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Post by aaosmts19 on Apr 18, 2008 11:28:18 GMT -5
Hello, Bringing this over from OZ for ongoing conversation: The Virginia Speedskating Elite Team is a new, free, year-round training program for skaters aspiring to elite-level performance. It's hoped that this team will be a combination of National Team as well as Development skaters of a wide range of ages. This program is based in Richmond, VA and is being announced at this weekend's US Speedskating spring board meeting in Bethlehem, PA. www.ohnozone.net/Virginia%20Speedskating%20Elite%20Team%20Announcement.pdf |
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Post by aaosmts19 on Apr 18, 2008 11:37:49 GMT -5
Firstly I have to say that pretty much all of my speedskating knowledge comes from hanging out here in GA and OZ over the past year (shamefully since the end of DWTS4).
Had an amazing time with you all learning about the rankings and how things are run and the difference between this compeition and that....toggling back and forth thru umpteen screens during live performances that none of us could see...at all hours of the morning!
So it should come as no surprise to you that yet again I bring my questions to you all.
Reading the announcement of the Elite Team.
It would seem that this is in direct competition to what's going on out in Kearns. For the 'up-and-comers' that this might attract, aren't they already out in Utah?
How do you define an up-and-comer?
Interesting that you have to move here year-round....seems like the same type of setup as in Utah.
So what's the difference?
Is this a program that Lezleigh might be helped by? Where does her ranking fit into this new program?
So many questions....
Where do you suppose the $$ is coming from?
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Post by Lori on Apr 18, 2008 12:22:43 GMT -5
I saw that too, AAO. It looks like a fabulous program that a lot of skaters would be excited about getting in on.
I don't know how it would compare to SLC, but on the surface it appears that for younger skaters it gives a living situation that would be more supervised. There is already a 'core' group of skaters who train in Marquette at the USOEC rather than SLC - I don't know how that works either, but this may be similar to that.
I would suppose that Lezleigh and others at her level would be perfect candidates for this program! This is all quite a learning experience for me as well, and it'll be an interesting story to follow.
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Post by number1fan on Apr 18, 2008 20:22:30 GMT -5
aao...thank you for bringing this info over!
looks like the st movement is gaining momentum! 
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Post by daisymomma on Apr 22, 2008 19:13:41 GMT -5
I agree I hope that we see skaters like Lezleigh and Travis in the program.I am sure there are many more deserving skaters too.Like Barry and Anthony.So many fascinating up and comers.
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Post by aaosmts19 on Apr 22, 2008 20:10:51 GMT -5
I agree I hope that we see skaters like Lezleigh and Travis in the program.I am sure there are many more deserving skaters too.Like Barry and Anthony.So many fascinating up and comers. I'm so confused with this whole thing...is this a venue that Lezleigh or Travis might funnel into? Hasn't Travis been training in SLC? When would someone be training in SLC and when would they be training in SoCal or Virginia? Is this new team a mid-step between the local clubs and training in SLC? Just when I start getting a handle on how the 'farm teams'work, they change the rules! Inquiring minds want to understand!? |
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Post by Lori on Apr 22, 2008 20:28:04 GMT -5
I agree I hope that we see skaters like Lezleigh and Travis in the program. I am sure there are many more deserving skaters too.Like Barry and Anthony.So many fascinating up and comers. I'm so confused with this whole thing...is this a venue that Lezleigh or Travis might funnel into? Hasn't Travis been training in SLC? When would someone be training in SLC and when would they be training in SoCal or Virginia? Is this new team a mid-step between the local clubs and training in SLC? Just when I start getting a handle on how the 'farm teams'work, they change the rules! Inquiring minds want to understand!? Yeah, aao, my understanding is that it IS a mid-step. Travis will have access to the 'national team' training in SLC by virtue of his AmCup championship, but I would assume that Lezleigh would be the type of skater to whom this program would appeal - SoCal does already have an 'elite' program, but it isn't free. It will be interesting to see who signs up - according to Steve Burton from VSS (quoted from OZ) " we have about 9 applications for the new program so far - very good skaters ranging from 11 - 19 years old so far." Age 11! Yikes! but one of my concerns was addressed by Steve: " the available housing will be home-based with adult supervision..." Here's the entire discussion so far from OZ: www.ohnozone.net/cgi-bin/mt/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=5368 |
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Post by number1fan on Sept 1, 2008 14:40:23 GMT -5
Melting pot on ice
Speedskating club is picking up speed with eye on Olympics
Friday, Aug 29, 2008 - 12:07 AM Updated: 02:30 PM
By FRED JETER
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Cosby senior Josh Burton was fifth overall (for his age group) and third in the 1,500 at last year's nationals VCU student Sonia Milan transferred from Northern Michigan University so she could train full-time. Her goal is to make the 2010 Olympic squad. Even in Richmond's hot, steamy summer, there's a 100 percent chance of cold and ice in the daily forecast for some local athletes.
Central Virginia has emerged as a gathering place for the frosty activity of short-track, speed skating.
"Steve Burton has taken charge, turning Richmond into a hotbed for skating, around the nation and around the world," said Virginia speedskating coach/program director Scott Koons, a 1998 Olympian.
Burton is executive director for Virginia Speedskating (founded in 2002 as "an idea"), with activity at Chesterfield's Ice Zone and SkateNation in Henrico.
Earlier this year, the club won 23 medals (10 gold) at the U.S. National Short Track Championships in Milwaukee.
"We're opening some eyes," Koons said.
Galaxy of stars: Five club athletes, having converged on Richmond, have qualified for the Senior Division America Cup on Sept. 27-28 in Minneapolis.
They are Jim Rowdowsky (Maryland), Sonia Milan (Cleveland), Kim Derrick (Kentucky), Jordan Malon (Texas) and Landon Hatfield, who commutes from Albemarle.
"We've got the best speed skating club in America, and the Olympic Committee is freaked out," Burton said. "They can't believe what we're doing in Richmond, Virginia, of all places."
Burton hatched the idea after marveling at Apolo Ohno on television ("It was the coolest thing," he said) at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
"We're excited about the Olympics being in Vancouver in 2010,' Burton said. "We hope to have at least two Olympians on the U.S. team."
Cosby kid: An impressive list of talented skaters includes Josh Burton, 17, a Cosby High senior and son of the director.
Josh was fifth overall (for his age group) and third in the 1,500 at last year's nationals.
"I like to go fast," said the team captain.
Discovering Richmond: Milan, 21, picked the local club to mount a comeback following a year lost to spinal injury.
She has transferred from Northern Michigan University to VCU to train full-time. Her goal is to make the 2010 Olympic squad.
"I found out about Richmond on the Ohno Zone [Web site for skating]," she said. "It helped that Coach Koons was one of my first coaches.
Koons said, "Sonia chose Richmond to resurrect her career."
International flavor: Koons drills the senior level athletes. The developmental coach is Sun-Tae Chea, and the novice coach is Ji Young Chea, both from South Korea.
Virginia Speedskating is a mix of national and international skaters, along with a hoard of entry-level children as young as 6.
"Those are our future Olympians," Burton said. "They're part of our feeder system."
Come one, come all: Burton said the club is "open to anyone," and he even offers the first month free.
"We supply the skates, the coaches -- everything you need to get started," he said.
www.inrich.com/cva/ric/living.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-08-29-0013.html
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~Lori
