2009-2010 Short Track Season

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Source: www.ctvolympics.ca/short-track-skating/news/newsid=15780.html


I think they forgot to tell Francois where the camera was. LOL. :]

Short track season preview
CTVOlympics.ca
By Susan Auch and Louis Jean, CTVOlympics.ca
Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2009 3:07 PM ET

With the short track speed skating season due to begin Thursday, Olympic medallist Susan Auch and Olympic commentator Louis Jean share their perspectives on what to expect on the World Cup circuit this year.

What short track team members have the strongest chance to secure World Cup medals this season?

Susan Auch

-Womens 500m: Jessica Gregg and Kalyna Roberge

-Mens 500m: Charles Hamelin, François-Louis Tremblay, Olivier Jean

-Womens 1000m: Kalyna Roberge

-Mens 1000m: Charles Hamelin, Olivier Jean, François Hamelin

-Womens 1500m: Kalyna Roberge

-Men's 1500m: Charles Hamelin, Olivier Jean

Louis Jean

On the men's side, it will be interesting to see if Francois-Louis Tremblay has fully recovered from his injury. He has always been consistent and there are high expectations for him.

Olivier Jean has been mapping out his road to Vancouver for well over a year. I expect him to be on the podium in at least one World Cup competition.

Charles Hamelin is the coner stone of the team and one of the best short track speed skaters in the world. He will be a force to reckon with.

On the women's side, I strongly believe Kalyna Roberge has finally put it all together. Many have awaited her return to world class form. At long last, she also seems to believe it is possible.

Jessica Gregg has great potential. She demonstrated during this summer's team selection that she is ready to take it up a notch.

Who on the team could be a break out success and why?

Susan Auch

I first saw Marianne St-Gelais skate at the Canada Games in 2007 and then at the Junior Worlds this year.

She is still very young but she is a tough and fierce competitor - each necessary ingredients to win in short track. I think anyone on this team has the chance to win a medal. I would call them each possible break out successes.

Louis Jean

Success occurs when preparation meets opportunity. Olivier Jean has learned through his mistakes and misfortunes and is a better skater/person because of it. The desire and determination in his eyes lead me to believe he could be a break out success.

Kalyna Roberge has always been supremely talented. She has been dominant at times but took a step back last year. She now views big competitions as exciting rather than pressure-filled. She possesses all the tools to go far.

Which event is likely to be the most hotly contested on the World Cup tour?

Susan Auch

The relays are always the closest races with the Chinese, Koreans and Canadians fighting to the end to win the gold.

Louis Jean

The relay is always exciting and evenly contested but the 1500m will be a major challenge both for the men (USA-Korea) and the women (Korea-China)

What specific advantages and disadvantages do Canadian team members have over other competitors?

Susan Auch

While this particular Canadian team is relatively young, they have the advantage of being on a team with a culture of success at the Olympic Games.

From the time they began speed skating these skaters saw Canadians winning short track World and Olympic medals.

There is a certain expectation to win medals when you are on the Canadian team. This gives the skaters not more pressure but more confidence.

Louis Jean

Inexperience will be a factor that may play against the Canadians, however, the Federation has spared no expense to ensure everyone will peak at the right time.

Short track is a sport where anything can happen, but the athletes have been groomed to excell and have had great role models throughout the amazing and rich history.

Who will be Canada's biggest competition on the World Cup circuit this year?

Susan Auch

The Chinese and the Koreans as well as the US - if their best skater J.R. Celski can recover from his leg injury at their trials last weekend - will give Canada its biggest competition on the circuit this year.

Louis Jean

For the men, the Korean and Americans will pose the biggest challenge. China is always a major threat too.

For the women, Korea and China.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Kat is one of the 'finalists' for USOC's Female Athlete of the Month (for September), so - VOTE! ;D

twtpoll.com/r/581ql1

[gasp]

Not sure where to put this. But here's a link to vote for Katherine Reutter as Skate of the Month. Only short-tracker on the list.

twtpoll.com/r/581ql1

[gasp]

Kathereine's leading the pack.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Source: www.aroundtherings.com/articles/view.aspx?id=33669

24 Hour Fitness named US Speedskating Sponsor
11/6/2009

November 6, 2009—Salt Lake City, UT. US Speedskating is pleased to announce 24 Hour Fitness has been named the Official Health and Fitness Club, and Proud Partner of US Speedskating through the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

"US Speedskating and 24 Hour Fitness are a wonderful match,” says USS Executive Director Bob Crowley. “Many of our athletes have used the terrific training opportunities at 24 Hour Fitness and those they provide at the three Olympic Training Centers across the United States for many years. We are delighted to have them now as an official sponsor of the US Speedskating Team."

U.S. Short Track Speedskater J.R. Celski (Federal Way, WA) and U.S. Long Track Speedskater Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, WI) will help promote the partnership between the organizations and will make personal appearances at select 24 Hour Fitness Clubs in the Salt Lake City area in the lead up to the Games. Celski and his family have been members of 24 Hour Fitness for many years in Washington State and are excited to help promote the fitness center.

“I think it's great that 24 Hour Fitness and USS are partnered for this Olympic Season,” Celski says. “24 Hour Fitness gives Olympic athletes a chance to get into top condition for their events in the Olympic Games. As an athlete, I face very hard training regimens and need a place to train to get into peak performance, and 24 Hour Fitness allows me to do so. Also, USS is made up of some of the most fit athletes in the Olympics, and we can inspire those at 24 Hour Fitness to get into top shape no matter what their circumstances.”

As part of the partnership agreement, 24 Hour Fitness receives the rights to use USS marks and logos, have banner placement at American Cup and Championship events and provides USS athletes with discounted memberships at 24 Hour Fitness clubs around the country.

“24 Hour Fitness has been a long-time supporter of US Olympic National Governing Bodies and America’s Olympic Team since the Athens 2004 Olympic Games,” says Tony Wells, Chief Marketing Officer, 24 Hour Fitness. “We’re pleased to welcome US Speedskating to the 24 Hour Fitness family and know that their athletes will continue to inspire and empower our members to achieve their athletic and fitness goals.”

With more than 425 fitness clubs nationwide, 24 Hour Fitness is committed to healthy living and helping members reach personalized fitness goals. Its dedication to fitness coincides with the US Speedskating athletes’ desire to reach peak performance levels at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

[Elle]

Sept 17, 2009 2:24:16 GMT -5 bubblebuttsbabe said:

Source: www.ctvolympics.ca/short-track-skating/news/newsid=15780.html


I think they forgot to tell Francois where the camera was. LOL. :]

Short track season preview
CTVOlympics.ca
By Susan Auch and Louis Jean, CTVOlympics.ca
Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2009 3:07 PM ET

With the short track speed skating season due to begin Thursday, Olympic medallist Susan Auch and Olympic commentator Louis Jean share their perspectives on what to expect on the World Cup circuit this year.

What short track team members have the strongest chance to secure World Cup medals this season?

Susan Auch

-Womens 500m: Jessica Gregg and Kalyna Roberge

-Mens 500m: Charles Hamelin, François-Louis Tremblay, Olivier Jean

-Womens 1000m: Kalyna Roberge

-Mens 1000m: Charles Hamelin, Olivier Jean, François Hamelin

-Womens 1500m: Kalyna Roberge

-Men's 1500m: Charles Hamelin, Olivier Jean

Louis Jean

On the men's side, it will be interesting to see if Francois-Louis Tremblay has fully recovered from his injury. He has always been consistent and there are high expectations for him.

Olivier Jean has been mapping out his road to Vancouver for well over a year. I expect him to be on the podium in at least one World Cup competition.

Charles Hamelin is the coner stone of the team and one of the best short track speed skaters in the world. He will be a force to reckon with.

On the women's side, I strongly believe Kalyna Roberge has finally put it all together. Many have awaited her return to world class form. At long last, she also seems to believe it is possible.

Jessica Gregg has great potential. She demonstrated during this summer's team selection that she is ready to take it up a notch.

Who on the team could be a break out success and why?

Susan Auch

I first saw Marianne St-Gelais skate at the Canada Games in 2007 and then at the Junior Worlds this year.

She is still very young but she is a tough and fierce competitor - each necessary ingredients to win in short track. I think anyone on this team has the chance to win a medal. I would call them each possible break out successes.

Louis Jean

Success occurs when preparation meets opportunity. Olivier Jean has learned through his mistakes and misfortunes and is a better skater/person because of it. The desire and determination in his eyes lead me to believe he could be a break out success.

Kalyna Roberge has always been supremely talented. She has been dominant at times but took a step back last year. She now views big competitions as exciting rather than pressure-filled. She possesses all the tools to go far.

Which event is likely to be the most hotly contested on the World Cup tour?

Susan Auch

The relays are always the closest races with the Chinese, Koreans and Canadians fighting to the end to win the gold.

Louis Jean

The relay is always exciting and evenly contested but the 1500m will be a major challenge both for the men (USA-Korea) and the women (Korea-China)

What specific advantages and disadvantages do Canadian team members have over other competitors?

Susan Auch

While this particular Canadian team is relatively young, they have the advantage of being on a team with a culture of success at the Olympic Games.

From the time they began speed skating these skaters saw Canadians winning short track World and Olympic medals.

There is a certain expectation to win medals when you are on the Canadian team. This gives the skaters not more pressure but more confidence.

Louis Jean

Inexperience will be a factor that may play against the Canadians, however, the Federation has spared no expense to ensure everyone will peak at the right time.

Short track is a sport where anything can happen, but the athletes have been groomed to excell and have had great role models throughout the amazing and rich history.

Who will be Canada's biggest competition on the World Cup circuit this year?

Susan Auch

The Chinese and the Koreans as well as the US - if their best skater J.R. Celski can recover from his leg injury at their trials last weekend - will give Canada its biggest competition on the circuit this year.

Louis Jean

For the men, the Korean and Americans will pose the biggest challenge. China is always a major threat too.

For the women, Korea and China.

I gather Francois is the one looking away from the camera, standing to the far right of the screen. WOW,.....kid is good looking even by looking at the side of his face