Heartland Racing Series Travels to Minnesota and ASE Athletes Flying Fast in the New Year
By Skating Fan
NEXT Heartland Racing Series:
Green Bay Feb 28-March 1st
The Heartland series took to the outdoors at the Gopher Open in the Twin Cities area. The first day had the athletes on the short track with special guest, Olympian Ryan Bedford, dusting off the short track skates for the first time in just over four years. On the second day of racing, the athletes put themselves to the test as temperatures at the Roseville oval dipped into sub zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures.
On the long track, Ryan Bedford was able to draw on his skills to push the athletes to new levels. What is unique about this racing format is, as an ability meet, everyone races every other competitor at least once if not twice. This means that the competitors have the opportunity to race their peers and even toe the line with Olympians. Bedford in his own words said, “It was my first time skating outdoors in Roseville and it was a little challenging with the ‘tropical’ Minnesota weather, but everyone had fun and skated fast.”
Following the competition was a short clinic led by Katherine Reutter and Ryan Bedford, both having competed as well. They doubled the value of the competition with a world class clinic to take the lessons learned a step further. Bedford shared a bit with us about what it meant to compete and share his skating wisdom, “it was great getting back on the ice especially with the young up-and-comers in the sport. Challenging them and sharing my knowledge was a privilege and I was happy to take part.”
Tremendous thank you to Katelyn Brewer who joined the ASE team in Minneapolis as a chaperone utilizing her time off school to do the most important job in skating, VOLUNTEERING. She was also kind enough to share her experience, “The meet was very well organized and a lot of fun. During our time training and racing in the Midwest all the coaches have been very knowledgeable and I see a definite improvement in Alex (Brewer)’s skating.”
As for Long Track, I hope you have your alarm clocks set to leave time to drive in the snow because tomorrow kicks off US championships at the Pettit National Ice Center with Olympic Champions and the stars of tomorrow who will be tearing up the track beginning at 9 am. Why the excitement? Well with the athletes’ diligent work and self belief, coupled with Eric Cepuran’s leadership, the team is poised to race at their best after setting several personal bests just this past weekend in time trials. Don’t take my word for it though, show up with a cowbell and be ready to get a little rowdy as racing goes full throttle from January 9-11 at the Pettit National Ice Center.
Big thing to take note, admission is FREE, thanks to local sponsors, especially title sponsor of Fiduciary Management.
The Schedule for U.S. Nationals:
Friday, January 9, 2015
9:00am-3:00pm Races
Ladies
500m #1
500m #2
3000m
Men
500m #1
500m #2
5000m (Senior Men)
Saturday, January 10, 2015
9:00am-3:00pm Races
Ladies
1500m
5000m
Men
1500m
5000m (Junior Men)
10000m (Senior Men)
Sunday, January 11, 2015
8:00am-12:30pm Races
Ladies
1000m
Mass Start
Men
1000m
Mass Start
