Editing Synchronized skating (section)

==Details==
Synchronized skating currently uses a judging format similar to singles, pairs and ice dancing. The discipline is primarily judged on skating skills, transitions, performance, composition, interpretation and difficulty of elements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usfsa.org/shell?id=59365|title=TEAM DEFINITIONS - usfsa.org|access-date=2017-02-27|archive-date=2017-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228080036/http://www.usfsa.org/shell?id=59365|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A synchronized skating [[Free skating|free skate]] program consists of elements that are executed in various shapes and formations both connected and disconnected, such as blocks, triangles, circles, lines, or wheels, done while intersecting, traveling across the ice, and rotating.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=June 2024 |title=SPECIAL REGULATIONS & TECHNICAL RULES SYNCHRONIZED SKATING 2024 |url=https://current.isu.org/synchronized-skating/rules/sys-regulations-rules/file |access-date=2024-12-25}}</ref> Teams are required to perform turns and step sequences, ranging in difficulty with each level.

There are many different levels including Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary, Beginner, Pre-juvenile, Open juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, Senior, and Adult.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Creative |first1=Taoti |title=U.S. Figure Skating |url=https://www.usfigureskating.org/ |website=U.S. Figure Skating |publisher=Creative |access-date=September 10, 2024}}</ref> In the highest-ranking levels, Junior and Senior division teams are required to perform a [[Short program (figure skating)|short program]] in addition to the free skate. The short program is more technical in nature, whereas the free skating program is longer and provides an opportunity to showcase expression, emotion and interpretation.<ref name="usfs-synchro" />

Junior level teams compete in the [[ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships|Junior World Synchronized Skating Championships]]. At the senior level, teams compete at the [[ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships|World Synchronized Skating Championship]].<ref name="usfs-synchro" /> All member nations of the ISU are allocated one entry for each level, countries that placed in the top five of the previous championship are awarded two team entries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Skating Union Special Regulations & Technical Rules – Synchronized Skating 2021 |url=https://www.isu.org/synchronized-skating/rules/sys-regulations-rules/file |access-date=2022-07-03 |url-status=deviated |archive-date=2022-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323084401/https://www.isu.org/synchronized-skating/rules/sys-regulations-rules/file}}</ref>

The required elements must be performed in specific ways, as described by published communications by the ISU, unless otherwise specified. The ISU publishes violations and their points values yearly. Situations warranting deductions in synchronized skating include elements where one-quarter of the team or more fails to execute a maneuver in congruence with the majority of the team, falls, interruptions, illegal maneuvers (such as cartwheels), and violations of the rules concerning time, music, and clothing.