Post by bubblebuttsbabe on Sept 7, 2008 16:03:08 GMT -5
www.mlive.com/sports/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/122078251228390.xml&coll=4
SKATER ALREADY HAS A VANCOUVER PLAN
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Bay City Times
For years, Ryan Bedford has had his eyes on being a member of the U.S. Olympic Short Track men's speedskating team.
But now that the 21-year-old Midland skater has successfully dabbled in Long Track, his focus is on making both squads.
Bedford's push for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, begins later this month with the Short Track American Cup I (Sept. 27-28) in Minneapolis, Minn.
''This summer I took the opportunity to change up my routine and give long track a shot,'' said Bedford. ''I am back and forth training with both teams.
''I plan on keeping my main focus on Short Track for the time being, but depending on how well Long Track goes, I just might focus more on that.''
Bedford's goal, on the eve of American Cup I, is to try out for both Olympic teams next fall.
''Minneapolis is a World Cup qualifier, just as it was in Midland a year ago,'' Bedford said. ''I've been late to get on the Short Track ice this year due to focusing on more Long Track, but I will be ready.''
The thought of doing both Olympic sports had also crossed the mind of Bay City's Alex Izykowski, a 2006 Short Track bronze medal relayer. But injuries have taken their toll on Izykowski's chance to explore Long Track.
''Alex is the one skater I've looked up to since he started skating with me in Midland,'' Bedford said. ''From his ups and downs, I've seen it all.
''He is in rough shape right now, but I have no doubt that he will be back on the ice soon and he will be going fast again. Alex is probably one of the most talented skaters I've ever seen.''
While Izykowski's future was on ice the past season, Bedford skated well enough to make both national teams.
Not bad for a Midlander who got into long track skating just for fun.
''I'd heard from people that I would be good at long track over short track because of how tall I am and my endurance strength,'' said Bedford, who is ranked 10th in the World Short Track 1,500 meters. ''I started out wearing my short track skates.
''After getting the right equipment and skating trials, I amazed a lot of people with my performance.''
Although switching blades of glory (from racing against other competitors in circles around a short track to racing on long track against the clock) is a difficult balance because there's not enough time to train for both speedskating sports, Bedford said he's got that 'feeling' that he can do it.
''I can switch back and forth from long track to short track with very little loss of 'feeling.' Some people have a hard time making the switch,'' he said.
Bedford, who calls the Midland Speed Skating Club his home, almost got a chance to qualify for the Olympics on his home ice.
But a bid by the Midland club to host the Olympic Trials came up short.
''Of course I would have preferred the trials to be in Midland over Marquette,'' Bedford said. ''There would be no better feeling in the world than to make the Olympic Team in front of all of the people in Midland who have sacrificed so much for me and so much for the Midland Speed Skating Club.
''But I think it is still a big advantage to have the trials in my home state. If it couldn't be Midland, Marquette would be the next best thing.''
Bedford watched the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China, religiously last month.
''I watched them before practice and after practice,'' he said. ''I practically slept with my television on.
''The Summer Games are the one reality check that we get before it's our turn. We can sit back and see the tension and the hype that goes into it. It pumps us up. The hard part is to stay pumped up for another year and a half.''
For Bedford, only time will tell.
- - - - -
Good Luck, Ryan! And Get Well Soon, Izy!!
SKATER ALREADY HAS A VANCOUVER PLAN
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Bay City Times
For years, Ryan Bedford has had his eyes on being a member of the U.S. Olympic Short Track men's speedskating team.
But now that the 21-year-old Midland skater has successfully dabbled in Long Track, his focus is on making both squads.
Bedford's push for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, begins later this month with the Short Track American Cup I (Sept. 27-28) in Minneapolis, Minn.
''This summer I took the opportunity to change up my routine and give long track a shot,'' said Bedford. ''I am back and forth training with both teams.
''I plan on keeping my main focus on Short Track for the time being, but depending on how well Long Track goes, I just might focus more on that.''
Bedford's goal, on the eve of American Cup I, is to try out for both Olympic teams next fall.
''Minneapolis is a World Cup qualifier, just as it was in Midland a year ago,'' Bedford said. ''I've been late to get on the Short Track ice this year due to focusing on more Long Track, but I will be ready.''
The thought of doing both Olympic sports had also crossed the mind of Bay City's Alex Izykowski, a 2006 Short Track bronze medal relayer. But injuries have taken their toll on Izykowski's chance to explore Long Track.
''Alex is the one skater I've looked up to since he started skating with me in Midland,'' Bedford said. ''From his ups and downs, I've seen it all.
''He is in rough shape right now, but I have no doubt that he will be back on the ice soon and he will be going fast again. Alex is probably one of the most talented skaters I've ever seen.''
While Izykowski's future was on ice the past season, Bedford skated well enough to make both national teams.
Not bad for a Midlander who got into long track skating just for fun.
''I'd heard from people that I would be good at long track over short track because of how tall I am and my endurance strength,'' said Bedford, who is ranked 10th in the World Short Track 1,500 meters. ''I started out wearing my short track skates.
''After getting the right equipment and skating trials, I amazed a lot of people with my performance.''
Although switching blades of glory (from racing against other competitors in circles around a short track to racing on long track against the clock) is a difficult balance because there's not enough time to train for both speedskating sports, Bedford said he's got that 'feeling' that he can do it.
''I can switch back and forth from long track to short track with very little loss of 'feeling.' Some people have a hard time making the switch,'' he said.
Bedford, who calls the Midland Speed Skating Club his home, almost got a chance to qualify for the Olympics on his home ice.
But a bid by the Midland club to host the Olympic Trials came up short.
''Of course I would have preferred the trials to be in Midland over Marquette,'' Bedford said. ''There would be no better feeling in the world than to make the Olympic Team in front of all of the people in Midland who have sacrificed so much for me and so much for the Midland Speed Skating Club.
''But I think it is still a big advantage to have the trials in my home state. If it couldn't be Midland, Marquette would be the next best thing.''
Bedford watched the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China, religiously last month.
''I watched them before practice and after practice,'' he said. ''I practically slept with my television on.
''The Summer Games are the one reality check that we get before it's our turn. We can sit back and see the tension and the hype that goes into it. It pumps us up. The hard part is to stay pumped up for another year and a half.''
For Bedford, only time will tell.
- - - - -
Good Luck, Ryan! And Get Well Soon, Izy!!
~Lori