting to chase the latest trend or search for a shortcut to Olympic success, but the reality is that many aspects of the Synchro9 pathway have yet to be defined. Don't abandon the fundamentals - instead, focus on building a strong foundation. Take care of your body and mind so that you're well-positioned not only for this Olympic cycle, but for the opportunities that may emerge beyond it. Long-term athlete development, recovery and injury prevention remain just as important as skill development.
The pathway to the Olympic Games may still be taking shape, but the athletes who continue investing in those qualities today will be best positioned to take advantage of whatever opportunities tomorrow may bring.
At OneTeamMVMT, we'll continue following official developments and sharing resources, updates and educational content to help athletes, families and coaches navigate this exciting new chapter in synchronized skating.