Student team takes first place

The Precisionaires, the collegiate team representing the UD Figure Skating Club (UDFSC), skated to first place in the January U.S. Figure Skating 2001 Eastern Synchronized Team Sectional competition in Buffalo, N. Y. The team, which came in second place nationally last year, will compete in the nationals in Colorado Springs in mid-March.

According to faculty adviser for the Precisionaires Harry Shipman, Annie Jump Cannon Professor of Astronomy and a member of the Delaware Dazzle team, "the Precisionaires skated a really challenging program and skated it well. They were way ahead of the competition and deserved their gold medal."

Pam Welch, HNS '78, and Wendy Deppe, CHEP '89, coach the team, which was formed in 1979.

Other UDFSC teams took top honors, placing in the top four in their categories and they also will compete at nationals. The Diamondaires (adult) placed second; the Skating Edge (senior) took fourth place; and the Delaware Diamonds (masters) also placed fourth.

UDFSC introductory synchronized skating teams, which do not compete in the nationals, also performed well. The Icicles (teen introductory) and Delaware Dazzle (adult introductory) both placed first.

The Silver Swans (teen introductory) placed sixth; and the Ducklings (youth introductory) placed third in the qualifying round and eighth overall.

–Sue Moncure