Sebastian participated in this event!
I remember hearing about this back when it originally happened, but it showed up in a recent Google Alert, and it's still newsworthy - here's hoping that Mexico's 'ice' dreams have progressed as they had hoped!
The following is from (I believe) an inline blog (it's a bit easier to follow by just going directly to the link, which contains pics and some interesting secondary links):
www.inlineplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1548&p=8649--------------------------------------------
Speedskating on Ice in Mexico City -this weekend!by skatenow on Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:20 pm
And, they say the ice there is only good for margaritas!! Ice Speedskating in Mexico City! This weekend we will witness a very historic moment in ice speedskating for Mexico. From the heart of Mexico City's, famed Zocalo (center plaza) a few speedskaters will take to the ice, skating where no speedskater has ever skated before. They will do exhibition short track speed skating on Saturday and Sunday evenings this weekend (Dec 1 & 2). A second show was scheduled due to the growing popularity of the event.
Inline speedskating is very large and highly organized in Mexico, while ice speedskating is non-existent. This weekend we hope changes that forever, and we see a new era in Mexico speedskating.
The news came on short notice this past week, but Mexican Speedskating Team skaters,
Eric Kraan and
Arnim Ruelas, were ready to pack their bags at a moments notice and head south to experience the largest ever man made ice rink. The rink will open this weekend in Mexico City, and is 3000 sq meters, about the size of 3 hockey rinks, with a 1200 person capacity.... that could get quite cozy.
Sebastian Cano and
Chris Creveling, both World Cup inline skaters from the US, and members of the WHIP (inline to ice transition) program headed by Derek Parra here in Salt Lake City, will accompany the 2 Mexican skaters. Also, accompanying Eric & Arnim will be speedskater and sprinter extraordinare'
Andrew Love, of Salt Lake city, 4 x champion of United States & North American masters LT racing. Andrew's blog has posts and images - he will update from Mexico as he can. [Update]
Jessica Smith, World Cup inline skater from the USA, and member of the US Speedskating Team will also join in the speedskating event. (it's nice to see women represented in the sport)
For Mexico, and for us personally, as Eric single-handedly founded the Mexican Speedskating Team in 2002, this has been a long time coming. We are so excited about the prospects of the future of Mexico Speedskating, particularly now that we are given opportunity to present speedskating to literally thousands of people over the next few days.
TV: We are not certain which local media tv station will televise the event, but it will be broadcast all over Mexico! Will update this as more info become available, so you too can witness this historic event!
Thanks everyone for your support of Mexico Ice Speedskating!
========================================
Hello friends,
This email is in both English and Spanish so all our friends can understand what is happening in Mexico City.
December 1st will be the GRAND OPENING of a giant ice rink at the heart of Mexico city. Sebastian Cano, Chris Creveling, both skaters from the USA, will accompany Arnim Ruelas and myself Eric Kraan (Mexico Team Speedskaters), to Mexico City for an exhibition of speedskating at the historic plaza "Zocalo" in downtown Mexico City. As many of you know, it has always been my dream to get Mexico on skates, and in many ways I have accomplished this dream to a small scale. I have responded through the years to many Mexicans interested in getting started but since I am in Salt Lake City and they are most of the time in the interior of Mexico the dreams fade away. Lack of money, visas and lots of expenses stand in the way. This past few weeks we have been contacted by the Government of Mexico City and the Promoter of this event
www.factorbike.com to be part of the opening ceremony where along figure skating, barrel jumping, ice hockey, and yes... SPEEDSKATING will show Mexicans how they can enjoy of the ice sheet that they will have at their disposal FREE OF CHARGE for one month.
It is my hope and dream that a young Mexican kid will find during this weekend speedskating as fascinating as I did when I was a young kid and will know that his or her dreams are not out of reach.
Thank you,
Gracias,
Eric Kraan
