2008 Lake Placid IDC blog by Elyse & Travis

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Seeing Through Someone Else’s Eyes (by Elyse)

It’s great to see something from someone else’s eyes, or in my case, on the other side of the boards. Most of the time we are so focused on what we have to do to achieve levels or make transitions in programs smoother. Very rarely will we recognize what the judges look for and what they really think. Sometimes skaters are afraid of judges, but from my own experiences I know that they are some of the most interesting people to talk to, skating and non-skating related.

This year at Lake Placid (on top of moving up to junior), I’ve decided to try trial judging some of the competition. I’ve actually been trialing for about a year and a half, and once I turn eighteen, I hope to get my bronze test appointments; however, this is my first dance competition on the judges’ side.

I started off my judging adventure this year by attending the Finnstep seminar. I must applaud all the teams that competed for being the first people to ever compete the dance and for doing an incredible job. It is quite a difficult dance, especially for the lady in the first third (as in most gold/international dances). Bob Horen gave all the judges, coaches, and skaters that attended the seminar great things to watch for such as the extremely tricky timing. For a dance only being 104 beats per minute, it’s pretty fast considering there are 70 steps and the odd timing.

Well, I think that’s all for right now because I have to get ready to compete (the main reason why most of us are here, right?).

Elyse

Sweet with a little bitter (by Travis)

It’s been a very sweet day with a tinge of bitter, but so it goes. After finishing second in the free dance, we had out critique where we found out that the Beillmann position and the foot-to-head position are now technically the “same position.” Are they? I suppose so.

I’m glad that our free dance went well seeing as my partner and I have only been together for about two months which, so I hear, is almost a veteran age for some of the teams competing here. I’d like to thank Michelle Wojdyla for first admonishing me about wearing a white outfit, but then providing me with a wonderful fix for my wedding woes!

For everyone who hasn’t competed yet, the ice feels great. I look forward to seeing all 500 Junior FDs tomorrow! :]

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Sleep=AMAZING (by Elyse)
I feel like skaters are some of the hardest working athletes. Hence, I feel it should not be a problem that I fall asleep whenever I’m in the car.

“She’s sleeping again?” Patrick, my skating partner, asks my mother in the front seat

“Of course,” my mother retorted. “She’s always sleeping. What I can’t believe is that she’s sleeping during ‘Bride and Prejudice.'”

“Good grief,” Patrick laughed. Yes, I was sleeping in the car (yet again). However, in my defense, we were in the car right after a training day back home; in other words, I was tired. I only slept for an hour during the trip through Canada (whereas usually I’ll sleep as soon as I’m in the car). Patrick does not seem to understand this concept. Sleep=AMAZING. It’s logical math.

Within this little blog, my mother (who was hovering over my shoulder to help with my editing) has already found many grammatical errors. I think this just proves my point of sleep is a great thing. On that note, I think I will end my first blog.

Elyse

My first full day in Lake Placid (by Travis)

My first full day in Lake Placid, and already it’s been a whirlwind. As a general rule of caution, I’m sorry if you’re waving to me and I don’t recognize you right away, especially if I don’t have my glasses on (and most of the time even with my glasses on). I’ve had several of those moments today, so here’s my apology: This morning my dad and I went out for a drive and ended up between Wilmington and Jay (make a right at the intersection where you’d make a left for Whiteface Mt.), and came out with spectacular views. We then drove to a place where you can see a gorge beneath you on a bridge (not the one you have to pay for) with just iron slats keeping you from falling about 50 feet into rapids. My dad thought it would be the perfect time to break out the camera. Meanwhile, a truck drove by and rattled the whole bridge. I quickly got off of it and went back to the car.

I then ventured out with Lauri, my skating partner, her mom and dad, as well as my dad, to Saranac Lake. Quite uneventful except for the fact that we found two hairpieces for Paso Doble and the American Waltz. Lauri’s mom told us to keep an eye out for possible ones for skating last night, and sure enough in one of the first stores Lauri and I walked into, we found hairpieces. It all comes back to skating.

We had our first official practice today. For everyone out there who doesn’t know, Novice Free Dance is TOMORROW! I suggest everyone come out and cheer us on! I always forget how busy I get at competitions; it’s 10:34 and I’m about to go to bed because of official warm up in the morning, yet I’m sitting outside my room with Colin McManus (because his room is right next to mine) and not getting any sleep. Such is life.

Let the pointless badge checking begin!

Monday, July 28, 2008

R&R is over; time for P.C. and T.E. (by Travis)

HELLO ICE DANCING WORLD!

I’ve just arrived in Lake Placid and surprise surprise, I’m about to go skating. My family and I spent a couple of days in Lake George over the weekend and after driving a wave runner, getting caught in a storm on the lake, going to an island to get ice cream, fishing with my 6 and 8 year old second cousins, taking two naps a day, getting my knees killed running on unpaved roads, packing, unpacking, repacking, and unpacking our car, 7 hours of driving, and my favorite corn muffins with yogurt butter spread and honey, ady to debut with my new partner, Lauri Bonacorsi, and show our programs. We’re staying at Art Devlin’s this year, and I’ve got to say we’ve got an amazing view; the ski jumps are perfectly framed by the large sliding glass doors. We also happen to be staying right next to Colin McManus and his family.

I’m not sure what I’m looking forward to most in Lake Placid this year, but I’m definitely excited to see everyone again. Nationals feels like yesterday, yet this summer has felt so long so far. I’m going to be a freshman this year in college (GO TERPS!), so anticipation for that has made the summer feel long, but Lake Placid has always been that benchmark in the summer where I know school is coming soon, so part of the excitement of this Lake Placid for me is being closer to going to college. Needless to say, I’m still very ready for Lake Placid 2008!

Travis