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Post by daisymomma on Jan 9, 2012 11:37:36 GMT -8
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Post by sk8er on Jan 9, 2012 17:15:48 GMT -8
Thanks everyone for the information. Too bad about Katherine, Jeff and J.R. But they are all committed talented skaters. I fully expect to see them back skating well. It's also good to see new talent coming up the pipeline. Team USA will have a lot of depth and experience overall.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 9, 2012 20:32:56 GMT -8
Thanks for posting this, Daisymomma! I've seen several articles addressing Katherine's surgery, but I think that this one may be the best - and when I get some time, I'm gonna post it on her thread! I just got in after a 700-mile solo drive from SLC, and I'm beat - but I'll catch up with y'all soon. Maybe after a 'power nap', but maybe tomorrow... |
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Post by daisymomma on Jan 10, 2012 9:44:58 GMT -8
I can't say what it was like to actually be in the rink but it was cool watching the live feed for me and getting to interact with different people.Olivier Jean was chatting with us what a fun guy he kept talking in french and leaving us hanging cause we didn't understand him.Joe Rohraff and Mike Kooreman were also chatting with us so I got an education in short track from a coaches perspective.All in all a fun weekend.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 10, 2012 15:47:22 GMT -8
We had a great time in SLC - both at the Oval, and away from it! On Sunday night, we drove to Deer Valley and had dinner at Stein Eriksen lodge - there was a full moon that made it where we could still see the ski slopes after dark, and in various places along the hillsides, the trees were wrapped in white lights. It was SO beautiful! www.steinlodge.com/lodge/galleryOn Saturday night, some of my friends car-jacked me and made me drive them to Sally's Beauty Supply. After dinner they did a 'hair color intervention', haha! I like it - but now I need a new cut to go with it!  As for the meet itself, both Lana Gehring and Simon Cho were extremely strong, and are skating with great confidence - Lana and Simon, Aly Dudek, Emily Scott, John-Henry Krueger, Travis Jayner and Jordan Malone made it into EVERY A Final. Sarah Chen, Kyle Uyehara and Robert Lawrence were unable to compete further after their injuries. They were 'walking wounded' - Kyle and Sarah did go to the starting line in subsequent races, but did not race. I'm not sure what the strategy is for that - to preserve points?  I know that when J.R. did it in the 9LTT, it was to remain eligible for a discretionary pick. The way that Sarah, Kyle and J.R. went to the line but did not race is new. In previous years, you'd see injured skaters go to the line and do an intentional double false start - but now, they just let the other skaters go at the gun, then immediately cruise to center ice with the officials until the race is over. I like this, because it doesn't waste time with the DFS's - and it doesn't mess with the timing of the other skaters! We did see Jeff Simon at the rink - he was happy, and he looked good. He's still having back problems, and looks forward to getting back on the ice soon. I'm glad everybody had fun on Tony's chat. He says he'll be at Jr. US Championships later this month, so hopefully we can look forward to more of his coverage! One other interesting note: Because there were only 13 ladies available for the relay, three of the Group 2 men - Soo An Yoo, Joshua Cummings and Brett Perry - made up the 4th member on the ladies' teams! On the men's side, because Kyle Uyehara and Robert Lawrence couldn't compete, Claude Gilbert and Casey Mullarkey filled in. The Blue Team won the relay for both the men and the ladies - does anybody remember who was on those teams? |
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Post by Peg on Jan 10, 2012 19:27:18 GMT -8
The Blue Team won the relay for both the men and the ladies - does anybody remember who was on those teams? IIRC, the winning men's team consisted of Simon Cho, Jordan Malone, Barry Winslow, and Cole Krueger. But I thought they were the red team, so you may not want to trust my memory. Regardless, the vets and newbies worked together seamlessly to put on a great show  |
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Post by susie on Jan 11, 2012 5:58:09 GMT -8
Thanks for your report, Lori! I miss being out there. I might consider attending Jr. US Champs, but I'm not sure if my injured limb will be far enough along at the time to cope with risers.
I've always wondered, what is the purpose of doing a relay at the US Champs since it doesn't contribute any points? I enjoy watching it, but I do wonder.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 11, 2012 19:57:51 GMT -8
@peg - oh, yeah... you're right! It WAS the red team... and now that you mention it, I think it was the Yellow team that won for the Ladies. So, maybe USS' listings for the relay were just lineups rather than results. 'Anybody remember who was on the winning team for the Ladies? I believe it was Katherine, Brett Perry, and (?) susie - I dunno why they do the relays. I suppose that some of the skaters rarely get relay practice at a high level, so might that be it? They seem to enjoy it, though, and it's always a fun time for the spectators! |
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