Debbie suggested a support group for those of us who are struggling to pass our Bronze Moves and FS test for Adults Nationals 2006. So... let's form one!!!

I'll start with this... I started one last year for Kansas City and Mel On Ice from that support group did pass her Bronze tests and is now going to AN this year in Kansas!!! YAAAAAY!!!

I was supposed to take my test last year in April, but soon after I had a foot injury which sidelined me back in March. Turns out my old boots was totally worn out and I ended up ordering my first pair of the new purple Harlick boots. I took the Bronze Moves test in August and failed it. I saw I was nowhere near the point where if I took it that I would pass it in a couple of months, so I took a break from it and did Skate SF 2004. Afterwards, I went back to it, but shortly after, my first pair of purple boots disappear and it took a way for me to get a new blade for my old worn out boot, which I temporarily used until I get the new purple boots. Was injured again in Dec from wearing those boots!

I got my second pair of purple Harlick boots and it made a lot of difference in the world. I can finally get back to doing my moves. In fact, it got better this time around. Phil from Harlick SURE does know how to put in a blade mounting... No adjustment needed!!!

I think now is a good time to start thinking about when I should take the Bronze moves test again. Today's lesson seems to show that I'm getting better on them and I think it won't be long before I start thinking about testing them again... But who knows... as you might have read, it's also how well my FI mohawks (on the 5 step mohawk) works out too, amongst other things.

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Jazzpants, I like your style.

2006 will be a big year for me since I will turn 60 , which puts me in Class XXXVIII I need all the support I can get.....

I am busily working on my Bronze qualifications and may have my act together by then. Also Dallas is a great city and it would give me an opportunity to make a side trip to my Alma Mater, Texas A&M University.

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Keeping School Figures Alive!!

may I be offer to be a support group mentor? Like I said before, you pass, I bring the champagne!

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Champagne in 2005, 2008, 2009 - who's next out of the pre-bronze club...?

Wang chung!

I am confused. I thought there was no official communication from US Skating about this venue yet. Where did you hear it was definitely Dallas?

I'll be starting to work on my MIF and free after CRC in mid March and after I get my foot issue resolved!

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

Since when has the lack of "official communication" prevented us from turning speculation into fact?

Nah; I've heard unofficially that Dallas is the venue in 2006. I was hoping for the East Coast, but other sections deserve their turn.

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Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

It is not official yet, but there was a note in the fall USFSA Board of Governors' meeting's Report of Action (the same one that detailed the proposed changes in the adult MIF test structure) that the Board chose Dallas as the host for 2006 AN. It will be voted on at Governing Council in May, and if passed (I can't imagine who would object to the AN host, but you never know) it will then be official. The adult MIF changes will also be voted on at GC.

(By the way, LWalsh, we met at New Year's (I was Kari's pal). Good luck this weekend at the Winter Classic! My coach is doing Champ Gold Ladies there.)

I had a moves lesson last night and my moves coach thinks I will be ready to test Bronze MIF this summer - he said I was about halfway to passing standard. My power 3's need the most improvement - essentially, they need power. He said my 5-step was OK, but was rushed, and I need to push harder and wait a few seconds between steps. I also need to point my toes and improve my extension on some of the steps, and improve extension and speed on the BO edge glides. The biggest problem on the forward and back perimeter stroking moves is that I'm stepping on flats occasionally and that my arms sometimes wiggle. He did say that I had good speed on those moves - woohoo!

As for Bronze FS - I need a backspin, well, one that lasts for 3 revs anyway (I'm up to 2). I also have gotten used to holding my leg to the side and not crossing it over in scratch position. I also need a little more height on my loop jump, but I made good progress on that last night.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

Dunno, but it sure looks official to me...

http://www.usfigureskating.org/event...s.asp?id=28954

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Hmmm, it sounds like the ice rink is either next to a mall or in a mall. I just can't see having a skating competition in a mall rink - although it would probably be warm and there would be plenty to do during comp breaks. I guess the rink complex is just next to the mall building - a short walk to food and shopping will be required.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

I just looked at some info about the rink, looks like it is in a mall but not one of those that are smack dab in the middle where everyone hangs over the rails watching you.

The Polar Ice Rink, located in Grapevine Mills Mall, features two NHL regulation-size ice rinks. Seating available for 1,000 spectators.

As long as the local rabble don't throw french fries or pennies onto the ice, it should be a great place to skate. And it looks like it's only ~5 miles from the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport.

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Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

I dunno, maybe a few pennies and french fries would improve my presentation.

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Keeping School Figures Alive!!

But of course!!! After all, you made it this year!!! I want to hear about your first AN experience when it happens...

Anyone else who wants to be a support group mentor or just be a cheerleader -- you're welcome to join us here too!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

I am a Dallasite, so VERY stoked to see that AN 2006 is looking definite. The question is, could I pass pre-bronze AND bronze this year (and choreograph a program, get a dress, beat stage fright) so I could compete? If not, well, I'll do vodka-miniature-throwing duty.

About the rink, I've never skated there but I've been to that mall and can vouch that it's NOT the middle-of-the-mall setup where one risks getting pelted. And as someone already mentioned, it's convenient to the airport.

If anyone wants info about the D/FW area I'll be happy to do what I can, either now or as it gets closer. NoVa Sk8r, you will love Dallas. Everyone's very friendly, the shopping is unbeatable (Adult Nationals in a mall: need I say more?), and you trip over great Tex-Mex and barbecue at every turn. East Coast, pish-tosh.

Yes and yes. Practice practice. Also, try to find an adult-friendly test session. My advice is to set a (realistic) deadline for yourself, i.e., I will pass pre-bronze by July and bronze by November. Take note of when the tests are being held. It helps to know in May, for example, that there is a test in late July.

Oh, boy, I can tell we will be great friends!

It seems like the rink is attached to the mall, but not smack-dab in the middle of the mall. It sounds like a great setup. It will be nice to get away from the competition and have lots of other entertainment/food options. My pairs partner will be happy to know that there are a Haagen Dazs AND a Cold Stone Creamery in that mall.

This Yankee boy has never been to Texas (or anywhere in the Midwest, really), so I'm lookin' to wreak havoc and have loads o' fun in the Lone Star State!

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Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

You will be doing this with The Other Woman, of course?! As of now, I'm planning on doing AN in Dallas next year, assuming I can get my act together...

Even though I already skate at Silver, I've set a test goal for myself for pre-juv moves. The only way I'll "allow" myself to go is if I pass that test during the year. I have to set goals like that in order to make real progress. So even though it's not really related to my being eligible to compete at AN (I already have twice), it's a personal goal. So I want to participate in this support group, albeit in a slightly different way.

For those of you whose goal is passing bronze tests so you can be eligible, hang in there. You'll get it!!

Mais, bien sur! And since everything is bigger in Texas, we need to start planning our pranks NOW!

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Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

If it's Texas, shouldn't it be Bourbon, not vodka (oh, those bourbon nips at the Mountain Cup - I didn't even know I liked the stuff until then.... unfortunately, I rather adore it!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

After one or two, it doesn't really matter, does it?

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Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

Well, sort of, because I don't actually like vodka, so would probably have given my nip to someone who does....

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Two girls who won medals at Nationals skate at a "mall rink." It's not as nice as the one they've described here, but it's at one end of the mall, by the JC Penneys (low traffic), and the surface is well maintained. They have hockey tournaments, a skating school, and good amenities, including a world champion on staff.

I used to make fun of "mall rinks" until I skated there while my home rink was down. The irony is that to get to the rink from the mall, you have to go through a video arcade. Good thing there's an outside entrance....

As for you in the support group, good luck with Bronze MIF and FS. I feel for you. I passed my Bronze free on 1/10/02 (so I could go to AN), but I was unemployed and couldn't afford to go (sigh). But I'm ready for my third (and hopefully my last in Bronze--I'm beginning to really feel like a sandbagger), and I hope you guys will be in Dallas!

Think of it this way--you're saving money this year for shopping between events next year!

I wasn't making fun of mall rinks. What I meant was that it would feel odd to be competing, with an announcer, judges' table, etc, and have people walking past the rink on their way to shop, or staring down at the rink from above as they shop, while skaters are walking around in costume and warming up and stretching. I've never skated in a mall rink, so that's how I imagined the setup. It looks like this rink is at the mall complex, but a separate building. I stand corrected.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

I'd like to be a mentor also, I'm working on pre-bronze, and am waiting to see if the new MIF is adopted before I consider testing.

Well, I've passed the Bronze freestyle and MIF tests, but can I join anyways? Here's why: Even though I've passed the technical tests, I'm nowhere near skilled enough in jumping to be competitive in Bronze competitions. No loop, no flip, no lutz. And getting my silver moves together is going to be a looooong road.

AnnM, if you don't mind my asking, how did you pass Bronze FS w/o at least a loop? The jump requirements are toe loop, salchow, and 1 other single rev jump.

I'm not questioning your test result, I'd just love to know how it could be done! I've got a shaky loop myself. And an even more shaky flip, and definitely no lutz.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!