Lyndsay Handell and Heather Kofoed ’13

Lyndsay and Heather are both sophomores here at UNH.  They transferred here at the beginning of the year and joined the UNH Synchronized Skating team.  While they are preparing to leave on Wednesday for the United States Figure Skating Championships in California, we asked them a few questions to learn more about their sport.  Good luck from the Her Campus team!!

HC: How long have you been skating?
Heather- I’ve been skating since I was 4 but i’ve been doing synchronized skating since the fourth grade
Lyndsay- I’ve been skating since first grade but started synchronized skating in sixth grade

HC: What is the competition you’re attending? 
On Wednesday March 2nd we will be leaving for the United States Figure Skating Championships in Ontario, California. Each region of the US (east, south, north, and west) all send the top four teams from the qualifying round which was held this year in Lake Placid for the East Coast Region. Universities like UNH, BU, Delaware, Michigan,Western Michigan, Colorado, Miami of Ohio, and Illinois will all be fighting for the top positions this year. 

HC: Is this your first major competition? 
This would technically be our second major competition. We look at East Coast Championships as important as well because you have to place in the top 4 just to make it to Nationals. This year we placed in third just a few points behind second place. 

HC: What has been your most memorable experience skating?
Both of our most memorable experiences would have to be skating at the 2008 Junior World Skating Championships in Rouen, France. This was an amazing opportunity and we would go back to that competition if we could. Its a really rewarding experience being able to represent your country and to have fans come out from all over the world to support the sport. 

HC: How is the competition laid out?
The competition takes a few days to get through. There are a bunch of divisions the most competitive being Junior, Senior, and Collegiate. Each team practices in the rink for a official 15 minute practice usually on the morning of the competition day. Then the rest of the day is spent getting ready (hair and makeup, or extra floor practice) until your warm up at the rink. Then before you know it you’ve already stepped into the Kiss And Cry area and are awaiting your scores. 

HC: What’s it like skating for UNH?
Skating for UNH is a lot of hard work. The skaters all come from a lot of different backgrounds and different teams from all over. There are six members of the 2008 Junior World Team, and nine past members of Team USA on the team this year. A lot of people aren’t aware of how much time we put into practice each week, generally around 8 hours minimum. Most of our practices are really early in the morning, we are usually always at the Whitt on tuesday and thursday mornings from 5:30-8:00 am. 

HC: Do you have any local competitions that collegiettes could attend?
Our season is winding down with only nationals left, but during regular seasons we compete in Cape Cod, Lowell, Boston, and have a show at the Whitt every year. 

HC: What’s your favorite part of being on the skating team?
Our favorite part about being on the skating team is that we still get to do something we love even now in college. Though the 5:30am mornings can be a struggle sometimes, its still as rewarding as ever just going back to Nationals. We also get to skate together in addition to living together, which is great cause we’ve known each other since sixth grade so its really easy for us.