Thursday, July 24th, 2008...6:20 am
Skating News: How to Watch US Nationals Online and Participate
Okay, since I am the designated instigator of the "How to Watch Nationals Online and Participate" online. Allow me a moment to put all the info into one posting in order to make this easier for everyone to be on the same page of the playbook. I’ve also posted a lot of this info here on my weblog or on www.skatelogforum.com so feel free to follow along–
1. The Official 2008 Schedule for the US National Roller Figure Skating Championships can be downloaded at http://assets.teamusa.org/assets/doc…ule_7-8-08.pdf . The file is an Adobe Acrobat file, so you will need the reader which is free from Adobe.
2. Remember the times given are in Lincoln, Nebraska USA Time, which is CENTRAL DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME. Also remember the event could be up to ONE HOUR EARLIER THAN THE POSTED TIMES. And they have been running ahead of schedule most of the week. You’ve been warned so don’t gripe if you miss an event.
3. The rules about when and what the powers that be at USA Roller Sport’s webcast are fairly simple. All performances will be shown, unless the coach asks it to be blocked. Practices are not shown. Got it? Good!
4. Section V for the Virtual Online Chat Section here in the forum, where we’re sitting around chatting online. It is open anytime they are webcasting. If someone isn’t there go open it up yourself. Go to http://www.skatelogforum.com/chat-room.htm and log in with your handle or name. You are expected to conduct yourself like ladies and gentlemen otherwise the powers that be on the Skatelog forum will boot your booty out the door. Get it? Got it? Good!
5. For those of you who are interested in harassing, asking questions or getting a good luck plug out to your buddies online or in Lincoln, the folks doing the announcing and color commentary for the webcasts have set up an AIM Account to check in at: USARS2008. If you don’t have an instant messenger account, you can get one free from AOL at http://dashboard.aim.com/aim . I personally prefer Trillian, www.trillian.cc which allows me to IM on several IM companies accounts at one time, but you’re welcome to pick your personal preference as your mileage may vary…
6. For those of you asking me again this year… I’ve set up cell phone pictures of screen captures over on my Flickr account. You are welcome to snag them and share them with your friends, family or make a dart board of the competition you’re going to beat next year. All I ask is that you credit me. So Enjoy!
7. A personal request: For those of us cruising who aren’t in Lincoln, and are sitting at home/work/the local coffee shop on our fannies watching the events in Lincoln (and may be dressed in our bunny slippers and sweats,) please remember to support the World Class Junior and Senior Teams Travel Fund.
Despite the politics of why USA Rollersports does not have enough cash in the bank to do this as an organization for our top competitors is irrelevant at the moment. The reality check is it is going to cost nearly $4000+ per US skater to TRAVEL to Worlds in Taiwan. This cash is going to have to come out of the skaters own pockets or their parents. Is it fair– No. But that is the reality we’ve been handed at this moment.
For most of us who are regulars on the Skatelog Forum, we have two skaters or their parents who regularly participate in the discussions and they have won a slot on the US Junior and Senior World Teams this year. So we have a direct connection to people on the World Teams. Those skaters are Hector Pereira in WC Junior Dance and Cassie Miller in WC Ladies Figures. Congratulations to both of them. I know they have worked hard all year to get to this position, so it’s time we show a little love back their direction. If I’ve left anyone out… let me know.
I am personally asking each of you to do what you can to support them by donating to the National Travel Fund or the skaters individual travel fund, or do something for their local fund raisers. Before Nationals is over I will put up all the info up online where to contribute to each skater’s personal fund and the National Travel Fund so we can help out.
It is my understanding that Peggy Young , at USA Rollersports is the direct contact on World Team Travel Fund. The address is:
USA Roller Sports
World Team Travel Fund – Attn: Peggy Young
P.O. Box 6579
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 483-7551
Feel free to pass this info around!
Tags: World Class Junior, World Class Senior, WC Junior, WC Senior, Roller Skating, Artistic Roller Skating, Roller Skating, Roller Figure Skating, US Roller Nationals, US Roller Figure Skating Nationals, 2008 US Roller Figure Skating Nationals, 2008 US Roller Skating National Championships, Skate Dance, Pairs, Freestyle. Singles, Dance, Free Dance
