ST Am Cup1 (World Qualifier #1, 2, 3, 4)

[sk8on]

Sept 28, 2008 23:02:52 GMT -5 number1fan said:

Sept 28, 2008 20:19:52 GMT -5 susie said:

ETA: Noelle has posted on OZ that Maria Garcia has declined her spot on the WC team and will be replaced by Jessica Smith. I'm sure that there's a story behind that...

yeah...i caught that too. we'll just have to wait and see.
jessica...congrats and make us proud!

Noelle posted another update on this:

udpate 2: Latest word is that Maria is declining her spot for the SLC World Cup only, but will skate in World Cups 2 and 3. Jessica will therefore take Maria's spot in SLC.

[lilyover76]

Sept 28, 2008 17:46:28 GMT -5 aaosmts19 said:

Thanks to the volunteers who carry out the important roles! Some day when I grow up I aspire to be a pee cop, too!

Thanks to everyone, who brought us the race results, great job!

aaosmts19 --- thanks to you too... that was quite a job to post all the results for us! ;D
"Pee cop"... that's too funny!!!

[bubblebuttsbabe]

I'm putting these here cause they are about AM Cup 1:

- - - - - -

LA Time Forum: latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/09/sucess-in-the-l.html

Chicago Tribune Blog: newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2008/09/sucess-in-the-l.html

Success in the long run -- or skate -- for Shani

By Philip Hersh

Olympic champion Shani Davis has more reason that ever to concentrate all his energy on long-track speedskating, in which he almost certainly will be a medal favorite in two events at the 2010 Olympics.

Davis, who likes to break up his season by skating short track for part of it, failed to make the fall U.S. World Cup team in short track when he finished 7th in American Cup I over the weekend in Plymouth, Minn.

He already is a World Cup team member in long track.

Davis, 26, was 2006 Olympic champion at 1,000 meters and silver medalist at 1,500. He utterly dominated the 1,000 on the World Cup circuit last year, winning 9 of 10 races, then capped the 2007-08 season with the world single distance title. He also was World Cup leader and single distance bronze medalist at 1,500.

Other speedskating news: Three-time Olympian Jennifer Rodriguez, who retired after the 2006 Olympics, is back in training and concentrating on the sprints. Rodriguez, 32, was 2002 Olympic bronze medalist at 1000 and 1,500 meters.

The U.S. women's speedskating team needs all the help it can get, given the abysmal results since the Turin Winter Games. No U.S. skater made the top 10 in any event at the 2008 single distance worlds, and none has won a medal in any World Cup event the past two seasons.

- - - - - -

www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/29870004.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUjc8LDyiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

U gets back on track in women's soccer

By FROM NEWS SERVICES
Last update: September 29, 2008 - 4:34 PM

Etc.

• Katherine Reutter of Champaign, Ill., won the women's 1,000-meter event and the 1,500-meter super final during the final day of the American Cup I Short Track speedskating event at the Plymouth Ice Center. Anthony Lobello of Tallahassee, Fla., won the men's 1,000 and Jeff Simon of Las Vegas won the 1,500.

[mtnme]

Well, I'm home safe and sound, I've had a nap (4:30 am - ack!) and I see Wags is logged in, so she's here too. I know you have all been patient, so I'll try to put some thoughts in order.

First off, it was a GREAT weekend. You just can't go wrong being up close and personal at a Short Track event. I am happy to say, I met every one of The Rocker Fund skaters (except for Kyle Uyehara....next time Kyle...) They are all SO unbelievably grateful for all of your donations.

Lezleigh Jaworski- what a pretty young lady, and so very nice. She said your donations were the reason she was even there. Your donations bought her a few months of ice time, so that she could work and save up enough to pay for the rest of them. Lezleigh didn't make the team this time around, but she had some good races, she certainly has the talent. Good luck to Lezleigh with her upcoming races, and I'm sure we'll see her at Nationals in St Louis

Barry Winslow - Well actually, the whole Winslow family. Your donations earned me a big hug from not only Barry, but Mom and Dad as well. If you didn't think even the smallest of your donations made a difference, think again. They made a HUGE difference in this family's. At this level, when skaters are at the cusp, is when the cost is most dear. Not quite on the Senior National team, but getting close, is when it's dire. Barry said he is training for Junior Nationals as his most important race, so this was a good warmup.

Anthony Barthell The ice seemed really soft at this event, and the skaters looked like they were having a tough time keeping their edges and staying out of the ruts. Anthony trains at the Oval, and probably is used to those better ice conditions. I sensed he was really disappointed in himself at this event, but it's the beginning of the season, and I'm sure his next event will be much better.
On a sad note, I debated on whether to tell you all about this, but Homie passed away just before the event. I know everyone fell in love with this little hamster, and our little 'mascot' will be missed.

Kyle Uyehara I didn't get a chance to meet Kyle, but he cuts an impressive figure on the ice. Kyle did well in some of his heats, but it looked like he was battleing some painful back injuries, which seemed to get the better of him as the weekend went on. He still got out there and tried to keep on keepin' on. We hope you're on the mend soon, Kyle. We look forward to seeing you at nationals.

Dan Fiorenza As charming as he is handsome. What a nice guy. Dan is training at Marquette and is part of their college program there. (I can't imagine trying to train, compete, go to school, in addition to holding down a job ... these skaters are BUSY!) I think he'll be at Nationals, and you can't miss him! That turquise skinsuit definitley gets noticed.

Jonathan Sermeno Jonathan hasn't been up for Skater of the Month yet, (October) but he sure was impressive this weekend. He kept up with 'the big dogs', so I'm sure we'll be seeing great things from him in the future. Way to go Jonathan, we look forward to seeing you again in December.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm fading again, (and DWTS is on- please, is Cloris going home yet?) ..... So I'll write more later.

...Don't get too excited, as usual, my photos really suck....

[wags]

Hey guys! Sorry to make you wait sooo long for a follow up report but had to get back home and kiss the hubby, pet the dogs, and watch DWTS. (or was that pet the hubby and kiss the dogs? I never can get that right) Anyway....to start off I just have to tell you that I'm going to have a hard time topping this trip. It was FANTASTIC!!. (no pun intended)

Friday - Got in around noon and meet up with Lori. We spent the time waiting for mtnme watching practice at the arena. Very nice venue. I was impressed.
When we picked mtnme up at the airport she was telling us that Jordan Malone was on her flight. (way cool) She said he was inside sitting alone and waiting. So after a few minutes of indecision we turned and proceeded back into the terminal. This was no time for the faint of heart! I walked right up to him, stuck out my hand, introduced myself and mtnme and told him, " Hi Jordan, I know you don't know us but we know you and we're fans. We were just wondering if you needed a ride to your hotel. We're going to the Country Inn and we'll be happy to take you."
After he got over the initial shock, he told us, "Thanks", but his Mom was on the way.
We proceeded to tell him how sorry we were that he wouldn't be skating, but we were very pleased to see him there anyway.
About 2 or 3 more minutes of chit-chat then we left him to wait for his ride.
Well we spent the whole ride back to the hotel watching for blue lights in the rearview just knowing that he had called the police to report two crazy stalker women trying to get him into their car for foul proposes. LOTS of laughs about that one! (part 2 of this story later)
Spent the evening putting together Rocker Fund bracelets. (a word of advice - cut and tie, then wine and rum)

Saturday - Got up and went downstairs for skater watch (aka: breakfast). Saw several people we recognized. Lori told me I was weird. (I thought everybody put corn chex in their yogurt)

Put on our little blue coats with our Rocker Fund patches sewn (or taped or stapled) in place and got to the arena about 30 minutes before they opened the doors for skater watch (aka: checking out the seating) And....are you guys ready for this....they were very gracious and solicitous to us due to our purchase of VIP tickets. They were informative, pleasant and anxious to please! You could have knocked me over with a feather! They were so accommodating that I became suspicious that mtnme and I weren't out of the woods yet. Maybe the police had told them to detain us until the SWAT team arrived. But I guess Jordan's mom had decided to cancel the Amber Alert for attempted kidnapping.
Doors opened and let me tell you, as far as networking goes, Microsoft could learn a thing or two from Lori. I've never seen anything like it. If there was anyone there she didn't know, I didn't see them. We all decided to stick together at first so she could show me the ropes. Then...divide and conquer! During the Zamboni breaks she would go call "19" and give a report and mtnme and I would do a little "meet and greet" when we could.
And some of these races were as exciting as any I've seen. WC has nothing on this. These guys are hungry. They want it.

(part 2) Sat afternoon we were just sitting watching the races when Jordon comes up to us and thanks us for offering him a ride! He had told his mom that it one of the sweetest things that had happened to him. When Lori was able to revive mtnme and me, Jordan and his mom proceed to sit down and talk to us for about 30-45 minutes!!!! Maybe longer, I just didn't want to exaggerate.

Well, by the end of the evening we were known as the Blue Jacket or Rocker Fund women. I don't know whose idea the matching jackets was but they deserve snaps or props or street cred or whatever you give now. It worked GREAT!! We were very recognizable and people started looking for the coats or the patch. And they would ask about the Rocker Fund.

I will continue this post shortly. (don't want to lose it and I have to pee anyway) ((sorry if that's TMI))

[wildfire]

Thanks so much mtnme and wags for your great recaps so far from the Am Cup! Sorry to hear about Homie...=( dang. But I'm sure he lived a good little life!
Can't wait to hear more (ie the Part 2's)! You guys are amazing...for real! Great job with TRF and garnering interest more while you were there! Yay! Thanks again...hope you went pee Wags. LoL! Reminds me...what's the story with being on the "Patrol"??

[bubblebuttsbabe]

All of your reports make me wish I had been there! I need to go to another event soon so I can meet you guys! Jordan and Peggy are so amazing! I am so glad the short track season is back. ;D

[wags]

OK. Back to the story. Well needless to say that I felt a little guilty because I was able to enjoy the races while Lori was busy keeping track of all the race info and phoning in the reports, mtnme was schmoozing with the skaters and their families and tiff was taking pictures. They were doing all the work and I was reaping the benefits. Oh well....somebody had to watch the butts...I mean skinsuits...I mean races. Yeah, that's it! I mean the races.

Saturday went way late and we were drop dead tired when we got back to our room. But like the troopers they are, mtnme, tiff and Lori gave you guys an update. I went to sleep! Love ya' but sorry!!

Sunday was so cool because people were looking for us and skaters were coming to talk to us. I really felt like a VIP. Lori will not be able to post for a while due to the fact that one woman stopped us to ask about the Rocker Fund and, as I found myself totally unprepared (as in no bracelets in my pockets) I ripped the bracelet right off Lori's wrist to give to the woman. (sorry about that wrist Lori. I'm sure it will heal up in no time)

Several of the young skaters found us and talked to us about TRF and mtnme would tell them what we needed to get them in the spotlight.

Now for the highlight of the trip!!!!!!!!

It was late Sunday afternoon and one of the race officials came up to us and asked if we would like to volunteer to be chaperone's for the skaters for their doping tests. We asked if we would be able to pick our skaters. He said sorry but no. It was completely random. Well we decided it would be a unique opportunity, so why the he[[ not. He leads us down to the heat box and we're surrounded by spandex!!!! It was heaven! (swoon) OK....focus wags, focus! So then this pee test bitc...nazi....woman with an unenviable position on just what constitutes a volunteer slaps us around for a bit because we had never done this before. (screw her, I want to get to the pee cups) mtnme didn't have her watch with her so she went back to the stands (which turns out to be all good). By the way, see if you can get Lori to tell you just who "backed into" her! So we're standing there like good little soldiers getting ground to dust by this bitc...nazi...woman who has obviously had a most unfortunate childhood when we get our "assignments". When I get my sheet and I see Jeff Simon written on it I nearly SH!T. Then Lori gets JR and tiff gets Travis. LIFE IS GOOD!!!!
We're supposed to follow these guys around after they exit the ice and keep them in visual contact until they have to pee. They have 1 hour in which to complete the test. Well OK by me!!!! So I walk up to Jeff and introduce myself and tell him I'm his pee monitor. He says great, glad to meet you, fills out the form and apologizes because he doesn't have to pee right now. He tells me he wants to go talk to his coach. I said fine, lead on. Then he turns around, looks at my TRF patch and says, "Oh, you're one of The Rocker Fund ladies. I've been wanting to talk to you." He then tells me he has been thinking about putting something together to give us. He's telling me about how expensive it is to be on the WC team (he knows he's made the team) and most of them are really strapped. I told him to quit thinking about it and do it. With his recognition and fan base I know that he would get donations. yada, yada, yada. He goes to talk to the coach, friends, other skaters (I hang around trying to be inconspicuous) Then he says he needs to go to the locker room! GULP!
Well - what happens in the National Team locker room, stays in the National Team locker room. But just let me say, sign me up again anytime baby!!!
He gets all packed up and then decides he needs to pee. (awww shucks. we still had about 20 minutes left) We go to the testing station and I turn him over the USADA officials. I shake his hand and tell him that was the best time I ever had waiting for someone to pee. He said maybe I can do it again sometime. I told him maybe, but he would always be special to me because he was my first.
We go back to the hotel and sit in the lobby talking to Joey Lindsey, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Lobello (who tells us it seems pretty silly to skate around in circles wearing spandex) and Allison Baver! WOW, what a night!
OK. It's to bed with me. I'll add to this as I remember details. I'll sign off now with - I don't care what Anthony thinks. I say God Bless Spandex!

[wildfire]

Thanks wags and mtnme, etc! Love it!!! Very cool about TRF and all the good times you had! I felt like I was there with ya all! =) Can't wait for SLC now!!! Maybe someone peed in Ms. Congeniality's wheaties one too many times?! Yikes, glad you endured her though!
Lori...hope your hand is okay! LoL! For a good cause though...right?! Can't wait to hear from you all again! Thanks everyone again for the cool updates! I know you were dead tired, so kudos (or karma) to you all!

[number1fan]

mtnme...thank you so very much for your rundown on all the trf kids/families. it's good to hear that the donations (no matter how small) are making a difference to these hard working athletes!
gf, you're doing good work!

[sak755]

Sept 29, 2008 22:12:22 GMT -5 mtnme said:

Well, I'm home safe and sound, I've had a nap (4:30 am - ack!) and I see Wags is logged in, so she's here too. I know you have all been patient, so I'll try to put some thoughts in order.

First off, it was a GREAT weekend. You just can't go wrong being up close and personal at a Short Track event. I am happy to say, I met every one of The Rocker Fund skaters (except for Kyle Uyehara....next time Kyle...) They are all SO unbelievably grateful for all of your donations.

Lezleigh Jaworski- what a pretty young lady, and so very nice. She said your donations were the reason she was even there. Your donations bought her a few months of ice time, so that she could work and save up enough to pay for the rest of them. Lezleigh didn't make the team this time around, but she had some good races, she certainly has the talent. Good luck to Lezleigh with her upcoming races, and I'm sure we'll see her at Nationals in St Louis

Barry Winslow - Well actually, the whole Winslow family. Your donations earned me a big hug from not only Barry, but Mom and Dad as well. If you didn't think even the smallest of your donations made a difference, think again. They made a HUGE difference in this family's. At this level, when skaters are at the cusp, is when the cost is most dear. Not quite on the Senior National team, but getting close, is when it's dire. Barry said he is training for Junior Nationals as his most important race, so this was a good warmup.

Anthony Barthell The ice seemed really soft at this event, and the skaters looked like they were having a tough time keeping their edges and staying out of the ruts. Anthony trains at the Oval, and probably is used to those better ice conditions. I sensed he was really disappointed in himself at this event, but it's the beginning of the season, and I'm sure his next event will be much better.
On a sad note, I debated on whether to tell you all about this, but Homie passed away just before the event. I know everyone fell in love with this little hamster, and our little 'mascot' will be missed.

Kyle Uyehara I didn't get a chance to meet Kyle, but he cuts an impressive figure on the ice. Kyle did well in some of his heats, but it looked like he was battleing some painful back injuries, which seemed to get the better of him as the weekend went on. He still got out there and tried to keep on keepin' on. We hope you're on the mend soon, Kyle. We look forward to seeing you at nationals.

Dan Fiorenza As charming as he is handsome. What a nice guy. Dan is training at Marquette and is part of their college program there. (I can't imagine trying to train, compete, go to school, in addition to holding down a job ... these skaters are BUSY!) I think he'll be at Nationals, and you can't miss him! That turquise skinsuit definitley gets noticed.

Jonathan Sermeno Jonathan hasn't been up for Skater of the Month yet, (October) but he sure was impressive this weekend. He kept up with 'the big dogs', so I'm sure we'll be seeing great things from him in the future. Way to go Jonathan, we look forward to seeing you again in December.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm fading again, (and DWTS is on- please, is Cloris going home yet?) ..... So I'll write more later.

...Don't get too excited, as usual, my photos really suck....

Thank you so much for the detailed report on our Rocker Fund skaters! It is great to hear of their progress. I'm sad to hear about Homie passing away. He was an inspirational little mascot. I just want to give Barry Winslow a hug. Oh WTH I want to give them all a hug! But Barry holds a special place in my heart.

[number1fan]

wags...LOVED reading your recaps. you are soooo entertaining and fun! i can't wait to meet you!
hey, i'll be there for wc#1 in a few weeks maybe then!

ok ladies...c'mon, put up your dukes
let's see who gets to be apolo's 'pee police'/chaperone @ slc

karma coming to you when i can

[tiff]

OK WAGS, I CANNOT STOP LAUGHING ABOUT HOW YOU DESCRIBED THAT LADY IN CHARGE, I TOLD MY HUSBAND, WE ARE ALL ADULTS REDUCED TO INFANTS IN ONE SWOOP........I HOPE THAT SHE IS NOT LIKE THAT IN HER EVERYDAY LIFE............LOL ON THE UNFORTUNATE CHILDHOOD!

[mtnme]

Thanks Ladies for all the kudos. We're happy you're enjoying.

...So on with the story.

At breakfast our first morning, Lori seemed to have snapped up the best seat, seeing the skaters as they picked up their food. Since I didn't have eyes in the back of my head, and I'd have to do a full on Linda Blair neck swivel to see what she was talking about, I had to wait until they walked into the dining room. But by then, they were past me, so I became very familiar with the backs of their heads! LOL

Onto the rink. The skaters were all warming up, jogging, stretching, etc. We walked around the facility until the doors opened. We had our pick of seats, so of course we sat at the front. (Part of me couldn't help but think - "wouldn't it be great if this sport was so popular, that I had to fight a little harder for a good seat". If you haven't been to an event, you really must. You won't get this close to the action with most other sports)

Anyway, fast forward to the 'pee police'. I didn't have my watch on, and quite frankly, following an athlete around like some forlorn puppy dog wasn't quite what I had in mind.
So I was off the hook and went back to my seat to watch the races.
I have to backtrack here a bit. In addition to our blue coats with The Rocker Fund patch, we were also sporting the following pin.



In reference to the 'dueling doggerels' going on at OZ, (which eventually made their way here to the doggerel thread) between MT and Lori last March on Allison's medical plight, we were also sporting the above "Baver's Badasses' pins.

Now Lori had an issue with cuss words emblazoned across her chest in a public arena, so I promised her it would be small, and so scripted, people wouldn't know what it said unless they looked close. (I think I over-did it, I can barely read what it says- even when I look close, and I'm the one who drew it! LOL) Thus armed, we finally got up the nerve to introduce ourselves to Allison's mom, Dixie. We had a nice little chat, and Lori gave her pin to her.

Fast forward to later on. While Lori, Wags and Tiff were enjoying their stint as the 'pee police', Allison and Katherine came looking for me. Allison thought the pins were a hoot, and I gave her mine. (Be forwarned - You are ALL getting one- AND WEARING THEM at the world Cups! LOL.) I mentioned to Katherine that she had her Ruetter's Rooters, it was only fair that Allison got a little love too. They thought that was hilarious. Ruetter's Rooters and Baver's Badasses. They both had a posse!
Anyway, they too also had their own personal little 'pee policewoman', and as I suspected, I think they kind of enjoyed endlessly wandering thier chaperone around the rink.... and maybe a little longer than necessary...LOL

.....Hey, girls just wanna have fun....


On a side note, I do have to say, Allison's photo's don't come close to doing her justice. She is a VERY attractive young lady (heck, they all are!) and she certainly doesn't deserve the 'bad press' she gets hurled at her. I found her very personable, warm and exotically beautiful. I sincerely believe the perceptions and attitude others have written about her has much more to do with what those individuals choose to project on her as the result of thier own fantasies and jealousies. Truly not fair, and it was apparent the skaters do 'hear' about some of the snarky comments written about them. Katherine even mentioned someone getting nasty with her mom on one of the boards!
I didn't get the impression the skaters spend time looking at comments on boards, they're way too busy. But anything especially vile will probably get back to them. Just a gentle reminder that we are chatting about real people and the internet is a public entity. Think before you type....

Anyway, they wandered off to go pee in a cup- pee police in tow, and I waited to hear details from Lori and Wags about their 'experience'.

More to come... but in the meantime, I'll leave you with a small little treat before I wander back to bed.

Anthony Lobello up in the stands. (The skaters have to be absolutely still before I can pull off a decent shot- and even THOSE are iffy! LOL)

[A.O.Freak]

thnx for sharing your experience with us mtnme