Symmetry and precision. The Fond du Lac Blades are a synchronized skating team made up of ladies from 14-18 years old. And their focus is on coordinated footwork and ice presence.
Pam Palines is a freshman at St. Norbert College and has been on the team for six years. Palines said, "It seems that each year we get stronger and we've been working so incredibly hard to get to where we are now."
A couple other Green Bay area members go to Bay Port High School. Cara Gabriel explained, "I would say we're very close. I mean we train six hours a week, three days a week." "I just love the team sport. I love being with the team and making friends. They're like my sisters," added Macy Bania.
Their coach Jenny McMahon was part of the original team in Fond du Lac, when the sport was called precision skating.
"Back then it was just straight lines and now it's difficult footwork, adding twizzles, jumps, spins, lifts," explained McMahon.
Now, the ladies are taking their talent overseas. After finishing 6th at Nationals last year, the Blades became part of the international selection pool. After their recent performances they were chosen by U.S. officials to compete in Switzerland.
"I started crying, I was super excited," exclaimed Palines.
"We can't even believe it. I can't grasp the idea of leaving already. It's just crazy," added Bania.
The Blades will be one of eight teams competing from five different countries. And like other figure skating competitions there's both a short and long program.
"Portraying a character and even technical could win the competition for you. So every single time you have to try, you have to do your best," said Gabriel.
The ladies can't wait to show off their skills, while representing their communities.
"Even from Fond du Lac and Green Bay, small cities like that, we can do these type of things and there's this talent out there and it's great," said Palines.
"It's just a really big privilege to be Team USA and be selected by the USA committee," added Bania.
Synchro isn't an Olympic event yet, but there's hope that its growing popularity will help it glide right into the games.
