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Post by evie5 on Dec 10, 2008 21:17:15 GMT -5
For those of us who cannot go to St. Louis--I have a Christmas present for you from USS: You are in luck! We will be hosting a webcast of the U.S. Short Track Championships on our website. More information will be coming your way in the next week. Stay warm! www.usspeedskating.orgThanks to Peri Kinder at USS for the info That is wonderful news!!! ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Mars on Dec 11, 2008 11:38:36 GMT -5
schweet  If nothing else...I'll be there in spirit  that's it, right here, right now, i solemnly vow to attend a race next season! Until then....Good luck! |
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Post by mtnme on Dec 13, 2008 1:48:44 GMT -5
Nice article in the St. Louis paper. Hey, at least they're advertising!  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Speed will be on display as top skaters come to townSports Columnist Kathleen Nelson [More columns] [Kathleen's Biography]By Kathleen Nelson ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 12/13/2008 St. Louis will take skating's center stage Thursday as host of the Monsanto U.S. Short Track Championships. The nation's top short track speed skaters will converge on the Hardee's Iceplex in Chesterfield for four days of racing that has been compared, perhaps unfairly, to NASCAR. The glaring similarity is that tight quarters lead to the occasional collision, which can send skaters crashing into the boards and out of the race. The sport's entertainment value was the starting point for the Missouri Speedskating Association's interest in hosting the event. "The whole purpose was to broaden the audience for short track," said Russ Owen, president of the association and race director. "We want to show how exciting this can be, to get new families involved and to develop a relationship with St. Louis companies to help fund this." So, to further the cause, we present four reasons you should care about the short track nationals: 1. Local tradition. At least one speed skater from St. Louis has represented the United States at every Olympics since 1968. The most recent was J.P. Kepka, bronze medalist in the 5,000-meter relay in Turin. Unfortunately, Kepka won't compete here. He had surgery recently after a foot injury did not heal properly. "Here it is, his hometown, and he won't be able to compete," Owen said. "It's too bad, because he beat Apolo (Ohno) last year and wanted to repeat in front of the hometown crowd." Other athletes competing with area ties include Carly Wilson and Katherine Reutter. A former figure skater in Jefferson City, Wilson trains in Salt Lake City and was a member of the women's world cup team last year. Reutter, the defending national champion, was born and raised in Champaign, Ill., but trained on weekends with the St. Louis Metros, so the locals consider her an adopted daughter. The area also has a rich tradition in hosting national events. The Silver Skates began in the 1920s on the Grand Basin in front of the Art Museum in Forest Park. Queeny Park welcomed the 1988 world championships, which determined the teams for the Calgary Olympics, where short track was introduced as a demonstration sport. The city most recently hosted the world junior championships and team championships in 1998 and 1999, respectively, both staged at Hardee's. "It's a great little world that they have created here," said Frank Viverito, president of the St. Louis Sports Commission, part of the local organizing committee. "We're delighted to be a part of it and want to see the sport continue to thrive here." 2. Apolo Anton Ohno. Winner of five Olympic medals, Ohno has been the overall U.S. champion since 2001 and won his first world overall title in March. At the most recent world cup event, he finished fourth in the 500 but is part of the 5,000-meter relay team ranked second in the world this year. Ohno's appeal transcends the sport. His charisma will put people in the seats, as will the attention he gained as 2007 champion of "Dancing with the Stars." 3. The crystal ball factor. The top finishers here will comprise the U.S. team for the second half of the world cup season and the world championships in March. They also will be early favorites for the 2010 Olympic team. In addition to Ohno and Reutter, keep an eye on Allison Baver, a two-time Olympian who has been the most consistent U.S. performer in the recent world cup events, ranking ninth overall. Viverito also indicated that the sports commission could be interested in hosting future Olympic trials. 4. It's a good deal. Tickets start at $5 and are available at the Iceplex. Or, call 314-504-6252 for more information. "This is as exciting a sport to watch as there is. It's quick, and these are the best in the world," Viverito said. "The question isn't, 'Why should you go?' but, 'Why would you not go?'" |
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Post by Lori on Dec 16, 2008 13:08:31 GMT -5
NEED SOME HELP! There is someone attending this event who has a 5:45 flight out of St. Louis Int'l on Sunday who is looking for a ride to the airport from the venue. If you know of anyone who has a 5-ish flight and would like to help this person, or share a cab or shuttle, please PM me asap and I'll give you the details... Thanks!  |
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Post by bubblebuttsbabe on Dec 17, 2008 5:15:40 GMT -5
St. Louis speed skaters create long-term legacy
By Kathleen Nelson
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
12/17/2008
The U.S. Short Track Championships this week at Hardee's Iceplex serve as a reminder of St. Louis' place in the sport: For more than three-quarters of a century, St. Louis has hosted national and international speedskating events and has sent at least one skater to the past 11 Olympic Games.
The legacy is impressive, considering St. Louis possesses neither a geographical nor climatological anomaly that lends itself to the sport. The region has no ice equivalent to surfing's Bonzai Pipeline in Hawaii, for example. Instead, the area owes its relative prominence to people — talented youngsters, committed coaches, even a quirky bootmaker.
Bruce Kohen, who lives near the Lake of the Ozarks, is a former skater and engineer and the genius behind SS Boots, worn by all but one U.S. short track medalist in Turin. Kohen's boots are handmade from casts of the skaters' feet, molded into carbon fiber and state-of-the-art.
"There's only a few thousand skaters, so my business is word of mouth," said Kohen, who plans to be in St. Louis this weekend to meet some of his clients.
Similarly, those in the know have spread the word about St. Louis' history as a host. In the past two decades, the Missouri Speedskating Association has hosted three events sanctioned by the world governing body, the International Skating Union, and has organized the Silver Skates, a national-level competition, every year since 1926.
"The skaters loved it," said Anne Parker, who has coached skaters in St. Louis since her days as a competitor ended in the 1970s. "Where else could they skate in front of 14,000 people, like they did at the Arena?"
More impressive than the events, though, are the accomplishments of local skaters: 46 age-group national champions, 10 North American champions. The area has contributed at least one athlete to 11 consecutive world cup teams, 28 athletes since 1974.
The streak of Olympians is a logical outgrowth, though Jim Chapin Sr. admitted, "there's a little bit of luck involved.
"The talent has to be there," said Chapin, technical director of the nationals. "If they get into the training program, it takes the dedication of the athletes."
Chapin's son, Jim Jr., was a three-time Olympian who credits the local coaches for his success. He noted that after succeeding with younger athletes here, St. Louisan Mike Crowe coached the 1984 and '88 U.S. Olympic teams and now coaches the Canadian long track Olympians.
"Compare the number of skaters from Missouri with states like Michigan or Wisconsin," the younger Chapin said. "Their numbers are much greater than ours, but when you have the best coaches, the kids stick with it and their talent comes out."
Still, the most promising area athletes must move to training centers to continue their careers. Long track skaters Pat Meek and Matt Plummer moved to Salt Lake City to train after graduating from St. Louis University High and Chaminade, respectively, as did short track skater Carly Wilson of Jefferson City.
Russ Owen, president of the Missouri Speedskating Association, said a key to St. Louis' long-term success was that athletes started to give back early, which gives the young skaters built-in role models.
"It's a self-feeding system," Owen said. "When we have Olympians or other skaters who move on, then come back, even if they help only occasionally, the kids really pay attention. When Pat or Matt comes back, the young kids get the idea, 'I could make it, too.'"
Perhaps the best current example of the circle of success is Katherine Reutter, the defending overall national short track champion. She made trips every weekend from her home in Champaign, Ill., to train in St. Louis because "The coaches here are so good. They had so much success and experience."
Though she's just 20 and in the prime of her career, she already has started to give back by coaching at clinics here.
"When I tell them they need to lower themselves and get closer to the ice, they listen," she said with a laugh, amazed at her own power of persuasion. "Anne tells me, 'The coaches say it all the time, but they listen when it comes from you.'"
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maricorgi
Full Member
I've gone to the dogs.
Posts: 132
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Post by maricorgi on Dec 17, 2008 11:38:34 GMT -5
see you all soon. flying in late Thursday. Out sunday early eve unless I find an earlier flight. Mari
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Post by A.O.Freak on Dec 17, 2008 12:07:22 GMT -5
does anyone know how the weather is gonna be?ive been looking online but everyday is different..  |
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Post by wildfire on Dec 17, 2008 17:16:27 GMT -5
All of you fortunate enough to attend, safe travels and memorable experiences for you I hope! =) It will be so much fun!!! Wish I could be there so bad...oh well. Take lots of pics and keep us updated when you're able!
AOFreak...have you checked weather.com?! That one is the most accurate weather forcast, IMO. I hope it's nice weather for ya! (ie-no snow!) Have fun!
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Post by gasp on Dec 17, 2008 18:43:14 GMT -5
AND FOR THE REST OF US:
Also, the 2009 U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championships will be webcast on our website starting Friday with the time-trials. To watch the event, go to "Competitions, Events & Results" and scroll down to Broadcast/Webcast. Have a wonderful week and a fun holiday season!
Thanks again to Peri at USS
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Post by number1fan on Dec 17, 2008 22:11:46 GMT -5
All of you fortunate enough to attend, safe travels and memorable experiences for you I hope! =) It will be so much fun!!! Wish I could be there so bad...oh well. Take lots of pics and keep us updated when you're able!  |
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Post by susie on Dec 17, 2008 22:17:58 GMT -5
NEED SOME HELP! There is someone attending this event who has a 5:45 flight out of St. Louis Int'l on Sunday who is looking for a ride to the airport from the venue. If you know of anyone who has a 5-ish flight and would like to help this person, or share a cab or shuttle, please PM me asap and I'll give you the details... Thanks! Lori, check your PM's. We've got you covered for the ride to the airport. The weather looks like it's going to be all over the place, but count on COLD (well, at least what passes for cold to this Marylander, LOL!) Watch your drive from the airport to the hotel on Thursday because they're expecting freezing rain, and roads might be slick. Thursday 33-36 degrees, rain or freezing rain Friday 30-47 degrees, cloudy Saturday 12-44 degrees, a few rain showers Sunday 12-23 degrees, a few snow showers, wind Monday 23-31 degrees, partly cloudy -- from weather.com |
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breidy
Junior Member
Posts: 96 
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Post by breidy on Dec 17, 2008 22:43:07 GMT -5
All you guys have a safe trip. Wish I could be there with y'all so cheer extra loud for me. I know y'all are going to have a fun filled and exciting weekend. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.
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Post by sk8on on Dec 17, 2008 22:45:05 GMT -5
Safe and fun travels to everyone attending Nationals.
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Post by mtnme on Dec 17, 2008 23:28:00 GMT -5
For those of you who are traveling to ST Louis, pack for very cold, icy, snowy weather. There is snow on the ground, and we met Jeff Simon in the elevator, and he said the rink is VERY cold, so pack layers and dress warmly.
As Gasp and Breidy found out the hard way last year, make sure you bring some boots with tread on them. It's really icy here, and as Susie said, they're expecting freezing rain tomorrow. No need for anyone to end up on their tail because of slippery shoes.
Safe travels everyone, see you all soon!
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Post by debbief on Dec 17, 2008 23:48:43 GMT -5
For those of you who are traveling to ST Louis, pack for very cold, icy, snowy weather. There is snow on the ground, and we met Jeff Simon in the elevator, and he said the rink is VERY cold, so pack layers and dress warmly. As Gasp and Breidy found out the hard way last year, make sure you bring some boots with tread on them. It's really icy here, and as Susie said, they're expecting freezing rain tomorrow. No need for anyone to end up on their tail because of slippery shoes. Safe travels everyone, see you all soon! Thanks for the info. I was just starting to pack and after reading your post, I decided to pack my stadium blanket too. I am also bringing a thermal mug...coffee and hot tea should warm things up. Tell Jeff thanks for the heads up on the condition of the rink. I still remember Cleveland and the very frosty conditions...that rink was COLD! |
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~Lori
