**Torvill and Dean Return to Nottingham to Launch Synchro9 World Championships**
British ice dance legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean made a nostalgic return to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, the site where their illustrious careers began, to announce the inaugural Synchro9 World Championships. This new competition, set to take place from March 27 to April 4, 2024, marks the introduction of a fresh Olympic discipline that aims to reshape the landscape of synchronized skating.
The Motorpoint Arena holds significant sentimental value for Torvill and Dean, as it is where they first teamed up as teenagers and where they performed their final show in July 2025 after an extraordinary 50-year partnership. “For us, this is where it all started,” Dean remarked, highlighting the importance of the venue in their storied history. He also noted that many of the competitors in the upcoming championships could be future Olympians, stating, “A lot of the skaters will start their Olympic journey out of this competition.”
Synchro9 is designed to feature teams of nine skaters, a departure from the traditional synchronized skating format, which typically consists of teams of 16. This new format will debut at the Alpes 2030 Olympics and will also be included in the 2028 Youth Winter Olympics. The International Skating Union (ISU) is optimistic that the revamped version will attract a wider audience, drawing parallels to the increased popularity of sports like rugby sevens and three-on-three basketball. “This is going to be a completely different feel,” said Martyn Hindley, the ISU’s head of corporate communications and public relations.
The new competition format promises a more dynamic viewing experience, as it will incorporate head-to-head knockout rounds and a draw system akin to that used in soccer tournaments. Dean expressed confidence that this condensed format would enhance the excitement of the performances while also creating new opportunities for female skaters in a sport where women have historically outnumbered men. “There are a lot of lady skaters in the world and fewer men,” he noted, while Torvill humorously recalled the competitive landscape of their era.
Despite the new format, the technical challenges of synchronized skating remain formidable. With nine skaters required to execute intricate moves in perfect unison, any misstep can lead to significant disruption. “If one skater goes down, it’s like a pack of cards,” Dean explained, while Torvill emphasized the importance of timing and synchronization in their routines.
Maggie Still, Chief Executive of British Ice Skating, expressed her enthusiasm for the Synchro9 format, suggesting that it could broaden the sport’s appeal through its emphasis on teamwork and athleticism. “Our aim is to drive greater participation in sport,” she stated, praising the dynamic and engaging nature of synchronized skating.
Torvill and Dean, who famously captured Olympic gold with their iconic “Bolero” routine in Sarajevo in 1984 and secured four world titles, have transitioned into retirement with a slower pace of life. Torvill shared that she has taken up tennis, while Dean continues to work as a choreographer. Both remain deeply connected to their roots in Nottingham, where Dean once drove the Zamboni to prepare the ice for early morning practices. “It does feel like our home,” he remarked, referring to the arena as a “cathedral” of skating.
As the countdown to the Synchro9 World Championships begins, the excitement is palpable for both the athletes and the skating community. Torvill and Dean’s involvement in launching this new discipline serves as a testament to their enduring legacy in the sport and their commitment to fostering the next generation of skaters.