Autumn Newsletter -1

8/14/2019 Autumn Newsletter -1

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01/04/2008 Autumn Issue

Upcoming Events

Elite Development SquadCamp03.04-06.04.08Brisbane QLD

AIR Mid Year Meeting12.04.2008Sydney NSW

ISU Congress16.06-20.06.08Monaco

AIR Duke Trophy26.07-27.07.08Brisbane QLD

AIR AGM10.08.08

Sydney NSW

AIR National Championships26.09-27.09.08Sydney NSW

AYOF14.01-18.01.09Sydney NSW

2010 Winter Olympic Games12.02-28.02.10

Vancouver CAN

Welcome to the Autumn issue of the AIR Newsletter. We would liketo congratulate all our skaters competing overseas on theirInternational Results. Since September last year our Teams haveraced at 2 World Championships, 6 World Cups, and 2 InternationalCompetitions. On their way they have broken numerous AustralianRecords and we have achieved our first World Cup Medal.

AUSTRALIAN Youth Olympic Festival 2009

After a great Short Track Event at the 2007 AYOF, Short Track hasbeen included in the 2009 AYOF. Invitations have been sent to

selected National Olympic Committees and we are looking forwardto at least 5 National Junior Teams to compete in Sydney in Jan2009.

You can be part of this International Competition either as a Skater,Official, or Spectator. To run a competition this size we need a lot ofhelp so why not make plans to be in Sydney next year and be partof this exciting event in the 2009 AYOF.

Volunteers at 2007 AYOF


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OWI ASSISTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OFAUSTRALIAS ELITE SHORT TRACK

ATHELETES

It is thanks to a successful partnership betweenthe Olympic Winter Institute (OWI), NationalFederation Cooperation and AIR, that Australianshort track athletes who show promise candevelop their skills with a view to compete in theWinter Olympics, as well as other internationalcompetition events.

Short track is one of six sports or disciplines thatare offered as part of the Australian Institute ofSport (AIS) Winter Sports Program. According toGeoff Lipshut, CEO of the OWI, the AIS ShortTrack program operated by the OWI includesproviding coaching, domestic training andinternational competition support to all of theathletes who have been offered a scholarshipand an opportunity to participate in the program.

The program includes funding for experttechnical coaching, facilities such as ice time,support for athletes attending internationalevents including the services of a dedicatedphysiotherapist, as well as uniforms, Geoff said.

The Australian Olympic Committee formed theAustralian Institute of Winter Sports (AIWS) afterthe Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998, with thesupport of the AIS and Australian SportsCommission. The aim of the Institute is to enable

the development of elite performances in wintersports by Australian athletes, through theprovision of adequate funding, world-class sportsprogramming and technical coaching. On July1st 2001, the organisation was renamed theOlympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWI).

Geoff said the OWI started the program for shorttrack athletes back in 1999, having witnessed theincredible skill and potential of Steven Bradbury(Australias first Winter Olympic Gold Medalistand captain of the first OWI Short Track squad).

This is great news for Australias world-classshort track competitors as they now have thesupport they need to develop their skills, as wellas support to compete in an international arenaalongside the worlds best.

AIR/OWI Australian Short Track TeamLachlan Hay, Tatiana Bourodulina, Alix-Myra Anderson, and

Jeremy Beck

And now a view of Short Track from one of our EliteAthletes

On the ISU World Cup Circuit with Alix-MyraAnderson

With all that has gone on this year, all that I havewitnessed, learned and experienced, I just dont knowwhere to start writing this article. At first I thought Iwould start right at the beginning, but then I noticed

that a full overview from the start of my journey to theend, would take pages. Then I thought about writingabout each individual competition, but did not want tobore you with race details, names, heats and timeswhich I am sure you have all already raided the OWIweb site for. So, instead, I am going to share with yousome of my own personal highlights about the trip, not

just the ones on the ice, but those off as well. I want toshare with you the moments that really stuck in myhead, those special moments that made it ever soamazing and memorable.


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World cup one brought me to Harbin, China. A graylandscape of jam-packed concrete buildings, strangesmells, hectic traffic and the ultimate discord ofChinese cab drivers tirelessly leaning upon theirhorns. I was extremely nervous and excited as thiswas the first time I was to compete internationally forspeed skating. Out of the whole Harbin experience,the two main events that stick in my head the clearest,was the reaction I had the first time I walked into thehuge arena, been absolutely taken aback at the sheersize of it (Only to later find out that it was smallcompared to other stadiums we would soon visit), and

the feelings I had after finishing each race. It was afeeling of pure excitement, adrenaline, awe, and thedesire to get out there and do the whole thing again.In fact, I even remember puffing to myself after a1500m, OMG, lets do THAT again whens my nextrace? It had been the first time I had competedagainst such a large group of such high level skaters.Before each race, I believed I would be left for deadout on the track, but got the surprise of my life when Idiscovered that I wasnt THAT bad compared to otherskaters. I was thrilled just been able to hang onto thepack.

World cups five and six were held in Herenveen Nederlands, and Torino - Italy. Ever since I startedspeed skating, I had wanted to see and skate on along-track rink. But, as you all know, none exist inAustralia. So when the coach of the National team,Ann Zhang, mentioned there was a long track at therink in Herenveen, I made her promises she would letme have some spare time to skate around on it. Itsamazing how fun a long slab of ice can be. Watchingme skate around the track amongst the crowds ofother skaters occupying the ice must have been thesame as witnessing a schoolgirl enter wonderland forthe first time. It was also in Herenveen where I had

my first international stack during a race. Torino, wasa learning experience of a different sort, as it wasthere that I learnt what it was like to have to sit in thestands, and watch everyone ELSE race and live theexcitement. Yes, I disqualified myself not once, butTWICE in the qualifying rounds, meaning that I wasofficially out of that competition, and excluded fromany further racing. Still, there was much to learn fromwatching and studying the other skaters which I willmost likely have to face in the future.

The World cups concluded with the last two remainingcomps held in Quebec Canada, and Salt Lake City

Utah. Quebec was not that eventful, and the onlyreal memories I carry back from there are the clothesshopping, the out door ice rink, the strange sight of itsnowing upwards in the midst of a blizzard, Apollo

Anton Ohno been DQd along with Lee Ho Suk, andhaving a very comical B final, and most of all,reaching the last strand of patience with travel. By thistime in our world cup trip, we had missed planes, lostbags, toured every corridor of every airport, and evenhad flights turned around. But the final Competition inSalt Lake definitely made up for that. The ice was fast,the spirits were high, and I even managed to make anew PB. But the best thing from Salt Lake, one of thetop highlights of the whole trip, was seeing TatianaBourodulina carry the Australian colors in third placeover the finish line. When you see something like that,you feel a sense of pride to be an Australian and to

see other Australians do so well for our country.

Yet, from the whole trip, the BEST thing I experiencedwas the support and friendship of my team. Theywere there for me through thick and thin, teaching me,supporting me, making me laugh, and putting up withme when I was struck with clumsiness. Yes, the wholeexpedition may sound all fun and excitement, butthere were also many times where it was hard,frustrating and nerve-wrecking, and it was at thesetimes that my team were there the strongest, and forthat, I thank them all greatly.

I hope that one day you all have the chance toexperience and witness all that I have. And my adviceto you all is that indeed, hard work pays off. If youreally want something, its not going to come to you ifyou sit on the couch, no one is going to get it for you,you have to get out there yourself.

Take care all!

Alix Myra Anderson.(photo courtesy of de Groot Photography)


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News From the Board

Welcome to the first newsletter for 2008. I wouldlike to thank Brett Throssell for taking over therole of Newsletter editor. If anyone has an articleor information they would like to include in theNewsletter please contact Brett or KerryMcDuling.

The AIR Junior Squad had a very successful tripto the ISU Junior World Short Track Speed

Skating Championships in Bolzano and thenonto Germany for the Munich Junior Challenge.Some great results were achieved by the team ofMarissa Earle, Grant Hester and Noah Essaghir.AIR would like to thank Pam Cavanagh for herrole as Team Leader on this trip and tocongratulate Pam and the Team on their results.

The AIR/OWIA Team also have just finished the2007-08 ISU Season at the 2008 ISU ShortTrack Speed Skating Championships in Korea.

Congratulations to Ann and the Team on a greatseason of racing. Jeremy Beck and Lachlan Hayrepresented Australia at the WorldChampionships after a long season of racing.John Bradbury was one of the Starters at theWorld Championships and Jim Hewish was theChief Referee at the ISU World TeamChampionships. Alix-Myra Anderson had alsoachieved the qualifying times but elected not toattend this year and Tatiana will not be eligible torepresent Australia at the World Championshipsuntil 2009.

Project 10 held their second camp at Canterburyrink and will be holding their next camp inBrisbane. The Elite Development Squad willhave their first 2008 camp in April at AcaciaRidge.

There will be a general meeting on the 12th Aprilat Bankstown for the State Delegates followed bythe Strategic Planning meeting and in theafternoon a AIR Board meeting.

In a previous Newsletter we looked at the role ofPresident of the AIR Board. This time we look atthe role ofGeneral Secretary. The GeneralSecretary is responsible for all the administrationof the sport. They are the main point of contactfor all the Stake Holders, ie The State Delegates,State Members, the National Coach, ASC,OWIA, AOC, ASADA, ISU,WADA, Media LiasonOfficer, National Records Officer, Website Editor.The General Secretary is responsible for allcorrespondence between the National

Federation and others. Areas of administrationinclude, regular contact with the Directors andgovernance issues such as organisation ofBoard , General and the Annual GeneralMeetings. Drafting Policies, Risk management,Website review, Newsletter, Anti-Doping Officer.

State News

Victoria

Ice training at Oakleigh has resumed after theXmas Break with encouraging numbersreturning. All skaters have apparently maintainedhigh levels of fitness and enthusiasm. The earlymorning ice sessions are providing hard, cleanand fast ice.

Through wind and rain we ran a Bunnings BBQwith ten keen members volunteering for a very

successful fundraiser. Docklands ice rink is stillcoming, with construction starting soon. Bendigoice rink has closed, but finance and planning arein place for a new location and rink. For theChristmas break-up we held a BBQ/Presentationwith over fifty in attendance. Several skatersfrom the past accepted awards in recognition oftheir previous achievements and were given theopportunity to meet our newer members
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Queensland

2008 is looking good for Queensland. We havebeen able to hold our numbers after the XmasBreak and we are looking forward to an excitingyear of racing.

The QIRA has established a State DevelopmentSquad coached by Tabitha Caldecutt withTechnical assistance from one of the NationalTeam Members Lachlan Hay.

Queensland is hosting the 2008 Duke Trophy atBoondall Ice Rink. We are hoping to retain theDuke Trophy again this year.

Project 10

The New Limited Edition Project 10 T shirt is nowavailable for only $25. Show your support for ourOlympic Ladies Short Track Relay Team.

Available in any Colour as long as it Navy Blue.Once these shirts are gone we will not bereprinting them.

To order, contact any Project 10 Squad member,Alison Throssell, Lisa Jensen or Yvonne Hay

The 2nd

Project 10 Camp was run in Sydney, on14-16 March. Richard Nizielski once again ranthe camp. The Camp programme included bothon-ice and off-ice components. The on-icecomponent of the camp was run at CanterburyIce Rink and centred on improving the relaychanges for the skaters. All the skaters showedimprovements in relay technique. The off-icesessions included both off-ice training andinformation sessions including nutrition,maintaining training diaries and core stabilitytraining.

The skaters are well on their way to achievingthe qualifying time set for a team to attend aWorld Cup competition in the 08-09 season.

Project 10 SkatersKrysia Child, Marissa Earle, Sinead Fogarty, Richard Nizielski, Alix-

Myra Anderson, Emma Coxon-Smith
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Autumn Newsletter -1

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