Finally--some short track!

[Lindsey]

Thanks, Bella! I just copied and pasted from OZ...and never thought to fix it when claire posted.

[tynormem]

bellamusici said:

claire522 said:

i'll assume that WC 5 and 6 is a typo error and its supposed to be 2008? i'll plan ahead to see him race at Quebec! this is really exciting.

Good catch.

I fixed it for ya Linds.

And Tyn, I was also planning a trip to NY around Thanksgiving and thinking about pushing it up a bit to go see Apolo. I don't know how they determine who skates in which world cup (must research) but it's my goal to see him skate live this season - hopefully sitting next to a contingent of GotApolo ladies and cheering him on to victory!

I wonder if my husband and kids will appreciate being forced to sit with a conringent of GotApolo ladies, while we cheer and go nuts for Apolo?

[lisam]

Just thought I'd bump this thread because this is coming up soon: September 29-30, 2007 – American Cup I & World Cup #1, 2, 3, 4 Qualifier- Midland, MI. Is anyone going to this or any other events? I've been thinking about going to SLC on Feb. 8-10, not sure if this is going to happen for me, just been thinking about it. It would be so fun if we could get a group to go to cheer him on, there is another one in SLC in Dec but its so close to Christmas that I wouldn't be able to go. So how do we know if Apolo will be at the one on Feb. 8-10? I don't know how these events work, does he have to qualify or something to skate? Its the World Cup #6 so does anyone know anything about how this all works?

[angpickles4]

lisam said:

Just thought I'd bump this thread because this is coming up soon: September 29-30, 2007 – American Cup I & World Cup #1, 2, 3, 4 Qualifier- Midland, MI. Is anyone going to this or any other events? I've been thinking about going to SLC on Feb. 8-10, not sure if this is going to happen for me, just been thinking about it. It would be so fun if we could get a group to go to cheer him on, there is another one in SLC in Dec but its so close to Christmas that I wouldn't be able to go. So how do we know if Apolo will be at the one on Feb. 8-10? I don't know how these events work, does he have to qualify or something to skate? Its the World Cup #6 so does anyone know anything about how this all works?

.

I am planning on attending the one in September if there ends up being some kind of confirmation that Apolo will be there. Has anyone heard anything about the possibility of him competing there?

[mrsrobinson]

Here's the sign-up sheet for Midland. He's not signed up yet, but I'm thinking you could keep checking back and keep an eye on the sheet to see if he does. Midland is labeled a qualifier race, and I've found myself wondering if Apolo has to qualify (I assume he's the reigning champion and am wondering if that would give him a pass from having to qualify). Anybody know?

www.midlandspeedskatingclub.com/MSSCevents/2007DowAmericanCupIRegisteredSkaters.html

[Lindsey]

Doesn't Apolo have to skate here in order to qualify for the World Cup tours (why it says it's a qualifier)? I'm not a short track expert--someone come and help us out. I remember the original article said that almost everyone who's anyone in short track will be there. Plus, that list hasn't been updated in a few weeks. I suspected the reason why it's been so quiet in Apolo news is because he's training hard for this event. I guess my main question is, why would he NOT skate at this event?

[lisam]

I agree, I don't see why he wouldn't skate in the Sept. event. There are so many events within the 7 months that how do we know which ones he will skate in? Or does he have to skate in all of them to make it to the Olympics? Is there anyone who belongs to OZ that could find out, or will it be posted on his official site? So many questions

Ang, how close are you to Midland? Maybe you could call the place when you buy tix and see if they have any info. IDK, just an idea.

[elsa]

On page 27 of the latest US Speedskating newsletter (July), it says this:

"There will be a discussion in September at the Board of Directors regarding the commitment to skate [World Cups] 1 & 2 AND 3 & 4 as some skater's annual schedule may be better suited to skate 1 & 2 OR 3 & 4."

I *think* that means that maybe some particular skater, i.e. Apolo Anton Ohno, could skip World Cups 1 & 2 and still qualify to be on the "team" that they earlier said would require skating in World Cups 1 through 4.

Not sure though - but that's what it sounds like - and apparently Apolo was quoted as saying he'd first compete in November. Here's the link to the newsletter where they discuss all the requirements for the 07-08 short track season:

www.usspeedskating.org/US%20Speedskating%20-%20Newsletter%20July%2007.pdf

[Lindsey]

Thanks, elsa! This is all very fascinating... So I guess we'll know in September (hard to believe that it's only a month away!) But that'll make it very interesting for those who are wanting (perhaps Apolo?) to skip the first two World Cups. So what if they decide not to allow them to skip it? They'd better not be counting on it, or else they're going to have to step it into high gear once the decision is made!

[lisam]

Thanks elsa for the info, very interesting stuff. Like Lindsey said I guess we will just have to wait till Sept. I wish this was easier for us fans to know when and where he will race. And I hope they air it on tv!

[angpickles4]

lisam said:

I agree, I don't see why he wouldn't skate in the Sept. event. There are so many events within the 7 months that how do we know which ones he will skate in? Or does he have to skate in all of them to make it to the Olympics? Is there anyone who belongs to OZ that could find out, or will it be posted on his official site? So many questions

Ang, how close are you to Midland? Maybe you could call the place when you buy tix and see if they have any info. IDK, just an idea.

I'm about 8 hours from Midland, and I'd like to say that I'd go either way, but the truth is I'd be disappointed if I went that far and no Apolo.

[laura6]

angpickles4 said:

lisam said:

I agree, I don't see why he wouldn't skate in the Sept. event. There are so many events within the 7 months that how do we know which ones he will skate in? Or does he have to skate in all of them to make it to the Olympics? Is there anyone who belongs to OZ that could find out, or will it be posted on his official site? So many questions

Ang, how close are you to Midland? Maybe you could call the place when you buy tix and see if they have any info. IDK, just an idea.

I'm about 8 hours from Midland, and I'd like to say that I'd go either way, but the truth is I'd be disappointed if I went that far and no Apolo.

I am about 2 hours from midland..but I would only go if he were going to be there..

I am also very intersted in exactly how it works..like how many competitions you have to be in to qualify..and such..

Susie..where are you?? LOL you are our resident expert on all things short track!! LOL

[linmiste]

HI, All! This is my first post. Yay!

I seem to remember reading somewhere -- don't know if it was at Ohnozone or US Speedskating site -- that they have to compete in 4 of the 6 world cups in order to qualify for World Championships. One year Apolo missed a world cup and he and Yuki and Allison flew to Italy without the team so they could get in that extra meet. But, perhaps the rules are changing this year.

[Elle]

linmiste said:

HI, All! This is my first post. Yay!

I seem to remember reading somewhere -- don't know if it was at Ohnozone or US Speedskating site -- that they have to compete in 4 of the 6 world cups in order to qualify for World Championships. One year Apolo missed a world cup and he and Yuki and Allison flew to Italy without the team so they could get in that extra meet. But, perhaps the rules are changing this year.

hey little darling, welcome to the site and thanks for the info

[hanson]

Apolo is so dedicated to his sport that he has skated while
being extremely sick. I believe he describes the circumstances
in his book.

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I believe that up to the
2006 Olympics, Apolo was at every event. Though he did miss
what was scheduled right after the '02 and '06 Olympics due
to outside comminments.

Though I do not know what is in Apolo's mind set, I feel that he
would want to get in all of the ice time that he could whether it
be in the States or abroad. He is so geared to his sport
that even sick he competed and did not let his fans down.