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Post by mtnme on Oct 21, 2008 10:07:08 GMT -5
Well, our skater stalking, umm, I mean meeting continues. Lori and I finally got to meet Izy, (Alex Izykowski) and I am happy to report, he is back on the ice and training for Nationals. That was so good to hear after such a tough year battleing injuries. YAAAA! and 'Go Izy!' We also met the elusive Ryan Levielle, (and Yes!, he does smile and it's a beautiful one at that! LOL) Nice as can be, and as we have experienced over and over with the ST skaters, they carry themselves with ethics and integrity. When we said we were part of The Rocker Fund he said "yeah, we know who you are" (YIKES!) I really wasn't asking him if he wanted to be a part of it, as I suspected (rightly) that he was doing just fine for funding....I just really wanted to meet him! LOL But since the conversation kind of 'went there', he was honest and said he was doing OK funding wise and didn't want to take away any opportunities from the other skaters. Man, ya just gotta love these guys. Ryan has a website, and the opening blurb says it all "...the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." Here's Ryans website, and I haven't had a chance to go through it all myself yet, but here ya go: crlspeedskating.com/On a 'fangirly' note, I have to say that photos do not come close to doing either of these two justice. Izy has the most gentle, kind face and Ryan has beautifuly dark, velvety brown eyes that really grab your attention. But more importantly, as we've experienced with all the skaters, they're just nice people. I couldn't begin to guess which individuals will ultimately make the Olympic team next year, and it becomes harder still for me to choose favorites to make it, as I would be proud to have any of these skaters represent the USA in Vancouver. ;D Go Team USA! |
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Post by lilyover76 on Oct 21, 2008 15:26:01 GMT -5
Hi... Sam and I made it to Vancouver at noon. What a beautiful train-ride this morning along Puget Sound, with periodic layers of fog to our west, softly draped over the San Juan Islands... and clearer to the east with a orange sunrise! As we went through customs here at the train station, we were asked what brings us to Vancouver. In a most enthusiatic demeanor, I told the agent that we were here for WC2 - short-track speed skating... plus the USA team was coming in today. Funny tho, she didn't have a clue b/c she doesn't follow this sport, but she was very friendly and welcoming... and let us pass through without a glance at our 5 bags! She didn't know about Apolo, much less any of the Canadian skaters.  LOL |
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maricorgi
Full Member
I've gone to the dogs.
Posts: 132
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Post by maricorgi on Oct 21, 2008 16:04:32 GMT -5
Home from Salt Lake WC and the only word I can use for this trip is... perfection. The company, the hotel, the venue, the weather, the friendly skater families, the experiences beyond description and most of all the skaters and the thrill of being right there in person. My roomie Wags brings gifts!!! and she is more fun than any human should be allowed to be. Through her I met my fave Jeff Simon as well as many other skaters. I snapped her cuddling up to Anthony Lobello who is darling when he smiles. Jordan Malone was working the crowd and my favorite photo is with him..if I can figure out how to upload it. Lily and Sam were so good to take me sight seeing into the mountains.. a sentimental journey. All the GA girlswere so fantastic. The time we spent with Andrew and Jessica was really special. Just being in the stands and cheering our heads off was exhilarating, plus spotting our favorites and other notables (Julianne and Derek's father!) was such great fun. The worst part was saying goodbye to the Oval. After two visits to this wonderful place it was hard to leave knowing I might not be back until there is another event which could be a while. I so enjoyed meeting new fans and GA folks.. we have bonds that will last always. The priviledge of watching Apolo was tenfold greater this time as he seemed so happy, relaxed and unbelievably fit to race. He is in a very very good place. I hope they race well this week and come home safe. I love our USA team, each and every one. Thanks again to you all..words truly fail me.
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Post by apolostarr on Oct 21, 2008 17:15:11 GMT -5
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Post by aaosmts19 on Oct 21, 2008 19:56:08 GMT -5
Did anyone see Yuki around this weekend?
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Post by autumnsbliss on Oct 21, 2008 20:55:31 GMT -5
Wow, I still can't believe how great that new SAFER wall is when it comes to people hitting them. Does anyone know if these walls are at Vancouver or at any of the other WCs? If anyone wants some added knowledge about the SAFER wall, here's a clip that can show you more details on what physics is going on: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEY3YkYy-Rw |
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Post by A.O.Freak on Oct 21, 2008 21:06:19 GMT -5
Wow, I still can't believe how great that new SAFER wall is when it comes to people hitting them. Does anyone know if these walls are at Vancouver or at any of the other WCs? If anyone wants some added knowledge about the SAFER wall, here's a clip that can show you more details on what physics is going on: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEY3YkYy-RwWe were sitting on the bleachers where apolo hit the wall.and there was this photographer on the wall taking pics when apolo hit the wall.And as soon as he hit the wall the photographer landed flat on his back.thats how fast Apolo was going.the photgrapher got back up on his feet and kept saying."I'm ok,I'm ok...poor thing.i felt bad for him also..  |
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Post by lilyover76 on Oct 21, 2008 21:14:48 GMT -5
Did anyone see Yuki around this weekend? No, Yuki wasn't in SLC, but is planning to be in Vancouver.  |
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Post by bubblebuttsbabe on Oct 22, 2008 1:21:03 GMT -5
Does anyone know if these walls are at Vancouver or at any of the other WCs? I don't know if they are in Vancouver, but I believe the pad system in SLC is the same as the one in Calgary (not that it helps the skaters for this coming WC if Vancouver doesn't have them ). I think Calgary was one of the first places to have this pad system. |
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Post by aaosmts19 on Oct 22, 2008 6:27:55 GMT -5
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Post by susie on Oct 22, 2008 16:25:25 GMT -5
Wags, I'm going to give you an assist on enlarging your beautiful pic of Charles.  (I clicked on the photo in your Photobucket account, then right-clicked on it to go to "Properties," to get the web addy of the bigger shot.) Charles is so cute. He's all business when he's warming up or skating. But when a fan asks him for a photo, he turns on that oh-so-sweet smile. It's like the sun coming out.  |
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Post by susie on Oct 22, 2008 16:37:14 GMT -5
Aofreak, I believe that I saw you at one point. You were sitting above the coaches area and had a camera with a SLR-like body and a short lens -- maybe a nicer point-and-shoot, or one of the new crossover cameras? So how are the Apollo burgurs? I think all the fans get a kick out of it whenever they see that sign. That's so cool that you saw Apolo jogging outside the Oval -- the weather was certainly nice enough. I've seen him jogging on the inside track a couple of times. He's a sweet sight in shorts, isn't he?  I imagine the Oval might very well feel cold to a Texan. It was definitely a little colder on Saturday than it had been on Friday. I'm glad that you had a great weekend. Come over and say hello next time! |
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Post by A.O.Freak on Oct 22, 2008 17:24:54 GMT -5
Aofreak, I believe that I saw you at one point. You were sitting above the coaches area and had a camera with a SLR-like body and a short lens -- maybe a nicer point-and-shoot, or one of the new crossover cameras? So how are the Apollo burgurs? I think all the fans get a kick out of it whenever they see that sign. That's so cool that you saw Apolo jogging outside the Oval -- the weather was certainly nice enough. I've seen him jogging on the inside track a couple of times. He's a sweet sight in shorts, isn't he? I imagine the Oval might very well feel cold to a Texan. It was definitely a little colder on Saturday than it had been on Friday. I'm glad that you had a great weekend. Come over and say hello next time! hi susie  on saturday we were sitting to the coaches left side.because this sweet lady told me and my friend that we could get awesome views of Apolo skating. then on sunday we sat right next to where the atheletes were coming out to skate.and Jeff simon was sitting right next to us.he has some beautiful eyes  and i saw the ladies with the light-blue sweaters..i wanted to get up and say hi but i didnt want to leave my friend alone cause she felt so out of place..i think people knew she wasnt a fan..lol,but i truly apologize  |
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Post by number1fan on Oct 22, 2008 21:28:03 GMT -5
We were sitting on the bleachers where apolo hit the wall.and there was this photographer on the wall taking pics when apolo hit the wall.And as soon as he hit the wall the photographer landed flat on his back.thats how fast Apolo was going.the photgrapher got back up on his feet and kept saying."I'm ok,I'm ok...poor thing.i felt bad for him also..
right side of the steps from about midsection to all the way up to the top of the stands...so sorry we missed
you  . as a first timer, wasn't the experience AMAZING!?!?!? i'm looking forward to seeing your pics too!
glad you had a most unforgettable time! |
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Post by number1fan on Oct 22, 2008 21:30:12 GMT -5
wags...thank you so much for the $$$ shot of charles...soo dreamy! and susie...thank you for blowing it up 
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