I got home a few hours ago from the competition. I wish I could have stayed longer and seen more, but I've got b-school work that's been piling up this week. Plus my mom came with me, and she was cold - she's not used to ice rinks. It was an early morning - I got up at 5 and left around 6:15 - and I was so worried about sleeping though my alarm that I kept waking up in the middle of the night at various times - LOL - but I'm proud of my performance in light of my lack of sleep. I finished 3rd in my group out of 4 (our very own Terri C was the winner) but 2 judges put me 1st. (I joked to my coach that I hope they judge test sessions at the Gardens in Laurel - that's where I think I'm going to be testing my pre-Bronze moves - hey they were from the D.C area, it's possible )

Unfortunately, I was the last skater in my group (I predicted I would skate either first or last), so I didn't get to watch the other skaters, but I did order the event on video, so eventually, I will get to see it. Things were a little crazy right before I skated b/c my coach didn't get there until literally the last minute (she had gone the wrong way on I-495 and it took her 2 hours to get to the rink - as opposed to an hour and 15 min or so). Fortunately, another coach from my rink was there b/c she was coaching another skater from my rink/club in Young Adult Pre-Bronze (the event right after mine), so she stayed with me during the warm-up and the backstage stuff - she and her student and I had a group hug - LOL! My coach came after the first skater (Terri actually) had started.

My program went fine, except that I decided to start at the blue line closest to the entrance, instead of the further one, b/c that way I could (theoretically) turn the program around and have it oriented toward the judges, instead of the opposite side. Of course, that went awry when, after my opening (sorta) backspin, I went in the wrong direction to start my jumping sequences. Oh well, I did finish facing the judges after my final spin. And I landed all of my jumps, except that the toe loop in my (2nd) sal-toe combo didn't have much "toe" to it - my toe pick was kind of to the side of my other foot instead of behind. But I got 4 revs on my scratch spin at the end - unfortunately, only about 3 revs on my sit spin. And how's this for bizarre - I added a toe loop after my first salchow (which was supposed to be a solo), so I had 2 sal-toe combos, and I didn't even realize what I did! My coach commented after I skated how ambitious I had been to do 2 sal-toe combos. I had no idea what she was talking about.

Anyway, I also had a chance to watch Dani in Bronze FS - she has terrific flow and speed, and a cool move where she does a sit spin out of a lunge. Flo did a great job in Silver CM - she won her group - her back spiral is amazing - flo, can I borrow your BO edges? LoopLoop and Skaternum each did a great job in their Silver FS event - I left right after it was over so I don't know the results. And I believe Erdehoff was the other competitor in Young Adult Pre-Bronze (along with my rink buddy) and won. She should definitely compete more often. So should the skater from my rink. We at the rink will have to work on that one.

All in all, for my first solo competition (I did a team event in November), it was a good one. It was great to meet everyone from the forum. I do wish I had "skated" better. I'm sure I'll see more on the video, but in the pics they took at the comp that I looked at during a break (I bought a couple), I noticed that I looked tentative - not a lot of knee bend and my upper body looked awkward, although my coach said that I had a good back position on my sit spin. My spirals looked nice, although I want to improve the extension and try to do my back spiral w/o bending my skating knee. Watching the Bronze FS events showed me what I need to work on to skate at the next level - spins, speed, and edging, and just feeling comfortable out there. I imagine that just takes time.

Back to my accounting homework.

Congrats to Terri C, Debbie, flo, and everyone else who skated!! If anyone has pictures to post, do share them with us all!

I wanted to see the competition but had a freestyle lesson today (and the test is next week). I'm glad I didn't make the 2 hr. drive after the lesson because I discovered that I have a screw in one tire. (At least it's in the tread area, so it can be patched tomorrow. And I'll have to get up so early I might be able to go to a freestyle session and practice my moves in the field.)

<< And I believe Erdehoff was the other competitor in Young Adult Pre-Bronze (along with my rink buddy) and won. She should definitely compete more often. So should the skater from my rink. We at the rink will have to work on that one. >>

Yep, that would be me! Debbie, you skated GREAT! And so did your rinkmate, the other person in my category. She had a terrific skate and I was glad to have met her. I was so thrilled just to be there. I competed two or three times when I was about 12 (I barely remember it), and this was my first adult competition, so I had no idea what to expect. What a great group of people! Everybody was so positive and supportive of each other. I did get to meet several people from the boards, including Debbie and Skaternum and a few others. (I would remember your names, but I think I was still all nervous when I met you and I've forgotten them!)

Because my coach picked Tuesday to change around the second half of my program, I was happy just to get the choreography right. And I didn't fall! I'm hoping to do the Capital Regional Competition in Bowie this spring and hope some other young adults decide to do it, too. I'll keep my eyes open for them!

Good luck to anyone who's skating tomorrow!

__________________
Here's a good trick: Get a job as a judge at the Olympics. Then, if some guy sets a world record, pretend that you didn't see it and go, "Okay, is everybody ready to start now?".
- Jack Handey

I am happy to report that Skaternum won Silver II and LoopLoop took the silver!

I was also happy with my performances. I think I was the undisputed bronze queen! ;-) I entered three events and took three bronze medals ;-)

Hugs!!
Danielle

Congratulations everyone! It sounds like you all sk8ed gr8 and had a great time!

Well I just got back from doing my exhibition. It went alright, my coach said my spins and presentation were better than she had ever seen in competition. I rushed big time though, and didn't hold any of my jump landings. That was the judges biggest critique-rushing. Overall, it went pretty well and I got good feedback to improve the program for my next comp. in two weeks.

I am also planning on doing CRC's, erdehoff. It is nice to see some more young adult competitors out there.

Had a blast, as usual! We got to see lots of old skating friends and make some new ones. erdehoff did a great job in her YA event, and you should have seen dani's fabulous Interp number! In fact, all the skatingforum people I saw skate did really well. And a bunch of us got together for dinner on Saturday, which was a lot of fun. Most of us were finished skating, so we could unwind and have all the greasy fried food we could stand! And booze for a few of us. (Shhh. If my faux pairs partner asks, all I had was a salad and some water. wink.)

Man, was I tight during the warmup for my FS event! I felt like I never really got down into my knees. It didn't help that they'd lost a couple of CDs and had to call me over during warmup to go get my backup tape from my friend at the boards. (And that is why you really should keep a spare handy at the boards. The other skater whose music was lost had to run to the dressing room and get hers!) So I lost almost a minute of my warmup taking care of that. Everything in my program was clean, but it just felt tight and icky. I always seem to forget how big a factor nerves are for adult skaters. I had to keep reminding myself that I do this for fun as a hobby, and I'm not actually going off to slaughter when I step out onto the ice by myself.

I bought the video for the whole flight so I can see what other people did later (too nervous to watch during the event) and a couple of the pictures, and I'm very pleased with my gold medal. It's a big improvement, because a mere 16 months ago, I finished dead last in my first-ever Silver competition after testing up.

I missed having my faux pairs partner there, because he's so much fun, but I still had a great time. All the skatingforums people were so nice. Not a whacko in the bunch! Hey. Wait a minute. ... Maybe I'm the whacko in the bunch. Hmm. Hadn't thought of that.

Kudos to jenlyon60 for a great job with the hospitality for judges. And to the rest of the competition committee for putting on this event. We know how much work it is, and are very appreciative.

Sounds familiar....

Any results and/or photos posted yet?

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This space has been put on hiatus for retuning....

It's probably going to take me a while to get anything posted, because I'm heading out for my annual ski vacation next Saturday. I'm going to be up to my eyeballs doing skating laundry and then packing ski clothes. I'll try to get something up as soon as I get home from that.

Debbie, I had to laugh at this because I went the wrong way during a runthrough last week, too! I'll have to practice starting on both ends of the rink (it's a half-ice event) so I don't do that in the competition!

Congrats to you, and everyone else! sounds like you had a great time.

Pat

Black Sheep, complete results will eventually be posted on the WFSC website. Is there somebody in particular you would like to know about?

RNsk8r, I missed your exhibition because I was talking to somebody I haven't seen for several years who is now teaching at Ashburn. I'm glad you got good feedback from the judges.

Hi,
Back from the event, and we all had a great time. Congrats to all! It was really a good competition, and thought that the level of skating was pretty impresive. I had a chance to see Debbie (great job)! and then skaternum and loops in the silver ladies. I thought the programs were great! Then I saw Dani in our interpretive group. Everyone really enjoyed her performance.
My events went well. I first had the silver compuslory moves. in the event was also a friend from my club who won the gold last year in the event. I thougt we all did pretty well, and I ended up winning this year and she came in second.
I had a great time in the interpretive event. I skated last so I had a chance to see many of the programs, which were really good, and had a good level of skating and performing. My program's a special one for this year, for the 10th Adult Nationals and all the friends I've met through skating. I really enjoyed the program and won.
It was great to see everyone, and I'd also like to see some pictures. I'm not sure if I have a place to post any.

RNsk8r, I'll definitely try to do CRCs. Are you in YA? What level are you at? I'm currently at pre-bronze but am hoping I can pass my preliminary tests (failed on the moves last month, but I'm taking another shot this month) and go to Bronze, as is the other person who was in YA Pre-Bronze.

Flo, was that you doing the Adult Nationals memories program in Interpretive? That was a great program! It was obviously very heartfelt, and I loved the bits at the beginning where you did edges and things.

Sorry I couldn't go out to dinner with you guys -- I ended up having too much work to do and had to go home. But I hope to see you next year!

__________________
Here's a good trick: Get a job as a judge at the Olympics. Then, if some guy sets a world record, pretend that you didn't see it and go, "Okay, is everybody ready to start now?".
- Jack Handey

erdehoff, you need to come down to Peach Classic this year! It's a larger competition, so you stand a chance of having other young adults. It's usually Labor Day weekend.

Thanks erdehoff! That was me. I did the figures at the begining because they were included in the first few AN's. Then there's some basic freeskating and then a run of counters down the ice to represent the moves. It was a lot of fun! Were you in the group with a woman from Ice World - Chesapeake FSC? She came in second in her event.

erdehoff, I am a YA for another 18 months. I have passed my Prelim. free and prejuv moves. I was working on juv moves, but am taking a break from them for a while. See you at CRC's

Which I made sure that LoopLoop ( who put me on the ice) had in her hand before I skated!

Many thanks to LoopLoop, NoVaSk8er,Skaternum, and Dani for helping me with sanity maintenance during my event!
By the way, I got a silver in Bronze MIF!

And Terri did a wonderful job announcing the awards, too! It was neat having a friend with that duty on Saturday! And Bob, who put the awards on us did a great job putting the medals over our pony tails!

I didn't see Terri's MIF event but she had a wonderful pre-bronze skate!

I didn't have my copy at the boards, and I just realized that!

Hugs!
Danielle

ps) Glad you made it back safely Terri!

I finally made it out of the rink today at 5:30 (was trialing on the test session, then we had to finish tearing down the hospitality suite...)

Happy it's over for another year.... but if anyone is interested in Cherry Blossom, they usually have adult FS events. I get a break from hospitality most likely... got asked to help with admissions (Cherry Blossom is big enough that we sell tickets).

By the time Peach Classic rolls around, I'll be a real grown-up! Guess that means I'll have to take the adult tests? We'll see how far I've gotten by then... I'm hoping to get my preliminary moves and freestyle done by March or April, and then we'll see.

__________________
Here's a good trick: Get a job as a judge at the Olympics. Then, if some guy sets a world record, pretend that you didn't see it and go, "Okay, is everybody ready to start now?".
- Jack Handey

I loved the counters! It was a great program.

And yes, I was with the woman from Ice World. She was really nice and I hope she does CRC!

__________________
Here's a good trick: Get a job as a judge at the Olympics. Then, if some guy sets a world record, pretend that you didn't see it and go, "Okay, is everybody ready to start now?".
- Jack Handey

Congrats to skaternum, LoopLoop, flo, dani, Debbie, my coach of course, Terri and anyone else that skated!!! You guys ROCK!!!!

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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!!!

No, I just want to see if I recognize any familiar names.

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This space has been put on hiatus for retuning....

LoopLoop was doing double duty ... she helped calm my frazzled nerves after my less-than-stellar performance in silver I FS.

Everyone should have a LoopLoop for their performance (Rent-a-Loops?).

And I can say to LoopLoop that I will definitely try NOT to shake when (notice I didn't say "if") we compete in faux pairs.

__________________
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.

Congratulations to the lot of you! It sounds as though you had a wonderful time, worked hard, skated well, and generally promoted the Great Cause (of Adult Skating).

Hope to see lots of you at the Mountain Cup. Our first competition this year isn't until May, so you will all have had loads more practice than me.

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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!