Northbrook Team Elite Synchronized Figure Skating Team Prepares for World Junior Championships in Switzerland

NORTH BROOK, Ill. (WLS) — They glide across the ice in graceful, precise formations.

Northbrook’s synchro figure skating team will compete in the World* Junior Championships. A farewell party for the skaters is scheduled for Thursday.

As individuals, they are world-class figure skaters, but they are part of a team, and it’s not about standing out that matters. Synchronized skaters move in unison.

There are hundreds of teams around the world, but Northbrook’s Teams Elite is the No. 1 ranked junior team. Having won the All Japan Championship held in Las Vegas last month, they will now put their skills to the test at the World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships to be held in Switzerland.

Teams Elite Skater Avi Nelson said, “It felt like everything we had worked on all season paid off.”

They have dozens of wins at home and abroad and are running out of space in their trophy case. The team consists of 20 skaters, 16 of whom are on the ice at once.

“I’m very happy,” said Team Elite skater Quintin McCormick. “It’s an honor to represent our country internationally.”

The team typically practices at an ice rink in the Northbrook Park area. Most of the skaters are from the area, but the team has some of the best skaters from all over the country.

“What attracts them is the team,” Team Elite director Daniel Ostrovsky said. “It can be lonely when you’re completing it by yourself or just with someone else.”

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Synchronized skating is not yet an Olympic sport, but sports officials are lobbying for its addition. They said all the attention they can draw to the competition will help their cause.

“It’s a combination of gymnastics and figure skating, and the musicality is tailored to gymnastics,” said Team Elite coach Jamie White. “It’s original.”

After a big send-off party on Thursday night, they only have a few more practices before leaving for Switzerland on Sunday.

Next weekend is the world championship.