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| What's
happening around the globe and @ home in Roller
Sports..???? |
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| V.07: More World News ....Go here
for more news in our back log: V.06 includes, German Cup, Vic
Champs wrap, Athlete Kristen Slade, Inline Breakthrough, W.A girls
battle for top spot, S.A Champs, Movies, Face the music, The boy is
back.. and lots more.. |
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| Interview with
the ice-boy... |
 The hottest
export from Belgium... Kevin van der Perren, chats with us
about his new found love on inline skates and of course about his
great success story in the grand world of ice. Most recently
breaking in to the top 10 at senior worlds and twelfth at the 2002
Olympic Games in Nagano. Kevin has been doing some inline skating to
enhance his ice skills and it is certainly paying off, but will we
be seeing the boy in Wuppertal at the Inline Championships?? To find
out, check out his interview... [here] |
| 2004 Worlds -
Fresno USA |
 LINCOLN, Neb. –
Fresno, California. was recently selected as the site of the 2004
Roller Figure Skating World Championships. The Fresno Convention
Centre will host the championships from Nov. 16-28, 2004. The event will be the first
ever amateur athletic championship held in Fresno.
Jim
Pollard, president of the International Committee for Artistic
Roller Skating, estimated 600 to 800 skaters from more than 20
countries would participate in Fresno in 2004. He said the event drew an
average of 5,000 spectators per night in Italy last year and drew
10,000 on the final night of competition when it was held in France.
To read this article in full.. [here] |
| Respect.... & the new 'Wall of
Fame'.. |
 Over the years many
outstanding Athletes in Artistic Roller Sports have become World
Champions in their respective discipline and yet many, to this day,
failed to receive the acknowledgement they deserve. That is why I
have decided to create my own, 'Wall Of Fame' and pay
respect to those Athletes that have inspired me & others and
contributed to the sport, whilst at the same excelled in their field
and become the sports ultimate - World Champion. Celebrate
with me as we look back over the years and applaud the following
athletes and welcome them to my Wall Of
Fame. [image: Scott Cohen - inductee]
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| History has been made... D'Alisera is the
first!! |
 June
02, 2002 & Luca D'Alisera will be remember forever in
skating history. At the recent Regional championships, Luca
performed the FIRST clean triple axel in competition. New of
this came about only today when I received the news from proud
trainer, Gabriele Quirini, noting it was a very special
moment for them both.. Congratulations..
[pictured left: Proud coach - Gabriele Quirini
& the amazing Luca D'Alisera] |
| German Cup Day
Final Results in FULL:
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| The full results have been made available in full
thanks to the FIHP site. And by looking at the total number of
competitors, it just goes to show how popular the championship was!
To view all the results in full, click here.. [Results: Courtesy of
FIHP] |
| News in duplicate...... |
 No, you are not
seeing double! But yes, lately all the news from here is being relayed to the
Official FIRS site, which I don't have a
problem
with! It's just
that, I like going to that site to get information and when I arrive
and its something I have just put up on my site, I think.. hang on!
But if you do want to visit another site for
Roller Sports with loads of information and you haven't been to the
FIRS site, visit here: Watch for news soon on the Italian
Championships and also the Europeans.. Cant wait! Well worth the
visit and a good promotional tool for the sport! |
| The first TRIPLE AXEL in Roller
Sports.. |
| It has been confirmed.. Luca
D'Alisera has perfected the Triple Axel, the first to be
seen perfectly completed in Artistic Roller Sports. This has to be
the biggest milestone in our sports history. Recently at the German
Cup, D'Alisera's coach, Internationally reknowned, Gabriele
Quirini, showed the Australian girls a video of Luca performing
the jump. One comment was, "it looked just like a single, he
did it so easy".. And yes, the jump will be included in his
program at the 2002 World Championships. Certainly worth making the
trip to Germany just to see that! Congratulations Luca.. Now, is it
true that fellow Italian and current World Champion, Luca Lallai is also doing one? |
| Nationals 2002 Draft Program.. |
 I can't guarantee this program will be available for long, but
yes, a draft of the 2002 Australian Artistic Roller Sports
Championships is here to be downloaded. Please note that it does
NOT include the Figure requirements. It is a microsoft word
document, zipped. You will need WINZIP to unzip it and to view (60k). To download,
just click on the link, it may automatically open or it may prompt
you to save.. In looking at the program, I know its a hard job to
do, but on the Monday evening session there is only one event,
Junior Int. Solo Dance. It takes up the whole night!! . [..download here] |
| German Cup Day
7 -
Close: |
| The German Cup is now over. Today our girls are
enjoying the day in the Sherwood Forest and will be returning to
Australia on Tuesday. Kristen and Lauren both skated
their long programs last night. Lauren was first up and did a
great routine with a slight hiccup on her inverted camel. Lauren
skated a fine program and there was a move up in the rankings and
finished in 10th place. Kristen also skated a much
better long than short, which was great to hear, and also moved
positions up to 11th, again proving that the standard at this
competition was extremely high. Spain sent its top skaters
whilst Italy sent in the reserves. Australia must now
seriously consider the inclusion of this competition in their yearly
calendar for skaters attempting to make an impact on the world
scene. Not only is it great exposure, but its fantastic experience,
never in Australia or Oceania region will they compete
against this calibre of skaters. The Oceania event needs to
be re-evaluated as to the actual benefit of our higher ranked
athletes and as to whether or not they warrant attending such a meet
when they could be spending the money on competing against 15
countries in Europe, almost the equivalent of a World
Championships. Oceania would be better served for skaters
looking at competing in International in the future years or
currently placing outside of the top group. The event could be more
of a development competition for the up and coming and well worth
the effort. Currently, Australia is facing almost critical
times, as we require elite levels & top rankings at world level
to enable funds to be secured by the Government for support in the
future and with the International rankings at a stand still, we need
to get moving and headed in the right direction.. [pictured below: AUS Team: Lauren Backrack, Samantha
Russell, Kristen Slade, Rachel Tonkin and Karen
Clough] |
| Lauren
Backrack: 10th Jun Lad FS |
Samantha
Russell: 7th Junior Lad Figs |
Kristen
Slade:
13 Sen Lad Figs,
11
Sen Lad FS,
8th Combined F/FS |
Rachel
Tonkin: 9th Jun Lad Figs |
Karen
Clough: 11th Sen Lad Fgs |
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| Tiff in Sweden gets the royal treatment from
KYLIE... |
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Tiffany Payne, former Victorian - now living in
Perth, has been an exchange student in Sweden for the past
12months and having a great old time.. I just finished
speaking to her and she told me that she went to see the
KYLIE FEVER concert last night in Hovet
Stockholm, and that is was FANTASTIC.. More than
just fantastic, Tiffany and her friend Kristy went along to
the gig sporting huge Australian Flags, not forgetting to
mention they were up front.. and mid way through the gig,
KYLIE stops and says to them over the mic, "nice flags you
have there girls.. and your are so far from home, but you are
in a nice place!!"... Wow, what a way to spend your night and
having Kylie point you out of a crowd even
better!.. |
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| German Cup Day
6
update: 1a |
| 9.9 for Romano.. The ladies short program certainly
packed some punches. Italy's, Tanja Romano, took the lead
after her short program consisting of a perfectly clean triple
lutz, double axel and a triple toewally -loop- triple mape comb.
Romano almost aced the score board receiving as high as 9.9 This
came about even when Romano fell to the floor on her final
travelling camel, missing the A spin completely! Followed closely
was fellow team mate, Alice Baldan, and Spanish jump
sensation, Laura Sanchez. Laura Bourguignon of France
performing nice triple jumps also placed amongst the top 5 in fourth
position. In the men's short, Pietro Mazzetti ITA is
leading and completed a triple lutz - loop - double loop
combination. Australia's Lauren Backrack, and Junior
World Top 7 in 2001, also had a bad run of luck and is sitting in
13th place. The Australian girls, Lauren and Kristen
have now put the shorts behind them and will contest their long
programs in a matter of hours. News is that the young male &
female skaters in Cadet and Youth were all completing
great double axel jumps and triples. The standard is certainly
improving and Europe proving to be the major force in all aspects of
the sport.. more news soon! [pictured
below: Tanja Romano ITA, Laura Sanchez ESP, Pietro Mazzetti ITA and
Alice Baldan ITA] |
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| German Cup Day
6 update:
|
 Top Australian,
Kristen Slade, has unfortunately had a run of bad luck in the
short program in Germany. Naturally unhappy with her performance,
Kristen, no doubt will fight back in the long and put the short
behind her. She has a great long program and if skated well it will
certainly assist in pushing final position in the standings up and
give her a good combined placing. Kristen recently suffered a
seizure and has only just recovered. Though in good health, she has
had a bad run this year and we can only hope that she gets back to
100% perfect health.. More news soon! [pictured
above: Kristen Slade AUS] |
| German Cup Day
5 update: 1a
|
| The figure events proved tough
going for our girls. Strong competitors from Europe were unbeatable
in all divisions, thus proving the importance of our skaters
attending competitions like the German Cup and I hope the Federation
will continue the trend in future years. Samantha Russell AUS
was 7th in Junior Ladies, our best showing for the
competition this year so far. Rachel Tonkin AUS, at her first
International meet for figures, after just winning the Oceania
Championships, learnt its a whole different ball game at this level
and was placed 9th. Her experience from competing there will
certainly give her the confidence & experience needed to pursue
and international career.. Great effort by both girls and its
fantastic that they actually got to participate. Other events are
yet to be competed. More news soon! [pictured
left: Samantha Russell AUS] |
| German Cup Day
5 update:
|
| The results are starting to
come in now in droops and drabs.. I can confirm that Karen
Clough and Kristen Slade have both completed their figure
event, respectively 11th and 14th. Kristen scored between 7.2
- 7.9 and had a costly error on the double 3 she wasn't too happy
about!! The event was won by Constance Hossfeld GER, 2. Tanja Romano
ITA, & Natalie Heinz ESP 3rd. In the men's event,
Frank
Albiez GER 1, David Meuller GER 2 & Piettro
Mazzetti ITA 3. Rachel Tonkin from Australia
has drawn Group 1 and will have competed by Friday even Australian
time. More news soon! [pictured left: Karen
Clough AUS] |
| German Cup Day
4
update: 1b |
| As the teams roll arrive in droves and training
commences, we are starting to get a better feel for the event. All
competing countries have arrived. Today Australia shared with
the Swiss team and there were 16 skaters on the floor doing
freestyle at once. It was hell apparently! Junior ladies Figures
have been drawn but I cant confirm the group.. Reports indicate that
there are girls from Spain doing clean double axels, nice triple
lutz and flip attempts from girls in Youth from Italy and
nice triples and combos from the skaters in the Senior event for
Ladies. Piettro Mazzetti from Italy has been attempting
triple loop combination off a lutz also. Frank Albiez,
Germany, has also been putting on a fine show in training...
more news soon! [pictured below: Frank Albiez,
GER, Alice Baldan - Sara Locanro, Fabio Antonelli & coaches
and Davide Profita ITA] |
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| German Cup Day
4 update:
1a |
| The German Cup is certainly hauling in some great
skaters from around Europe. The competition for our skaters will be
tough. The Italian Team is very strong and there are great
skaters from other countries like, Spain, Slovenia,
Belgium and not forgetting Germany.. Apparently the
standard is very high, one young female in Cadet girls completes a
nice, double axel and triple salchow in combination!! The Senior
ladies and men are strong.. more news
soon! [pictured below: Tanja Romano, Andrea Aracua, and Piettro
Mazzetti of Italy] |
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| German Cup Day
3
update: |
| Italy made there
presence felt today when they arrived in Freiburg and attended the
Sports Hall. More to the Australian girls delight, they are also
staying at the same hotel! I spoke with Kristen on the phone
this evening and David Aracau walked past and popped on the
phone for a chat! He told me his computer was broken and I said,
"yes, like all Italian computers!!", because all seem to be so slow
with email! Training once again went well. The Senior girls
drew Group 2 Right foot for figures. The free draw has not
yet been done. It seems, air brushed tattoos are all the rage for
the week, Kristen got one on her arm and Lauren went
and got one on her back, quite a big one! The Italians were
at the rink today watching our girls train, will they ever learn
though, that Kristen speaks fluent Italian! Ladies figure
competition will be tomorrow night and Official training commenced
today. I hear Samantha, Cait and Karen are all having a great time..
more news soon! [pictured left: Lauren Backrack
- Ladies F/S] |
| German Cup Day
2
update: |
| The girls all seem to
be settling in well to Freiburg's lifestyle. Kristen is
no stranger to Freiburg, we went to the German Cup back in
1995 and certainly had our share of adventures around the city - all
captured on film!! Karen Clough & Kristen were enjoying a
casual Latté down the street today after sharing a training session
with the Slovenian Team. The girls don't seem to be agreeing
terribly with the 9.30pm curfew however! Figure training went well
today also and all girls happy, Lauren Backrack (Team FS
skater) was more than happy to offer her support and assistance
throughout! More training tomorrow and a little more of Freiburg to
see no doubt. Another session also with Slovenia. The Cup is
certainly shaping up to be a great event.. more
news soon! [pictured left: Rachel Tonkin - Ladies
Figures] |
| Updating the Clause... |
Following my successful hearing with the Arbitration for
Sport and Skate Australia in relation to the ban of 2yrs
I was facing, Skate Australia has been advised to amend there doping
Policy. In particular, Clause 11. The Clause 11 will now
read:
| 11.1 |
A person may retire
from competition by notifying Skate Australia Inc. in
writing. |
| 11.2 |
The person’s
retirement date will be the date Roller Sports Australia Inc.
receives the notice. |
| 11.3 |
A person will
be deemed to have retired if they do not become a competitive
member of Skate Australia Inc by 30th June in the
competitive year.
|
The fully amended section 11
can be found at the new Skate Australia website [here] |
| German Cup Day 1
update: |
 The Australian team has arrived
safely in Freiburg, Germany. The only hitch being that Kristen
Slade had only just purchased a new carry bag and it was torn
during travel! No compensation offered either! Caitlyn
Botica, who has withdrawn, has travelled with the team and will
be there to support now and have a nice break, it's still hard to
believe that she wont be competing b/c of her ankle injury. Im going
to be in touch every day with Kristen Slade and keeping you
updated on the Cup's progress.. competition starts Friday and after
speaking with Belgium coach today, Marcus Dean, he informs me
the Belgium Team will leave for Germany on Wednesday morning.
The team of sixteen Italians will no doubt arrive Thursday at the
latest.. more news soon! [pictured left: Kristen Slade - Ladies
Combined] |
More World News ....Go here for more news in v.06, v.05, v.04, v.03 & v.02
[back]
Version 06 includes, Vic Champs, S.A
& W.A Champs, The boy is back and more.. | |
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