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December
17th,
2005 Last
Man Standing The winner of the most unlikely, unthinkable gold medal in the history of the Olympics - speed skater Steven Bradbury - has just released his revealing biography, entitled Steven Bradbury - Last Man Standing. Bradbury captured the imagination of millions of people around the world when, in 2002, he won gold at the Salt Lake City Winter Games after the other competitors in his race tumbled over, allowing him to skate from last to first and take out the medal. While the win was widely regarded as the greatest fluke of all time, Bradbury's success was no accident. It was the culmination of years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Steven Bradbury - Last Man Standing is the inspirational story of obsessive training, burning pain, setbacks, sacrifice and life-threatening injuries - among them, a severed femoral vein when another competitor's skate blade skewered Bradbury's thigh. This book captures the extraordinary life of a gutsy Australian larrikin who fought all odds to compete in four Olympics and win Australia's first-ever Winter Olympics gold medal. Steven Bradbury - Last Man Standing, $29.95, is on sale nationally Courtesy of Katriona Shortal - Geoff Slattery Publishing December
15th, 2005 Champion Rolls Over Roller skater, Jayson Sutcliffe, wins the world artistic in-line title in Rome. Read the full article here. December
2nd, 2005 Manzano skates at the NHK Trophy Miriam Manzano placed 11th at the NHK Trophy in Japan. The surprise winner of the ladies event was Japan's Yukari Nakano. Fumie Suguri, Nakano's teamate, moved up from 6th to place second. The bronze medal was awarded to Elena Liashenko of Ukraine. November
23rd, 2005 Carter withdraws from NHK Trophy. Manzano to skate in Japan Miriam Manzano joins the roster for the sixth and final event of Grand Prix series, the NHK Trophy. This is Manzano's second visit to the prestigious competition, having placed 7th in 2004. The six time Australian champion replaces national silver medalist and 2005 world team member, Joanne Carter, with boot problems as the possible reason for her withdrawal. The competition runs from Dec 1 - 4. November
12th, 2005 Golden Spin of Zagreb Gregor Urbas (SLO) moved up from second to win the men's title over Marc Andre Craig (CAN). Ilya Klimkin dropped to third. Brad Santer finished the event in 17th place out of 26 skaters. November 11th, 2005 Golden Spin of Zagreb This weekend, former 2-time National champion, Brad Santer of N.S.W. skates in Croatia against strong competition, including Ilya Klimkin (RUS), Derick Delmore (U.S.A) and Sergei Davydov (BLS). He is currently in 15th place after the short programme. November, 2005 Grand Prix Series results With the Grand Prix series beginning with Skate America, Miriam Manzano had to withdraw from the event at the last minute. The winner was 2003 world silver medalist, Elena Sokolova of Russia. The following weekend, Joanne Carter placed 10th against strong competition including Italy's Carolina Kostner and Fumie Suguri of Japan. This time, U.S. newcomer Alissa Czisny was the surprise victor. Joanne's next event will be the NHK Trophy in December. LAST MAN STANDING Later this month, aussieSKATES
will review Steven Bradbury's new autobiography. He was Australia's
first Winter Olympic champion, winning gold for us in short track
speed skating. OFDC talks to Miriam Manzano The 2005 National Champion, Miriam Manzano, takes time out from her busy schedule for an interview with Melbourne's Olympic Figure & Dance Club. Click here to read further. October,
2005 Olympic qualification competition result Comprising our national champions in singles men, dance and pairs, the Karl Schafer Memorial was designated as the qualifying event for next Feburary's Olympic Games. Team Australia was represented by Sean Carlow, Natalie Buck & Trent Nelson-Bond, Emma Brien & Stuart Beckingham. Not counting countries that entered athletes
which already have a spot reserved for Italy, all of our skaters
were up against very tough competition. September,
2005 JGP Series results Western Australia's Laura Downing has competed in two international series events, 28th at the Tallinn Cup, and later 13th in the Junior Grand Prix of Montreal. Monday
August 29th, 2005
Saturday August 27th, 2005 Junior and senior skaters were judged under the Code of Points system for the first time in national competition. There were some unexpected results, particularly in the ladies' events. Queensland swept the junior men's podium.
Robert McNamara won for the second time in a row, fending off close
competition from Mitchell Chapman and Dean Timmins. Sean Carlow also took advantage of the
new skating structure with its emphasis on choreography and other
linking elements, winning his first title over the two-time champion,
Brad Santer. Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 August 2005 THE ROAD TO NATIONALS All eyes will be on Perth, particularly in the senior and junior events where podium placements mean vying for international assignments in Europe, Asia and North America. Watch veteran skaters like Miriam Manzano and Joanne Carter battle it out for the senior ladies’ crown, along side Bradley Santer and Sean Carlow in the men’s event. The Australian Championships run from Saturday August 20 until Saturday August 27. GRAND PRIX SERIES announcement July 2005 STARS ON ICE The stars are taking to the ice rink in the latest celebrity reality challenge. For most of us, ice-skating is a sport we tried at school, then left behind with our teen dreams and text books. But that could change when we watch Skating On Thin Ice, a scary new prospect for the stars who’ve signed up. “I’m very nervous,” admits designer Peter Everett, who’s far more comfortable with a paintbrush on shows like Renovation Rescue. “They told me, ‘Pete, it’s for the kids.’ I said, ‘I don’t have kids.’ They said, ‘No, the CanTeen kids!’ So it’s a good cause – I have to do it!” Olympic skaters from around the world will put the stars through their paces for hours each day, and they’ll also be doing weight-lifting, and dance classes at the Sydney Dance Company. It’s all in preparation for a live show at the end of the series, ticket proceeds of which will go to CanTeen, an organisation that helps kids living with cancer. But right now, Peter’s just hoping it will help him lose weight. “I’ve stopped eating hamburgers,” he announces. “I’m drinking water and eating apples. But I’m worried. I’ve got injuries now – a sore hip and a sore knee. It’s not pretty. But I guess we have to trust the experts to make us look good!” [Hot] Source and So Fresh presenter Dave Whitehill agrees, but says he’s not expecting much. “I think there’ll be more spills than classy moves,” he laughs. “But hopefully we’ll emerge as beautifully refined skaters. That’s the plan!” Dave, who surfs and skates, predicts that his sporty background may help him stay upright during rehearsals, but he plans to use extra padding anyway. “I’ll be the Michelin man on my first week, so if I fall over I’ll roll around like a marshmallow!” Former Big Brother winner Regina “Reggie” Bird’s also going to be strapping on her skates. “I can’t rollerblade, rollerskate or ice-skate – so it’s going to be a challenge,” she says. Injuries aside, Peter’s already wondering whether the group will end up sabotaging each other. “Will there be competition? People putting ladders in each other’s tights?” he speculates. “There’ll be a lot of frustration. I’ll be taking lots of Rescue Remedy and my reiki healer, Sala. She can counteract the pain!” Skating On Thin Ice premieres on Sunday, July 3, at 6.30pm on Nine/WIN/NBN. Date
Change: Set your timers, tune in or come and show your support in person! Bradley Santer and Joanne Carter are coming to Melbourne for the opening of the Winter Wonderland at Docklands. Their performances will be televised on Channel Nine's Today Show during the live weather crosses from 7 to 8.30 am. June 2005 aussieSKATES
reviewed! Read what International Figure Skating has to say about us in their June issue. Click here for more. April 2005 RINK
CLOSURE IN MELBOURNE The Eastern Ice Skating Centre in Bayswater, Victoria has recently closed. This is a blow to skating in Victoria, where Melbourne is now down to one rink, the Olympic Ice Skating Centre in Oakleigh. It has left the skating community floundering, particularly with the hockey season in full swing and has affected the figure skating and speed skating clubs. Talks between interested groups are underway to try and save the facility. Just over a month ago the rink at Geelong also closed. So Victoria only has two facilities for ice sports in the whole state (the other rink being at Bendigo which is country Victoria). There are currently hopes for a new state of the art facility at Docklands development in the centre of Melbourne, but nothing has been finalised yet. A
DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ADULT SKATER Master's level skater, Julie Champion, will be keeping a monthly journal about what it is like to train and compete as a recreational athlete. Click here for her on-line diary. JAYSON
SUTCLIFFE'S NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY In a career spanning 25 years, this remarkable young man won world gold on traditional quad and in-line skates. He has even competed successfully as an ice skater. To find out how to order your own copy of Rolaboi, click here Upcoming Functions for Easter The Olympic Figure & Dance Club's Royal Children's Hospital Appeal The Royal Children's Hospital is a Melbourne institution that every year holds an appeal every Good Friday.This year on Good Friday (March 25th), the rink will be running a session from 2-4pm with proceeds going towards the Good Friday Appeal. Olympic Trophy Challenge The OFDC's annual Easter competition will take place on Saturday and Sunday, March 26th and 27th. This year there are over 70 competitiors from Victoria and Interstate with competitors fighting for the Olympic Trophy and Artistic Cup. The best performing state will be awarded the Olympic Trophy. Results will be posted on the OFDC website a couple of days after the competition. The Olympic Figure & Dance Club's Family Fun Day The Olympic Rink is holding a Family Fun Day to help promote ice sports in Melbourne. It is on Monday April 4th from 9.30am to 11.30am (first Monday of school holidays). Cost is $10 per family. There will be demonstrations of skating and games. Each child attending will receive a showbag. For enquiries phone 0419 587 643. We will be holding these Family Fun Days on the first Monday of each school holiday this year. All these events are on at the: Olympic Ice Skating Centre March 19th, 2005 On the final day of the World Championships, Joanne Carter skated the program of her life. Landing five strong triple jumps and two double axels, Jo skated with speed, confidence and attack. Her performance automatically qualifies an Australian lady for next year's Olympic Games in Torino. March 18th, 2005 Joanne Carter, making her return to the World Championships after a seven year hiatus, skated very well in the short program and has qualified for tomorrow's free final. Well done Jo. We're all proud of you! March 17th, 2005 Natalie Buck and Trent Nelson Bond, skating in the original dance portion at the World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow, finished the competition in 28th place. March 16th, 2005 Joanne Carter, fresh from her 4th place at the Four Continents Championship, has qualified 9th in her qualifying round. She will advance to the short program, scheduled for Friday afternoon. March 15th, 2005 Day two of the World Figure Skating Championships featured the compulsory dance. This year, the chosen pattern was the Midnight Blues. Natalie Buck and partner, Trent Nelson-Bond, placed 28th out of 30 couples. On Thursday they will be skating the original dance, set to a rhythm combination. March 14th, 2005 Today the World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow, Russia began with the men's qualifying rounds. Bradley Santer, skating in Group A, placed 16th. New Zealand's Ricky Cockerill was 21st in the same category. March 3rd, 2005 Results from World Junior Championships in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada In the original dance, set to a rhythm combination, Danielle O'Brien & Gregory Merriman from New South Wales moved up once place from yesterday's compulsory round to 25th. March 2nd, 2005 Queensland's Phoebe Di Tommaso skated to a 14th place finish in her qualifying group at the World Junior Championships in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. She went on to finish 29th in the short program. Robert McNamara, also from Queensland, was 16th place in his qualifying round. New Zealand's Joel Watson came 17th. In Dance, Danielle O'Brien & Gregory Merriman from New South Wales skated their set pattern compulsory dance to the blues. They were 26th. February 28th, 2005 This week in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, we will be represented at the Junior World Championships by: Phoebe
Di Tommaso (QLD), in ladies' singles. February 25th, 2005 Adelaide's Ice Magic, the national novice champions in synchronised skating, scored a pair of solid international results competing earlier this month in Europe. The team placed 9th at the French Cup in Rouen, then several days later went on to win bronze in Milan at the Spring Cup. February 19th, 2005 On the final day of competition at the Four Continents Championship in Korea, our Australian ladies did us proud. Miriam Manzano redeemed her poor showing in the short with a clean free program. Including four triple jumps, she scored the sixth best routine of the competition, moving up seven places to finish 9th overall. Joanne Carter also skated a smooth long program. It was a confident display that included 3 triple jumps, two in sequence with double toe loops. Carter's seventh-ranked display, combined with that of Thursday's performance in the short, kept her in fourth spot. It is the best result of an Australian singles skater or team ever at this event. Sarah Yvonne Prytula finished in 21st place. The 2002 Champion, Jennifer Kirk from the USA took the bronze. Silver went to two - time bronze medalist, Yoshie Onda of Japan, and her team mate, Fumie Suguri, the title holder in 2001, won gold. Joanne, along with Team Australia's other highest placing athletes, Bradley Santer, Natalie Buck and Trent Nelson-Bond, will skate at the World Championships in Moscow, Russia next month. That event is the key qualifying competition for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Congratulations again, Team Australia. February 18th, 2005 Today at the Four Continents Championship in Korea, the men's event concluded with the free program. Ricky Cockerill, representing Team New Zealand finished a solid 12th. His team mate, Tristen Thode, ended in 21st position. Joel Watson, 20th after the short program, withdrew from the event. Brad Santer led the Australian men, matching his 2004 ranking at this event with a 13th place. Sean Carlow, competing in his second Four Continents Championship, ended 15th. Stuart Beckingham was 17th. Even Lysacek from the United States of America took the title, with China's Chengjiang Li second, and Daisuke Takahashi from Japan placing third. The free dance final wrapped up for Natalie Buck and Trent Nelson-Bond. They placed 14th. Team mates Danika Bourne and Alexander Pavlov stayed in 17th position. Team USA swept the podium. Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto won gold. Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov took silver. Lydia Manon and Ryan O'Mera secured bronze. The competition concludes tomorrow afternoon with the ladies free skating. Joanne Carter, currently in fourth, has drawn the most coveted spot in the competition. She will be skating last. February 17th, 2005 At the Four Continents Championship in Gangneung, Korea, Australian skaters have completed their first rounds of competition. In dance, Natalie Buck & Trent Nelson-Bond (NSW) are in 13th place after the combined compulsory and original dance events. Meanwhile, Danika Bourne & Alexander Pavlov (NSW) stand in 17th position. Our men, Brad Santer (NSW), Sean Carlow (NSW) and Stuart Beckingham (ACT), are 13th, 15th and 17th respectively after the short program. Team New Zealand's Ricky Cockerill is in 14th, sandwiched directly between Santer and Carlow. His countrymen, Joel Watson and Tristen Thode lie in 20th and 21st. In the ladies short program, Sara Yvonne Prytula (NSW) lies 20th, Miriam Manzano (ACT) is in 16th, and Joanne Carter (NSW) has a very good shot at a medal. She is in 4th place directly behind Jenny Kirk (USA), Yoshie Onda (JPN) and the leader, Fumie Suguri (JPN). February 2005 Team Australia competes at the Four Continents Championship in Gangneung, Korea from the February 16 - 20. Dance: Ladies:
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