Planet News Archive Week of August 7, 2005 Sunday
(Aug. 7, 2005)
Louis Beaudoin Wins Big in the Napa Valley Marathon - Twenty- four-year-old Louis Beaudoin pulled away from the pack shortly after the midway point in today's Napa Valley Inline Marathon and went on to win by more than a minute and a half. Finishing behind him in second and third were two members of the Hyper Racing Team: Dane Lewis and Troy Atwell. ... Naomi Shechter won the women's race. (Here's the Planet story!) Monday
(Aug. 8, 2005)
Chad Hedrick's Racing Skates Stolen, Returned- Inline-to-ice champion Chad Hedrick had a few worried hours last week after his custom ice skates were stolen from a Phoenix parking garage. Hedrick had stowed the skates in a backpack, which he left in his pickup truck. Some time later, a thief on a bicycle smashed a window of the truck and snatched the backpack. A security camera recorded the theft. ... But within hours, the backpack with the skates still inside was recovered at a Phoenix homeless shelter. ... Hedrick was happy to get his skates back. He told a reporter that they are the same one's he used to set the new world record in the 3000 meters earlier this year. (Here's a KSL-TV news story about the theft.) (Aug. 8, 2005) Orlando, Fla., Promoter Schedules Several Inline Events - Buttar has several  inline events on its late summer and fall calendar. First up is the Moonlight Ramble (Aug. 20), which includes an unusual evening half marathon. Then there's the Orlando Cup Inline Half Marathon (Sept. 21). Next, two more back-to-back half marathons that are part of the Great Orlando Stage Race (Sept. 24-25). And finally, the Valencia 5K Fun Run, Walk and Roll (Oct. 1). ... (Here's Buttar's calendar.) (Aug. 8, 2005) On the Forum:
Can the a2a Be Saved? - Skaters have lots to say about how to save  the Athens to Atlanta Road Skate. Their ideas range from reducing the number of U.S. marathons overall to turning the a2a road course into a loop that would turn back before Atlanta. One skater says organizers need to make the event more affordable for the young -- and could do this, in part, by providing inexpensive accommodations for young skaters. (Here the discussion!) • Got a question, comment, events to publicize or press release? ... Post a note on the Planet Forum Tuesday
(Aug. 9, 2005)
Dan Burger Captures the Action at the Napa Inline Marathon - Injured skater Dan Burger may  not be racing right now. But he's still actively involved in the Northern California skating community. He was taking photos and cooking burgers at Sunday's Napa Valley Inline Marathon. ... He clearly has an eye for photography. (And the burgers weren't bad, either!) ... He was kind enough to share some of his photos with the Planet. (Here they are! ... And thanks, Dan.) (Aug. 9, 2005) Top U.S. Women's Champ to Quit Inline Skating in Pursuit of Olympic Dream - Theresa Cliff-Ryan  says she is leaving skating next year to devote herself full-time to cycling. "There is nothing left for me to do in skating -- I have won everything I could," she told the Grand Rapids, Mich., Press. "My goal is to be an Olympian, and that is why I am moving to cycling." ... The 27-year-old Michigan native has won 29 gold medals at world inline speed skating championships. Last year, she topped it off by finishing first in the World Inline Cup. ... A member of Kia Motors' inline racing team, she says she spends half her time training on a bike. She won the Delta Imports Ada Bicycle Criterium in Michigan on Sunday (Here's the Press story.) (Aug. 9, 2005) New York 100K Can't Use Date Left Open by Canceled a2a - Organizers of the New York 100K are still without a date despite the hole in the race calendar left by the cancellation of the Athens to Atlanta Road Skate. Brooklyn's Prospect Park, where the 100K is held, is already booked for the weekend of Oct. 8, said Doug Fessenden of the Empire Skate Club. Fessenden is helping the organizers of the 100K secure permits for the event. The next possible date is Oct. 23, although it is not clear yet whether the park is available. "It's possible the 100K won't happen this year," Fessenden lamented. (Here's last week's story on the postponed 100K.) (Aug. 9, 2005) On the Forum:
Can the a2a Be Saved? - The discussion about saving the a2a has evolved into a thread about bolstering the sport of inline skating. Among the ideas: better inline brakes, creating a national inline safety program, and legalizing road skating, which in some areas is illegal. (Here's the discussion!) • What Happened to Miller Sports? - Cesare wants to know what has become of Miller Sports? The California-based boot and frame maker doesn't seem to be returning phone calls. (Here's his post.) • Got a question, comment, events to publicize or press release? ... Post a note on the Planet Forum Elsewhere on the Web ... What dry land discipline can make you a better skier? ... Inline skating, of course. (Here's the story from Ski magazine.) Wednesday
(Aug. 10, 2005)
Long Beach Changes: Lots More Skaters, New Finish Line - Skaters  continue to rally around the Long Beach Inline Marathon. Registration for the event is on track to top 1000 this year. In fact, the organizers say, skaters are registering for the race at about double last year's pace. ... Long Beach asked for help. Skaters responded! (Here's the Planet story!) (Aug. 10, 2005) Grand Finish Planned for Upcoming Montreal Marathon - Inline skaters  won't have to wait for Olympic recognition for their chance to roll to victory in an Olympic stadium. The finish line for the Montreal International Marathon will be in the city's spectacular Olympic Stadium next month. Built for the 1976 Olympic Games, the stadium features the tallest leaning tower in the world. ... The marathon (Sept. 11) is part of the Festival de la Sante, a large multi-sports event for runners, skaters and cyclists. (Here's the official web site.) (Aug. 10, 2005) On the Forum:
• 100s or 80s? ... Cast Your Vote! - A lady skater with petite feet is taking a poll. Her question: What kind of racing skates should she buy ... Ones with four 100 mm wheels or five 80 mm wheels? ... So far, the 100s are winning, but write-in candidates are offering stiff competition. (Vote here.) • Fight That Skating Ticket! - "Laws about 'roller skates' don't apply to 'inline skates,' " Mark says. Explain that to the cop if you ever get pulled over for skating on a road. And if you do get a ticket, fight it. (Here's Mark's post.) Can the a2a Be Saved? - The discussion about saving the a2a has evolved into a thread about bolstering the sport of inline skating. Among the ideas: better inline brakes, creating a national inline safety program, and legalizing road skating, which in some areas is illegal. (Here's the discussion!) • Got a question, comment, events to publicize or press release? ... Post a note on the Planet Forum Thursday
(Aug. 11, 2005)
Organizers Cancel 2005 New York 100K - The organizers of the 2005 New York 100K have been unable to arrange a new date for the event and have decided to cancel it. "They couldn't get a date before November, so they decided to regroup and come back next year," one of the former organizers told the Planet. ... The event was apparently the victim of a change in management. A new group of skaters took over the event this year from the Empire Skate Club. But the group was unable to secure the required permits for the event, which was scheduled for Sept. 26 in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. This year would have marked the 15th year for the event. (Here's last week's story about the event being postponed.) (Aug. 11, 2005) Miller Sports Plans New Boots, Frames for 2006 - Miller Sports is redesigning its speed boots for 2006 and  also plans to update its line of frames, said co-owner Derek Highstreet. The California-based company used to be one of the most prominent makers of inline speed and fitness skates in the United States. But in recent years, it has focused its efforts in Europe and Asia. This year, it did not update its U.S. product line or web page, leading some skaters to wonder if the company was still in business. "We are certainly still here," Highstreet told the Planet. (More Industry News.) (Aug. 11, 2005) Can You Dance, Dracula? - Get your costumes  and routines ready for Halloween Inline Dance 2005. The contest is an all-digital affair organized by the Holiday on Inlines web site. Just suit up, videotape your two to four minute dance routine, and upload it to the site. A jury of your peers, along with anyone else who submits a form, will evaluate your routine. Points will be awarded on the basis of skill, transitions, execution, composition and interpretation. You can enter alone or in the pairs or group categories. (Here's the Halloween Inline Dance web site!) (Aug. 11, 2005) On the Forum:
• Skaters Must Fight for Equal Road Access! - So how do you do this? ... For one thing, take to the streets on your 'blades. For another, learn how to talk to the police if you are stopped. (Here's the latest posts in the discussion!) • Russian Photos of 2006 Rollerblades - The intrepid cyber-sleuth Mr. T found the photos. (Here they are.) • 100s or 80s? ... Cast Your Vote! - A lady skater with petite feet is taking a poll. Her question: What kind of racing skates should she buy ... Ones with four 100 mm wheels or five 80 mm wheels? ... So far, the 100s are winning, but write-in candidates are offering stiff competition. (Vote here.) Can the a2a Be Saved? - The discussion about saving the a2a has evolved into a thread about bolstering the sport of inline skating. Among the ideas: better inline brakes, creating a national inline safety program, and legalizing road skating, which in some areas is illegal. (Here's the discussion!) • Got a question, comment, events to publicize or press release? ... Post a note on the Planet Forum Friday
(Aug. 12, 2005)
Sneak Peek: New Rollerblade Frame Will Stretch to Fit Street or Road Skating - 2005 has been the  year of the Big Wheel for Rollerblade; 2006 will be a year of refinements. The skate company's new models will include more Big Wheels, new colors, new shells and an all new fit. There will also be an adjustable frame designed for both street and road skating. And an ultra-light frame for speed junkies. (Here's the Planet's sneak peek at the 2006 Rollerblade models!) (Aug. 12, 2005) Italy Wins Medal Count While France Takes More Golds at European Championships - Italy rolled  away from the recent European Senior Championships with the most medals (28). But France collected the most golds (13) and had two skaters (Alexis Contin and Estelle Flourens) win three events each. Winning the marathon was Michaela Neuling of Germany and Nicolas Iten of Switzerland. The championships were held in the Teltow-Flaeming suburbs of Berlin. Teams from 17 countries competed. (Here's the official web site in German.) (Aug. 12, 2005) On the Forum:
Bike Brakes for Skates? - Why can't inline brakes be more like bicycle brakes? ... Wouldn't that work better? (What do you think?) • Taking It to the Street! - Just get out there and skate! That seems to be the consensus in this heated discussion of the legality of road skating. Some state and local laws appear to prohibit it. But for the most part (with some exceptions), the laws aren't enforced. And if they are, they ought to be challenged! (Here's the latest posts in the discussion!) Can the a2a Be Saved? - The discussion about saving the a2a has evolved into a thread about bolstering the sport of inline skating. Among the ideas: better inline brakes, creating a national inline safety program, and legalizing road skating, which in some areas is illegal. (Here's the discussion!) • Got a question, comment, events to publicize or press release? ... Post a note on the Planet Forum Saturday
(Aug. 13, 2005)
U.S. World Team Climbs the Incline! - The U.S. World Team has finished its  two-week training camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Top men's skater Joey Mantia, down with mononucleosis, never made it to camp. But on the bright side, the team eventually found a road course (dubbed "Hell's Kitchen" because of its steep climb) after getting tossed off a trail in Denver for speeding. ... On the last day of practice, the team had an off-skate session that involved climbing the infamous Incline trail near Pikes Peak. Team manager Linda Wood sent us a photo. ... It's pretty but I bet nobody was humming, "Stairway to Heaven." (Here's the photo!) (Aug. 13, 2005) On the Forum:
Virgin Looks for Advice - Kate is shopping for her first pair of skates. She's not sure what to buy. What's your advice? (Post it here!) • Best Body Position for Braking? • Would skaters be better off in a tuck or standing up and holding onto a leash for balance? ... The answer to the question may determine the future of inline brakes. (Here's where it starts.) • Got a question, comment, events to publicize or press release? ... Post a note on the Planet Forum Elsewhere on the Web ... Apple software engineer nearing end of 25-year skate odyssey of Oakland streets. (San Francisco Chronicle) | 
