Skaters, Ice Stuff, Results, and Skate Tips

Skaters: Andrew Hegarty's blog had a recent post where he examines being competitive versus being successful. It's in interesting distinciton.


Andrew Hegarty sitting in 3rd place with Steve Robillard in the lead at the 2006 RSC Canadian Championships
The Inline Planet's Robert Burnson recently proposed to created Annual Skate Awards named 'Eddy Awards'. I like that idea and I like the name; Eddy Matzger is a great ambassador for inline skating. In fact, he is fighting the Good Fight- he is headed off to court for using his inline skates in a national park which has rules against inline skating. You can write a Letter to Eddy Matzger for his trial which is taking place on December 6th.

Ice Stuff: I linked to this site (SBS 6: Essent Cup) which broadcasts long track ice speed skating marathons. Here's Da Nedarlandese Marathon Schaatssite which compliments SBS 6: Essent Cup with photos and results.

Just a quick FYI- On the ISU World Cup Result website, you can dig up the names of the likes of Alexis Contin (inline world champion), Pascal Briand (inline world champion), and Jessica Smith (inline world champion).


France's Pascal Briand racing in the ISU Long Track World Cup
In a recent post on Hyper's Message Board about inline to ice transitions, Jim White has agued that Intense Training, Not Olympic Gold is what attracts skaters to ice. Having experience both inline and ice, I have to agree- In my experience, scientifically based and sound training opportunies with dedicated facilities and coaches are deliver personalized programs very effectively on ice. At the same time, as much as training for ice is difficult, I find it equally if not more difficult to excel in inline speed skating. Plus I think the racing dynamics are better and more exciting in inline races.

Results: Here are the results for the Publix Family Fitness Weekend from the Fort Lauderdale, Cypress Gardens, and St Augustine races. Click here for a report on the Rattlesnake Invitational on Inline Planet's Forum. Texas Roundup report. Waco results.

Skate Tips: The Inline Planet has been publishing weekly skate tips with topics ranging from staying in shape during the off-season to rocking the cones.