Also, FYI, I was told that in regards to ANs, the Chicago LOC is NOT allowed to post results. Only the USFS is allowed, so all we can do is provide a link to them. Strange rule, I think, but they're in charge of it.

The trip to get there was hellish, I have to take a bus, 2 subways, a commuter line train and a shuttle. On Saturday I was feeling down and did not feel like competing at all. I was over obsessing with my skating. But thankfully on Sunday everything started to fall in place. I already knew the drill and felt I was pacing myself pretty well. I skated very well and clean. I doubted myself if I can still skate a clean program and thank heavens it came together.
Now I feel like crawling into a jacuzzi tub and get to bed early.

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Tim David's Website

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Okay, okay! My program stunk. My axel was no where to be found. I messed up my layback catch spin. I never mess up the layback. I came in a very disappointing 7th out of 8. I am still feeling a little demoralized.

But, I did get to meet Stormy and TimDavid. Vesperholly, sorry I didn't say hello, but with all the drama, I thought it was a bad time. I didn't see TimDavid skate, but Stormy and Vesper were both fabulous! Great job, guys! I also got to see Champ Gold and Masters Ladies, and I was very impressed all around. I know some of you are on here, but I'm not sure who. All of the competitors looked really strong, and I was glad I wasn't a judge!

Congratulations to everyone, and I'll see you all in Chicago!

1 Tim David
2 William Rowe
3 Stephen Trazska
4 Michael Finley
5 Jeremy Balcom
6 Robert Cormier

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Tim David's Website

Interesting spelling of my last name there.

I can say that the judging seemed a bit *scwewy* (for most of non-qualifying events--and having only 3 judges? .... Huh?).
I skated my singles program the worst ever and still managed 3rd, which was a complete shock. I was expecting maybe 5th. The 4th place finisher did a nice axel (from my angle) and other nice jumps and spins. And the 5th-place finisher, IMO, had one of the best programs and landed a (slightly cheated?) axel as well.

-Stephen

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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 was great meeting you too badaxel Sorry I didnt get to see you skate, I was in a daze

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Tim David's Website

Sorry, correct me on the spelling one last time I keep forgetting.

yeh it was shocking how the placements were. you did an awesome job of skating a clean skate same with jeremy, I thought that was a winning performance too.

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Tim David's Website

Was this your first-ever competition? In any case, shake it off. Jazz, HelenC, and I all know you're a great skater with a baaaaad axel! Probably just nerves.

Anyone else want to post results?

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Thanx for the vote of confidence, but I made a bunch of errors in my program: My left blade got caught on my outfit (it has these weird flared legs) during my opening loop jump, and I stumbled out of it; I slightly fell out of my first spin (camel-jump-back sit) but recovered; and my blade once again got caught on my outfit in another spin (sit-catch foot upright spin). I also didn't "fly" properly into my flying camel, doing that weird 3-turn entrance jump. Things to work on ....

__________________
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.

NoVa, if you can place third when you skated your worst, that means your choreography, presentation and skating skills must be excellent! That is a very important thing to know going into Nationals, because that means if you just skate like you normally do, there's no stopping you! Congratulations on your strong program!

And congratulations, Tim!

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

I meant to imply that who the heck knows what the judges were looking for (I guess I wowed them over with picking my leg up over my head?! Actually, I looked at one of the judges during this spiral move, and she smiled at me). But I like your interpretation, better, Lauren!

__________________
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.

Thanks
we havent met yet what event did you skate at this weekend?

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Tim David's Website

Wow I didnt notice, you did a good job covering it up.
Steven, your flexibility gets better every time! I wish I had your Perseverance

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Tim David's Website

Do a 3:30 champ. program, and 2:10 will feel like nothing!!!
The flexibility comes/came from "sets": constant stretching at the gym between "sets" and in front of the TV "set." (Oh, I was NEVER flexible as a kid.)

__________________
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.

Oh, let's see. I was 5th out of 8 in Silver Ladies I.

Speaking of drama, badaxel The music people couldn't play my CD, and I couldn't find my backup so I had to use my iPod (thank god NoVa was there with a tape adapter), but they couldn't get it to work either. My skating order was swapped from second to fourth (after the second warmup). Needless to say, I was in tears and really freaked out. I have been really sick for like three weeks, throwing up after skating and really out of breath. I was ready to withdraw last week, but I started feeling better Saturday and decided I would skate. And then because my music is all screwed up, I might not be able to?

Eventually, we got it to work with the help of Lisa whose last name I can't remember (5th in Champ Masters) and a young girl from the club. I have no idea where my backup CD is - it was in a CD book that should've been in my skating bag. I couldn't find it anywhere when I returned to where I was staying. Grrrrrrr.

When I finally got out to skate: I did a good lutz-loop, loop (in place of axel), flip, spirals were OK, messed up a solo layback, left out half my footwork, RBI-3/change edge/mohawk salchow, step forward/RFI toe loop (which I made up Saturday since my program wasn't done!) and messed up the sit-change which ended up being just a terrible sit spin. But I survived!!!

My group was half forumites which rocked, but I'll let them share their own experiences.

Just a note: Mike Finley is a Special Olympian, who in addition to competing at Sectionals was buzzing up and down the highways to compete in the Massachusetts Special Olympics State Games, to qualify for Special Olympics Nationals. He skated a compulsory program on Saturday in Worcester, skated the FS in Boxboro Sunday morning, then went back to Worcester to skate his FS again, and do a solo dance besides. An amazing young man - and a very nice one, besides. He got great support in Boxboro which was greatly appreciated.

And he told me he had TWO axels planned for the Worcester event.
Not only that, but all these events have different program lengths as well.
An inspirational athlete, indeed.

__________________
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.

Think I jinxed you with that music? LOL

Sorry you don't think you skated your best, but glad it was a good experience anyway.

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Yes he was very cool and collected the whole time, I really give him credit for doing an amazing and gutsy skate.

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Tim David's Website

Justin Chien won the bronze men's event with a stellar skate that included huge jumps (looked like his single salchow could have been a double!), great choreography, speed, flow, and line. And this was only his 2nd competition!

A couple of the other guys also had nice, clean performances.

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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.

Oh yes, he was awesome!!! Fast on the ice and a real challenge for the silver men when he joins next year. Very reminiscent of Nicholas Chou. And he is soo nice too

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Tim David's Website

Pacific Coast Sectionals! That's probably why we haven't met.

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

That's all they are - things to work on. Don't be so hard on yourself: I'll bet that no one else thinks you had that many errors. I'm sure you'll do great in the next comp.

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Okay, Mr. Caroline Zhang, what the heck did you do with your leg and when do we get to see a picture of it? LOL!

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics