What is Synchro9? US Synchro champion Cindy Kim gives us her 101

What is Synchro9? US Synchro champion Cindy Kim gives us her 101

A huge piece of news this week was that the 2030 Winter Olympics will have one more figure skating discipline, and that will be Synchro9. So what is Synchro9? How is that different from traditional synchronized skating? What does FIFA and the World Cup have to do with all of this? Cindy Kim, who won three US titles with the Haydenettes and is the coach of Team Image Junior, joins me to break down the fundamentals of Synchro9.

ISU reinstates Russia and Belarus skaters as neutral athletes

The day before the 2026-27 season officially begins, the ISU released its decision to partially lift the ban on Russia and Belarus on ISU and international competitions. A quick look at what that means for skaters and competitions this season.

Emergency episode: Grand Prix assignments announced! First impressions

The 2026-27 Grand Prix assignments were revealed today, and of course, we've got all kinds of feelings about them! The selection procedures were amended just a bit for this season, so there was a bit of confusion, especially about the seeded skaters. But Jackie brings you all of his first impressions about who's in, who's out, and which events have the most interesting fields!

ISU Congress 2026 and more off-season news!

Jackie is fresh off his trip to the 2026 ISU Congress, the first time that media has been invited to cover it in person. He has a lot to bring back from Congress, including clarifications on a lot of questions that skating fans had (what do you mean two free skates?!), changes coming to the Grand Prix and "Big Worlds," and rule changes in singles and pairs for the upcoming season. Also, Jackie and Michelle cover the latest off-season news, including the formation of Marjorie Lajoie / Jean-Luc Baker as the newest Canadian ice dance team.

ISU President Jae Youl Kim: Rocker Skating Podcast interview

"Athletes are the heart and soul of the sport, and we need to recognize the amount of work that the athletes put in." On this episode of The Rocker Skating Podcast, Jackie sits down with International Skating Union President Jae Youl Kim at the 2026 ISU Congress to talk about the changes to prize money and future competitions, how proposed changes are being done and where athlete representation comes in, what he's looking forward to in the next Olympic cycle, and the ISU's current stance on athletes from Russia and Belarus.