Riedell Sponsors Young Skater

[Isk8NYC]

I'm not sure what to make of this - a four-year old skater with a sponsorship from Riedell? (A quick and probably inaccurate search indicates that she's Pre-Preliminary.)

http://www.news10now.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=125321

Gee, maybe they'd want to sponsor a promising adult skater, like our own blackmanskating?
(What skates are you wearing these days, Mr. Soon-to-land-a-triple?)

[IceMinx]

that's weird. what did they have a random lottery or something??

[Artemis]

... or she's related to the CEO ...

[TreSk8sAZ]

I googled her and according to Skate Wilmington, she's still basic skills. http://www.skatewilm.com/Skate%20Wilmington/skate%20wilmington%202007s.htm

I'm sorry, but I think this is wrong. Great for the family of the girl since obviously she has health problems (video said extremely premature) and there are probably bills there. But, Reidell really doesn't have any business sponsoring a basic skills 4-year-old in Central New York versus any other 4-year-old, 12-year-old, adult in any other region at any other level. A 4-year-old can't possibly show enough talent (especially in basic skills) for them to assume she's going to be the next Olympic Champion. Are we now going to have the particularly bad skating parents promoting their young children for sponsorships? What about the parents who are financially strapped, and want their kids to do well? I don't see any good from this, other than for that particular family. :giveup:

[twokidsskatemom]

I saw her results were in basic C with no music, not pre pre. Maybe you found something different.That was July 07
I also saw badge 2 Fall 07.
No pre pre,

edited at add. didnt see above poster when i posted.

[Isk8NYC]

I had read competition results (http://www.yarmouthiceclub.org/CranberryOpen/Results/Pre%20Pre%20Pre%20Showcase.htm)that said a skater with that same name was in a Pre-Prel/Prel competition this past August. That's why I said it was probably wrong.

Perhaps she is Basic Skills and was able to skate up for the Showcase event? If so, that's incredible for a four-year old, huh?

I wonder if it's really a "modeling assignment" or a "charitable gift" more than a "sponsorship?"

The whole idea of the company sponsoring a preschooler does seem to open up Riedell to criticism by the many different ages that were left out of their alleged sponsorship.

[twokidsskatemom]

I would find it very hard to believe that a 4 year old that was in Basic c and placed third out of 4 in july would take 2nd in a combined pre pre/prelim showcase in August.
That makes very little sense. Maybe a typo or just another skater.
I would think the angle would be because she is a premie.

[Schmeck]

This bothers me on three fronts -

1. Having any kind of sponshorship puts a lot of pressure on a skater to succeed - does this mean that this 4 yr old has to win, win, win? Now that they've gone public, her skating will be under a local microscope. Hope they belong to a nice, gentle club!

2. It mentions she's done competitions and exhibitions - she's only 4 years old, does she have psycho-parents? It mentions she's going to skate at a hockey game? Why?

3. She's only 4 - why would she even need sponsorship - how much is this little girl skating, and if the parents can't afford it, why do they still do it, when she's only 4???

[littlekateskate]

hmm.. well it sure would be nice to have someone pay for my childs skating. lol

And for those that think its insane that she has competed and done shows. My daughter just turned four a few months ago and has done 6 competitions and 2 shows. She absolutely loves it and the "performance" is her favorite part.

I say if the kid enjoys it go for it.. Let them show off all there hard work as many times as possible! : )

[Sessy]

and what if her feet turn out to be not riedel-fit? she'll end up ruining them.
besides how much could skates at her level for her age possibly cost?! just buy second-hand.

[4rkidz]

perhaps less negative speculation and more support of the fact that at least one little family gets a break - and by the way not a huge break - a pair of skates? Surely you can't all begrudge the fact that a family is getting a bit of a break for a child that obviously beaten the odds to even be a skater?:giveup: