| Planet News Archive ... ... for the week of Jan. 15 - 21, 2006 Monday
(Jan. 16, 2006)
Should More Domes Get Rolling? - Once again this  winter, inline skaters are flocking to the Metrodome in Minneapolis for fun and fitness. Since Christmas, the stadium's Rollerblade Rollerdome has averaged more than 500 skaters per date, says Mike Cofrin of Podium Sports Marketing. Casual skaters circle the lower concourse; fitness and speed skaters, the upper concourse. ... What explains the success? We asked Mike. (Go to his reply.) Tuesday
(Jan. 17, 2006)
World Outgames to Include Inline - Roller  racing will be one of 35 sports included in the first-ever World Outgames next summer in Montreal. The Outgames (July 29-Aug. 5) are intended as a celebration of gay and alternative lifestyles, but they are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or athletic prowess. The event includes most summer Olympic sports and a few others. Inline skaters will compete in three events: a 1000-meter time trial, a team relay and a marathon. (Go to web site.) Wednesday
(Jan. 18, 2006)
10 Ways to Avoid Getting Hit by Cars - Of course, you  could just stay home. But that's no fun. So here's a guide to how to skate in the street safely. It's adapted from Michael Bluejay's excellent guide for bicyclists. Among the topics are where to position yourself at stop lights, how to pass slow moving cars and how to make it more likely that drivers will see you. ... Study it! The best piece of safety gear is a well-tended mind. (Go to the guide.) (Jan. 18, 2006) New Site Appears for Aggressive Skaters -  Aggressive skaters have a lively new web site devoted to their sport: Rollernews. Its creator, David Durrenberger, describes the site as "a rollerblading online magazine." It's loaded with hardware news, videos, photos, gossip and more. It's updated daily and has a lively forum. If you skate aggressive, check it out! (Go to Rollernews.) World Team Skate Calendar Goes on Sale -  Send the Best has slashed the price of its 2006 World Team Calendar. For $8 (was $15), you'll get 12 months of action shots of the 2005 U.S. World Team. You'll also get the satisfaction of knowing you are doing your part to help the best U.S. skaters reach the 2006 World Speed Skating Championships in Korea. (Go to Send the Best web site.) (Jan. 18, 2006) Thursday
(Jan. 19, 2006)
Freestyle Skating Keeps Growing - Freestyle skating  appears to be growing in popularity worldwide. The International Freestyle Skaters Association has scheduled seven major competitions this year—up from five last year. At the competitions, skaters will compete in four events: speed slalom (cone skating), freestyle slalom, free jump and high jump. Events are scheduled for Russia, France, England, China, Singapore and Spain. (Go to the freestyle web page.) Friday
(Jan. 20, 2006)
Missouri Town Bans Skating - This appears to be  another one of those unfortunate situations in which a town passes a law based on the misbehavior of a few of its citizens. ... We talked to Ava's police chief about it. He accused us of trying to start an argument ... which we would certainly be willing to do if it would help. (Go to the Planet story.) Zepto Looks for Better Finish in 2006 - The  German-based Zepto World team finished 12th in last year's World Inline Cup. This year, it would like to break into the top six. The team has added three new skaters—all hungry for glory: Wayne Begg, 26, of New Zealand; Nico Wiedulit, 23, of Germany; and Jon Van Loon, 20, of the Netherlands. The team gets its name from the Scandinavian computer maker. It is cosponsored by the European skate maker Hudora. Bont will be providing the team's custom boots and frames. (Go to the Zepto site, in German.) | | | Go to the Planet News Archive | | |
