The Elite 12 Division: A Painting in Progress

After skating with the Haydenettes for four seasons, synchronized skater Elissa Kempisty reflects on her switch from senior to the elite 12 division.
 
When the senior elite 12 division was created back in 2021, it was basically a blank canvas. The inaugural teams that season created a rough sketch, starting to slowly fill in the brush strokes toward a finished painting.
 
This season, senior elite 12 will enter its second official season after being approved at the ISU Congress as an official division of competition in 2022.
 
The Difference

The typical senior division consists of 16 skaters and the elite 12 division consists of 12 skaters. While both divisions represent Team USA internationally, elite 12 does not yet have representation at the World Championships. This is the next major goal for the division to gain traction for acceptance into the Olympic Winter Games.
 
Speed and formations are two major differences when you skate with 12 skaters compared to 16. With fewer skaters on the same sheet of ice, teams in the elite 12 division have more freedom and space to execute choreography from board to board. This can increase speed, which then adds a level of difficulty when the same intricacy of elements must be executed.
 
In addition to more speed, this division requires more creativity to diversify the elements while maintaining formation. One of my current teammates is Rory O'Brien, whom I was lucky enough to skate with on Lexettes, Haydenettes and now Hayden Select. She explains the difference in versatility of the two divisions well: "With only 12 skaters, you need to be perfectly in line for the judges to see the shapes we are making. For example, with 16 skaters you can make a square easily, but we have to get more creative with 12."
 
The Significance
The elite 12 division was created in 2021 to help push for synchronized skating to be included in the Olympic Winter Games. Mikayla Sagle, a member of the inaugural team and a current member of the Haydenettes spoke to me about the impact that this division has on the skating community: "Elite 12 is our current beacon of hope for including synchro in the Olympics, so seeing the division grow and succeed has been a very exciting thing for the synchro community."
 
It's true campaigns and programs like #WhyNotSynchro and the U.S. Figure Skating DREAM Program have helped to drive this change, but to see a division solely created for this purpose is major progress.
 
In addition to Olympic inclusion, this division will hopefully allow areas with fewer skaters to field higher-level teams. Many clubs within the U.S. lack high numbers of skaters but still have the skill and drive needed for a senior team. The development of elite 12 has the potential for skaters to have increased opportunities to compete at this high level, thus growing the sport overall.
 
I have always admired skaters on Hayden Select for their bravery and strength in delving straight into unknown territory. Skaters in the elite 12 division around the world are the changemakers paving the way for the future of synchronized skating. I hope that as it develops, more young skaters strive to grow this division to its highest potential. I can't begin to describe the energy that is felt radiating from the audience at the World Championships, especially at a home Worlds. It is an incredibly memorable experience. I can only imagine what it is like at the Olympics.
 
I have a vision of that finished painting: 12 skaters flowing around Olympic ice beautifully and eloquently as one unit. Vibrant colors of flags and audience support throughout the arena as skaters show their pride in representing their country. It is an illustration of a sport fulfilling its highest potential, which ultimately is the importance of this division.
 
The Switch: Haydenettes to Hayden Select
Someone once told me that when your time has come to retire from the sport, "you'll just know." I knew my time had not come to an end, but I wanted a change to be able to continue to grow both as a person and a skater. When I was 9 years old I set a goal to become a Haydenette. I achieved that goal, and as a result created a new one: to help get synchro into the Olympics. Making this switch is a small way for me to help push the sport towards the Olympic goal hopefully within my lifetime. No matter how many years until it is accepted or where those Olympic Games will be, when it becomes an Olympic sport, you can bet you will find me in the stands!
 
If my skating career story can inspire even just one young skater, then I have done my job. I am sure the skaters on the first precision skating teams back in 1956 could have only imagined the legacy and community they were creating within this sport. They inspired so many skaters over the years to set goals and achieve them.
 
Even though elite 12 is a new division, you do not yet see many skaters making a switch from senior to elite 12. I want to be a small part in normalizing that you do not have to retire from the sport once you feel your time at senior has come to an end. I have accomplished my goals and created new ones. With elite 12 there is more freedom, more room for creativity, and ultimately, room to grow. The opportunity to skate with different skaters and coaches is allowing me to learn in ways that have opened up my mind to new perspectives. I have only been with this team for a few months, but my new teammates and coaches have taught me so much already and I am super excited to see where this sport is headed!
 
Hopefully, within my lifetime this beautiful painting will be finished. Synchronized skaters finally will have the opportunity to compete at the Winter Olympics, and knowing I had a small part in the process adds meaning to my journey.