AMERICA'S LARGEST FIGURE SKATING EVENT LANDS IN THE TWIN CITIES--JAN. 28-31

The U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA) — the national governing body for the sport of figure skating — will be in the Twin Cities to host three days of competition for the Midwest and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships — the country’s largest figure skating event.

Synchronized skating is a large and fast-growing figure skating discipline, where between eight and 20 skaters skate on ice together as a team. The discipline is becoming so popular that the International Skating Union is lobbying to have the sport included in the 2018 Olympic Games.

Among the more than 170 teams competing are Edina synchro team Team Braemar, as well as the Chicago Jazz, both national champions in synchronized skating. The event is a rare chance to see, in person, the best synchronized figure skating in the nation. More than 2,500 figure skaters of all ages and levels from across the United States will compete for top honors. Winners will progress to the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships — then winners from that event will go on to the World Synchronized Skating Championships

It’s not often that the Twin Cities play host to a figure skating event of this caliber — so here’s a chance to drop by and scope out the talent — and a potential new Olympic sport. You might even meet the next Olympic synchro skaters!

The competition begins Thursday, Jan. 29. Opening ceremonies are Friday, 10:30 a.m. and the event ends with awards on Sat. eve., Jan. 31.

Braemar Ice Arena (7501 Ikola Way) in Edina, Minn.