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Post by sk8er on Oct 27, 2011 12:40:52 GMT -8
Koreans teamskating, what else is new? Still, I really appreciated Joey's blog that explains how these things happen. Ohno even went to train for a while in Korea and they used him to practice this! Just like the real races.....Celski has his work cut out for him. Technically he's up for this, does he have the fierce hunger to fight his way out of their boxes? The WC circuit is so much more interesting now with both the men and women putting in strong performances. Sounds like everyone had a great time  Greg & Mary Wong were there to represent NorCal SS in the stands so I look forward to some good commentary at our session Saturday night. |
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Oct 27, 2011 13:24:31 GMT -8
That was a really interesting race - Kwak was most definitely keeping his eye on J.R., and it was pretty obvious even to the uninitiated that he was deliberately blocking every attempt by J.R. to pass. It's a new ballgame now with the rules, and whether we like it or not, it appears that Kwak was skating within those rules. J.R. was gracious in defeat, so I will be as well - maybe we just need to keep practicing those wide (very wide) outside passes!  |
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Post by sk8er on Oct 27, 2011 15:29:51 GMT -8
HA!  Since it's legal now, or seems to be?, Team USA should work out their own teamskating strategy. We certainly have some good talent out there to cover the Koreans. I for one hope that Coach Jae is doing exactly that. Maybe they should call in Apolo as a (high priced) consultant!  (Though from your description it sounds like Kwak (glad his Mom didn't name him Donald...) was taking advantage of the new rules to block passing. But was he doing it to benefit his teammate?) Our guys need to sit down for some long hard strategy talks. |
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Post by dose on Oct 29, 2011 6:31:58 GMT -8
I'm glad to finally discussed the team strategies!  I saw many country's players have progressed in the World Cup 1! This is awesome! The races will be even more wonderful! Before the World Cup, do you think the Japan player and Britain player will get gold medals? I had to say that it is a good development for short track speed skating.  Certainly once World Cup competition can not conclude the enough conclusion, particularly the new season's first station. Maybe some countries’ players’ state is not good. Such as China team and South Korea team. South Korea women team's Status seems to be not good than men team. In fact, their men team also generally. If their statuses were good, three Korea players will not let Charles Hamelin get the gold medal! USA team, It brought some surprises for me. Katherine Reutter's two gold medal and the other player's excellent performance! Because I finally see my favorite Alyson Dudek!  Before can only see her in the relay competition, just let me forget her presence. But in the World Cup, Not only she entered the final A also to get the bronze medal!  The most exciting race is 500m final B. Regarding 500m final B, It is simply Chinese team's shame. Three Chinese players! All are World Champions! Even if not entered final A, unexpectedly three players all were beyond by a "Of buy soy sauce"!  If think it is final B, so they didn't attach the race, the feel will can a bit better! Jessica Smith, Also saw her efforts of fighting in race. Lana, now and before is similar, Previously occasionally can see her in final A, but now she got silver medal. The U.S. team had a few new players, well. But the deficiency is the team skating of everybody said! I saw that, Everyone all have the full spirit, Even if two players entered the final A, but they also were fighting single-handedly! In the women 1500m(1) and 1000m, two players entered the final A. In the1500m, Katherine was no longer lonely! I am waiting to look the another US player cooperate with her how resist other two South Korean players, but result was anything also has not seen! And SCOTT Emily moved too late, had a little collision and Lee Eun-Byul. In the 1000m final A, two Japan players, two USA players. But at least Japanese players had a little cooperate skating in the race. The irony is that China and South Korea players all did not enter the women 1000m final A! But not to say that because someone made not good therefore let her get profit. This is the result of effort! Short track speed skating, it is not a hot item. If in this sport there isn't any advantage, it is very difficult in this country. But I saw they still adhere and has not given up. Whatever outcome, results all will be recorded in history, But you can choose to make history! As cornerstones so long for others, also should have an own glory. Speaking of Japan, Progress is very big from the station World Cup to look. At this season, as a former a main force player SAKURAI Biba actually did not pass domestic competition! It is strange. ITO Ayuko is the women title. Go on to say the team strategies, Is this a different training content? Or is this the Oriental and Western thinking and personality differences? Even Canada team, I also saw not the team strategies. In the women 1500m(2), Lana has been skating at the back. When two Korea players sped up glide from outside track, She did not go to block route. That was a good opportunity. However Katherine's flaws become less and less! There is a small detail in the race, I was surprised to find, She no longer subject to Lee Eun-Byul's glide interference and also upset Lee Eun-Byul's glide rhythm. Also shows that she is more confident. JR's 1500m(2) final A, I'm impressed. Because I think he may become more clever in the race. Kwak Yoon-Gy is very clever! JR was blocked three times at the inside track line, He even did not try to go beyond from outside track! Finally, even Kwak Yoon-Gy felt should defend outside track to prevent beyond! And Kwak had two turnovers, JR should catch the opportunity. While watching some anxious! But now I have some different ideas. Face to two Korea players is very difficult. If the outside beyond fails, perhaps even the third place also will lost. JR rested for a season, now got third place has been very good! There are two Netherlands players and Korea players. Netherlanders also had some team skating. When the race started, a Netherlander at the first place, the other Netherlander immediately follow him. Do you found? NOH Jinkyu did not skate so fast than the past, Maybe his Status isn't best, maybe all skaters were very quick in the race. Or they began to tactical exercise! The Chinese team hadn't systematic training in the season. Knew their status were bad, but did not think that they were such decline! Only took one gold and one bronze! Ten events, eight events hadn't entered to final A! And in the women relay final A, Canada fell! The advantage event 500m had not actually one player entered the final A!!! Now The 500m competition is more intense! Specifically is men race. Many players have performed well. Russian team also got medal. Not only the women relay race entered the final A also to get the bronze medal! In short, Efforts will have good results! Do not work hard to wait to be eliminated! |
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Oct 29, 2011 19:27:26 GMT -8
Wonderful insights, Dose - I had no idea you were such a fan of Aly Dudek! She's a lovely young lady, and worthy of your admiration... Yes, I saw that China was disappointed with their results - but DON'T BE SAD! It's one competition, and they are coming back from a difficult summer. They will rise again! Your contributions to this board have made ME a fan of the Chinese team. Of course, I favor our USA skaters ;D, but we are learning more about your team, and it's fun to share in your joy when good things happen! Thank you for your positive comments for ALL of the skaters around the world - I feel the same way... more so with every competition. I'll quote (paraphrasing) my friend Yvonne, "As my fan-dom expands, it just gives me more ways to get my heart broken". That kind'a explains my Short-Track life...  During the podium ceremonies, the Chinese ladies were RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME - I could literally reach out and touch them, and they were actually looking right at me when I tried to take their picture... but I got a 'card full' message from my camera, and I wasn't able to take the picture . I think some of my friends got some good photos, and I'm hoping that they'll share... Will you be able to go to the Shanghai World Cup or the World Championships this season??? |
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Post by dose on Oct 29, 2011 21:40:11 GMT -8
'card full', that's really depressed! But do not mind. I saw two China team photo! I will post up.
I should not go to Shanghai. I want to go to watch the World Championships, but if the world championships had not changed city, I sure will go! But just like you in the World Cup 1, I'm living in different city. China also has the high-speed rail except the airplane, It's very convenient. At several days before I checked fare to Shanghai, just the fare isn't cheap, besides I will go alone. It's a little difficulty. But I still try to look for a better way.
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Post by sk8er on Oct 30, 2011 19:27:45 GMT -8
Just to share some comments by the Wongs, back to our club from WC I. She said many people, including them, couldn't understand how the new rules were working. Even the refs seemed clueless at times. Since there is now no cross tracking here is an example she gave of how that worked out. A Canadian woman had the inside track. A Chinese woman kept gradually crowding in closer and closer and until the Canadian couldn't get her right leg out to finish her stroke. She finally got angry and gave the Chinese woman a shove and was promptly DQ'ed , or penalized I guess we say now. Point taken, the Chinese woman's strategy worked. I think you will see a lot of crowding from the outside lane skaters against skaters in the inside lane. The more aggressive may win the war of nerves. Guess we'll see!
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Post by mtnme on Oct 30, 2011 21:28:15 GMT -8
yes, sk8er, the new rules makes it look like roller derby out there. Definitely saw a lot of leaning in and encroachment tactics. I wonder what the thinking was on this rule change since the inside skaters can easily be leaned right off the track with no recourse. It goes completely against body mechanics to keep skating to the left while leaning your upper body to the right to push back against an encroaching opponent who is already leaning into you in the direction that is required to 'skate fast and turn left'. The rule change almost is forcing skaters to make those powerful big dog moves of passing from the far outside as being on the inside makes you vulnerable to this new lean in strategy, which apparently the refs aren't penalizing. Personally, I like the Canadian's chutzbah, penalty not withstanding - someone deserved a good shove. Forget cross tracking, I think we need a 'you're invading my space' rule.  |
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Post by mtnme on Oct 30, 2011 22:44:13 GMT -8
I'm still in 'recovery' mode - trying to remember where I left off here at home with Real Life! Lots and lots of stuff is coming in from the World Cup, and we have AmCup2 and World Cup 2 coming up this weekend - holy fajita, it just doesn't stop! I'm trying to process my own photos, which IMO were disappointing, considering the access we had to the podium ceremonies - I'm hoping some of my friends' cameras were cooperating better than mine! During the relay ceremonies, the Chinese ladies were all looking right at me, when I got a 'card full' message on my camera...  Such was the story of my photographic weekend...  OK, ask and ye shall receive... I've been procrastinating on posting these photos as they really needed to be cleaned up - A LOT. (yes, the mind just reals at the thought that these were in even worse shape than they are now. Some of them are so blurry my eyes are thinking that I really need to up the magnification level of my reading glasses to something akin to the Hubble telescope) But for better or worse, here they are...  (yes, this is the best of the lot. It's downhill from here folks)    I can't say enough about how disappointed I am on how these photos of Jon Eley came out. He's been skating at the World Cups for awhile now, and if I'm not mistaken, this is his much deserved first Gold at a World Cup. I know I speak for most of the fans when I say we were cheering for him all the way! Congrats Jon! Sorry about the crappy photos in your moment of glory...   ...OK, this one of Jon and his team mates isn't so bad.       The Canadians are actually some very handsome fellows...not that you could tell by those blurry smudges where their faces are supposed to be... My wisecracks on FB today not withstanding, camping out in front of the stores before the crack of dawn on Black Friday would just about be worth it if it would get me a DSLR camera for a song that would take sports photos that aren't a complete embarrassment. (and I'll point out, they were all STANDING STILL when I shot these. I gave up on the photos of them skating a long time ago.) ...you can all stop rubbing your eyes now trying to get them to focus. We return you now to your regularly scheduled evening of visual clarity... |
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Post by dose on Oct 31, 2011 0:46:28 GMT -8
sk8er, you said the example of "A Canadian woman and A Chinese woman" is which race in the World Cup 1? I do not remember, I want to watch again.
And you said the "New rules" that was it issued at the 2010 year? I don't find the other new rules on the ISU Web. If you said is it, I have some my understanding.
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Post by dose on Oct 31, 2011 0:54:24 GMT -8
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Post by sk8er on Oct 31, 2011 9:26:08 GMT -8
I'm sorry dose. I do not know the race Mary referred to. The conversation was about the confusion, by long time skaters in stands about the new rules for passing. In the past the skater in the lead had the "right of way" and anyone passing had to do so cleanly. Now it is the skater whose shoulder is ahead going into the turn that determines who is leading. And since there is no longer crosstracking it seems that the strategy can be to "crowd" the inside skater in a way that would not have been possible under the old crosstracking rule. My friend and her husband have been speedskating for nearly 30 years, and founded our speedskating club....so I give a lot of credance to their comments.
On the other hand this may favor "Big Red" who has size, strength, skill and chutzpa herself!
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Oct 31, 2011 11:54:29 GMT -8
@dose - thanks for the photo links! And you caught the very moment I was referring to, when the Chinese Ladies all put their hands over Marianne St-Gelais' face - haha! mtnme - don't sell yourself short... you got some very good photos! Your pics of the Chinese lades and the GBR men are especially nice! Still looking for a good one of Jon Eley's gold medal - mine were all blurry as well!
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Greg & Mary Wong were there to represent NorCal SS in the stands so I look forward to some good commentary at our session Saturday night. 
