(Roanoke, VA) When the forecast states there is fog in Roanoke, there is definitely reason for concern for both drivers & pilots which caused several delays before the start of the Blue Ridge Challenge 2012. With the hazy conditions outside it was only clear what was taking place inside at Star City Skate which was indoor 100m flat track speed skating at its best.
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| Ron Dillow looking strong this season |
The rotunda floor freshly coated with some WP8 was shiny & new & couldn’t wait for some Novice action on day 1 which took off without a hitch & it was all out from there till Sunday evening. It was obvious that novice divisions were showcasing their skills & speeds by putting it all out there for their teams, families and vendors which surrounded the entire rink quite snug from wall to wall. Novice or not, they were hitting high speeds showing no fear diving into those narrow corners with hopes to come out with a solid line & then to repeat lap after lap in order to hold off the rest of the hungry pack.
Following the division races were the Novice Opens where Atom Wheels won five open events & competition was fierce as ever and evident from the loud crowds cheering making it nearly impossible to talk to someone nearby. This was a small reminder of how fun our sport still is & wishing it was like this at every event promoting tremendous growth. Day one of novice racing concluded with some exciting relays followed up with a practice session for standard and elite division skaters.
Day two was off to another early start with standard divisions coming to compete & prove who’s actually going fast at the end of this winter season. Devin Firek aka Pork Chop known for his humorous off the floor personality brought a more than serious skate side as he proved it in the Sr. men’s 5000m open by crushing and lapping the entire field with precise strategy & a few 8.7 sec laps. Firek on his IQ’s was clearly the fastest man in his division & we’re hoping to see more ‘seriousness’ from him this coming season.
(above, Kelsey Helman winner of 500m WC ladies)
Her super sister Kelsey Helman won the WC ladies 500m holding off Bell & Leech at the start/finish line. Luigino’s Zac Sagiao (silver) & Dustin Hebson (gold Team Florida) were the two to watch in Sophomore Men & will be the two to watch in Lincoln 2012. Winner John Ristine in the Veteran Open was quite impressive which had several fast Master & Veteran skaters fighting for the top spot. In WC men’s Open 5000m event it was 32 year old east coast native Michael Cheek who battled young guns Wesley Gandy and Nate Jackson in the final laps for the gold. Grand Classic Annette Haywood (MI) won the WC ladies Open however it was 14 year old Franchesca Bell out of Team Florida sporting her shiny new IQ’s who came to play in World Class ladies division winning the overall title & taking home bragging rights for this years Blue Ridge Challenge.
(above, Kelsey Helman winner of 500m WC ladies)
(above race action - Franchesca Bell WC ladies overall winner)
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| (above race action Luigino's Zac attack leads sophomore men) |
We realize there were several other winners & a big congrats to all that stood on the podium)
Sunday was day 3 and the last day of racing but slowing down was not anywhere on the menu as athletes still had plenty left in them before the heavy snow started to fall all over Roanoke, Virginia. Crash & burns were taking place left & right and making sure you trusted what were on your feet was crucial. High speeds with zero room for error made for some even more exciting passes & race strategies nonetheless. Atom Wheels had an extremely successful and better turnout than the year before and we would like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth even if it was just to say hello or to clear the rumor of us still making the worlds #1 wheels (we never stopped & never will). We couldn’t do it without your support. Thank you and hope to see you at the races soon.
2 comments:
Ron Dillow lookin strong this season????? What a TUB!!! Grosssss!
Yeah Dillow looks disgusting
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