WELCOME....

As I sit here on the plane to Omaha, NE, the majority of the passengers are asleep, although not 4-year-old Abbi Eger, daughter of skater Kim Eger. I don't blame them, as it's only 6:30 am. My husband is snoring so I've put on my headphones and am pretending that I don’t know that guy!

This is just the beginning of our trip and our series of articles, which we hope will become one of the best sources for inside information about the 2007 World Inline Speed Skating Championships in Cali, Colombia (August 17- 24).

You are probably wondering why we are starting our “coverage” a full month before the championships. Having been a part of the last 7 championships in one capacity or another, I am very familiar with the many stories that are out there. The stories that you don’t always get to hear about. I want you to be a part of every smell, every sight and experience — the good and the not so good. It is such an exciting time. I have said many, many times before: If you have never been to the World Championships, there are no words to describe it effectively. The Championships are the most intense speed skating competition in the world. And I will do my very best to take you there with me!

The World Championships last only seven days and come around just once a year. But it takes countless hours and endless work to earn a place at the starting line. I hope to share some of the athletes' stories, and not just those of the winners, but those who will come home empty handed, who may have trained all year on broken concrete tracks or have been unable to afford proper equipment.

We will begin our coverage with the last major tune-up event for U.S. skaters: the USA Roller Sports Indoor National Championships, which start Sunday in Omaha, NE. Starting with the first day of practice, we will cover the entire competition including elite, world class and novice divisions. We hope to include video and photos. And if there are conflicts or falls, we'll have them, too.

I promise I will update the blog daily (although some days more thoroughly than others). So check back every day.

By the way, for those of you who don't know me, I am one of the coaches of the Triad Racing speed team in Citrus Heights, CA. The other coaches are my husband, Pete (the snoring man), Bob Stewart and Kevin Boyer. We've been at if for about 11 years. This year, we have 22 skaters at Indoor Nationals. I also work with Send the Best, an organization that raises money for the World Team.

Although I know I'll be very busy, I'm excited about this opportunity to share the stories of the World Championships with you. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Thanks for reading!

-Linda