|
| 2006
September 06th, Wednesday |
| Anyang
2006: Interviews |
 |
| Competitor’s
name: Sebastian Lopez
Rivera (Mexico) |
| Age:
16 |
| I’ve
been skating for 7
years |
| This
is my first time in
Korea, I like it here
very much. The track
is very good. The
food is different
to Mexico- ours is
hot, but Korean food
is even hotter, I
prefer my mother’s
cooking better. |
| I
ma happy with my results,
but I would have liked
to have done better. |
| I
am going to train
very hard for Worlds
in Colombia next year. |
| I
will train with very
hard force. |
| I
want to say thanks
to my father and my
coach Nicolas Santibanes
for all his help.
Also to my mother
who is very special
and my grandmother,
who comes to watch
me race always and
shouts very loud for
me to win. She is
a very special person
in my skating and
family life. |
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Mika (Japan)
|
| Age:
16 |
| I
stared skating at
age 5. |
| I've
been competing since
I was 8 years old |
| I
train 3 hours each
day |
| This
is my 4th World Championship |
| When
I am not skating,
I am at university
studying nutrition. |
| This
is my 4th time traveling
to Korea. I have friends
here, especially Kwok
Chai on the Korean
Team, who I want to
skate like some day.
She is my idol. |
| Thanks
to: My mother and
father my coach Eisuke
Ohya and all my team
members who have helped
me get the this level
of skating. |
|
 |
| Competitor's
name: Luca Presti
(Italy) |
| Age:
26 |
| Since
'96 I've attended
the World Championships, |
| I
am studying to do
professional massage |
| I
am married to skater
and have one baby
boy Gian-Luca |
|
 |
| Competitor's
name: Francisco Zangarini
(Italy) |
| Age:
25 |
| This
is my 6th world championship |
| I
train for about 2
hours, 6 days a week. |
| As
if 2 years ago, I
stopped studying,
I don't work, I am
training full time
for speed. |
| I
love pizza. |
| Thanks
to my parents and
coach, Olindo Stevanarto
for their help in
me getting to worlds
this year |
|
 |
| Coach/Manager's
name: Maxim Glazov:
(Russia) |
| Coach
manager: |
| This
is my 15th visit to
Korea. |
| I
have come on both
business and to skate
(compete).I skate
to gain experience
for the team and myself
|
| I
have skates the Swiss
Inline Cup |
| We
have no banked track
in Russia, so the
skaters have no
experience with
the bank. They hope
to do better on
the road- but have
no medal hopes at
this competition.
|
| Russia
has 2 senior men at
worlds this year.
They are aged 23 &
26 |
| My
skaters can now see
there is a LOT of
work to do to become
competitive at a World
Championship. |
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Nikolay Yugay
(Russia) |
| This
is a great experience
for me to be in Korea
at this level of competition.
|
| I
want to thank the
organizing committee
for doing a wonderful
job here. |
| Also
my personal thanks
to Bill Begg, who
has opened my eyes
to many aspects of
both speed skating
and training in general.
Thanks also to my
parents for helping
me get here. Also
'ASK Trading' who
sponsor our team.
|
| I
hope to have a career
in logistics |
| I
doubt we can complete
next year in Colombia,
due to lack of funds,
but this has been
a truly great experience. |
|
 |
| NZ
Team coach: name:
Roy Dobbin (New Zealand)
|
| This
is my first time in
Korea, it's a fascinating
country. Much warmer
than where I am from.
The Korean people
have been very helpful
and friendly to our
team. The track is
fast and technical.
It has taken some
getting used to, but
the results have shown
that on the track,
it suited the NZ team.
Our team has done
well, and are a bit
tried now. We hope
after their day of
rest it will help
them. Some countries
only skate road, and
they will be fresh
for that part of the
competition. My boys
have paid to come
to worlds, even though
they have been fully
sponsored for the
last two years. They
prepare for this and
other major competitions
a year in advance.
|
| SPARC
– our NZ funding
council has assisted
with funding, which
is performance based
in NZ. Our team
has already been
here for 3 weeks,
so we ar happy it
is such a nice place.
Glad the weather
finally cooled down
a little for the
road events. |
| We
hope to back up our
good track results
on the road. |
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Madhu Anaberu
Gangadhar (India) |
| I
am representing India
as a Senior Man –
this is my first World
Championship |
| Korea
seems to have good
roads and the position
of the track is excellent.
|
| I
did the 300mm Time
Trial, 15k, elimination
and 500m on the track. |
| We
are very proud of
our competitors. I
train about 2-3 hours
daily, before and
after shchool. |
| I
have been using inline
skates for 4 1/2 months,
I was on quads for
over 3 years before
I changed to inline
skates |
| I
am studying science
and want to be an
engineer. |
| I
will continue to skate
and maintain my level
of fitness, but may
not be able to devote
the time I need to
compete at world level
|
|
want to thanks the
Mayor of Anyang –
who made us feel very
welcome here. The
organizing committee
has done a very good
job. |
|
 |
| Competitor’s
name: Andy Finster
(Australia)
|
| I
am 24 years old and
this is my (or was)
my first World Championship. |
Back
in 1988 I went to
my first roller skating
public session.
I started speed skating
in 1991 at a rink
in Melbourne, Victoria
(in Australia) called
“Eltham Roller
Rink”. Lots
of my team bates Down
Under will be watching
this web site to see
my results, but by
now they know there
aren’t going
to be any. In my first
race, the track time
trial, I crashed and
burned. |
I
started speed skating
because I wanted to
go really fast. That
feeling hasn’t
changed.
The road circuit here
is really smooth and
fast (I did a warm
up on it before my
accident (yes, it
was an accident –
not a deliberate). |
The
track is really nice,
but a little bumpy
on the corners…
This is my first trip
to any Asian country,
it’s exceptionally
nice here, this city,
Anyang is very pretty. |
| The
Kin –Chi is
pretty good too
– last night
I ate jalapenos
(hey, I’m
not competing now)
I’d like the
opportunity to come
back here and race
some day in the
future (when I can
swing my arms in
the races). |
Thanks
to everyone who helped
me get here this year,
I hope you can give
me another chance,
I am glad I had the
ability to make the
team once and I know
I can do it again.
Love life: I am currently
available and as you
can see, in need of
some assistance. Give
your resumes to my
manager: Sara Bont
at the track, who
will scrutinize them
to ensure I am in
the best hands. |
|
 |
| Competitor’s
name: Vincent Henry
(Great Britain). |
| I
am 21 (prime of my
life). |
|
This is my 6th World
Championship. |
|
It’s my first
time in Korea, I’ve
been her since Aug.
29th to acclimatize
and get used to the
track. |
The
city is nice and clean
and relaxed,(unlike
China last year).
My mother came to
China a week before
worlds and traveled
around them come to
watch me compete.
Apart from Nationals
in Great Britain my
mother has never seen
even a video or a
World Championship
race. |
She
was amazed at the
racing and in awe
of me doing it.
I hated the track
here, it felt like
a cycle-veladrome
to me, bumpy on the
corners. |
| The
road here is very
good. I think more
world records will
go today. (since interviewing
Vincent, his prediction
came true with Joey
of the US breaking
the 500m World Record. |
| I
really want to thank
my coach, John Fry
for all his help and
encouragement. Also
thanks to all the
people who ever criticized
or encouraged me,
and all other skaters
for helping me out.
Special thanks to
Inze Bont for the
best speed boots ever.
And mummy, thanks
for your financial
support ? |
| Love
life: I’m available,
but not cheap. I would
love to meet some
female skaters, come
up and introduce yourselves
when you see me out
and about the road
circuit. I like movies,
theatre, I can stay
in a watch TV or take
you out. Your call.
Don’t delay,
I am only here for
a few more days. |
|
 |
| Competitor’s
name: Mika Poutala
(Finland) |
| I’m
23 years old. |
I
competed at Junior
worlds a few years
ago in Colombia.
I’ve been to
2 World Championships
as a senior. |
| My
background is long
track ice speed skating.
I completed in Torino,
Italy at the last
Winter Olympics . |
| I
started skating when
I was around 12. |
| Some
of my friends did
inline skating as
tracing for their
long track ice speed
skating. |
| I
started inline for
the sake of inline,
not to cross train. |
| We
have about 7 months
of the year, that
we can inline skate
in Finland if we are
lucky. When there’s
not snow on the roads
and it’s not
freezing outside.
We have nowhere indoor
to skate. |
| It
was difficult getting
used to the time difference
here and because inline
is not funded like
ice, we were not able
to come as early as
we would have liked. |
I
really like it here
in Anyang, it’s
a very nice city,
clean and the track
is very good.
I’d like to
come back here to
race. |
G-f
gave me a gift, to
speed skate. My team
mates have helped
me a lot also.
My Finish girlfriend
is studying in Australia
at present, but will
be back home for a
white Christmas together. |
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Auralie Duchemin
(France) |
| I
am 20 years old. |
| This
is my 2nd time at
a World Championship. |
| I
was competing in China
last year in the long
distance races. |
| Now
I do sprints &
10,000 |
| I
started racing because
my sister encouraged
me to. |
| I
train about 1 1/2
hours every day. I
am at university –studying
sports, and I want
to coach adults. |
| My
coach, Stephane Urien,
and my parents are
responsible for me
getting to Worlds
this year - my thanks
to them all. |
| This
is my first time in
Korea – it's
lovely; the city is
beautiful and I love
the track. |
| I
was about two when
I first put skates
on my feet. When I
was 7 I joined a speed
club. |
| My
studies may keep my
from being in Colombia
next year. My brother
skates in the same
club as me. My mother
helps me in many ways,
including skating
with me. My father
coaches me. |
|
 |
| Competitor’s
name: Munkhanidral
Ganbat (Mongolia) |
| 17
years old. |
| Shy
personality, but love
speed skating. |
| My
team mate had a fall
and his arm is in
plaster. We are not
upset. It will make
him stronger when
he can skate again. |
|
 |
| Competitor’s
name: Pan Yi Chin.
(Chinese Taipei) |
| Been
to many world championships.
I am like a role model
to the other players
on my team. |
| My
coach Tony Park, (Coach
Lin) has always been
there for me. |
|
He has coached me
to world medals and
is a very strong person.
He looks after his
skaters like they
are family. |
| I
am very proud to represent
Chinese Taipei and
happy to se the new
young skaters improve. |
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Wayne Begg (New
Zealand) |
| I
first skated at a
World Championship
in 2000 |
| I
have been at 4 World
Championships |
| I
was in Anyang in 2004
for the World Inline
Cup, I like it here.
The food is good,
we have lots of good
restaurants near out
hotel. |
| I
do gym work daily,
I use a spin-bike,
go for a bike ride,
and skate (weather
permitting). |
| I
came 5th in Munich
this year and will
head off to the Berlin
Marathon after Worlds
is finished. |
| I
must thank my dad,
coach Bill Begg, my
mother, ex-world champion
and my little sister,
Nicole, who nags me
to train. I am very
proud of her achievements
at worlds this year.
|
| Special
thanks to Ben: a training-partner
of mine from NZ who
also skated in Switzerland
this year who told
me to "harden
up" and "hurray
up" and I did
J |
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Tumelo Moteme
(South Africa) |
| I
am 13 years old and
this is my first World
Championships. |
| The
food here is very
different to what
I eat at home. They
have big fish in tanks
here and some are
alive and some appear
to be dead. Their
muscles are huge (we
eat small ones) |
| This
is my 7th year of
speed skating competition
(not Worlds) and I
was only 7 when I
started skating. |
| When
I am not skating,
I am at school –
I want to work as
an IT person eventually.
|
| My
coach Wendy has helped
me all the way and
is an inspiration
to me and other skaters.
I also wish to thank
my mother, who told
me to keep skating
and that one-day I'd
be good at it. |
| I
am glad of this wonderful
opportunity to travel
and complete like
this. |
| Now
you have seen my pic,
introduce yourselves
to me and my team
members. |
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Andrea Gonzalez
(Argentina) |
| At
29 years old, I have
a lot of experience
at World class competitions.
|
| I've
been to worlds 12
times now |
| I
was only 7 when I
first started skating. |
| I
train daily for about
3 hours. |
| My
thanks to the Argentine
Government who has
funded my skating,
which is very helpful.
|
| I've
been to Korea 4 times
for the World Inline
Cup competitions.
|
| I
like it in Korea,
I like the Pizza and
pasta |
| When
I finally finish competing
I want to coach and
pass on all my experiences.
I am currently working
with small children,
training them. |
| My
city is Mar-del-Plata,
where we had worlds
a few years ago. |
| My
coach, Carlo and my
family have helped
me get to the level
of skater I am today.
|
| Also
a good friend (and
my masseuse) Riccardo,
is to be thanked. |
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Helen Havam
(Estonia) |
| This
is my 3rd World Championships |
| I
completed in 2003,
2004 and now 2006 |
| When
I was in New York,
I had traveled from
Estonia and had rested
from doing sport for
almost 2 years. Some
work friends suggested
we all buy inline
skates. We did one
very fast lap of Central
Park every day. |
| One
day in Central Park
I skated past a guy,
who caught up to me
and followed me for
a long time. I was
sure I was about to
be mugged. He started
talking to me about
speed skating and
helped me get my first
pair of speed skates.
They were all purple,
purple boots, purple
wheels and of course,
purple frames. |
| I
had my first race
in that set up in
1997. I was so proud
of them at the time.
|
| I've
come a long way and
now skate on the "Bont
3 point mount set-up"
that I love, they
really work for me.
|
| As
a representative of
the tiny country of
Estonia, I wish to
thank the gracious
people of Anyany,
especially the local
council who have had
people show us around,
introduce us to the
Korean food and make
us feel exceptionally
welcome. I feel like
I have a second family
here – they
even sit in the stands
with an Estonian flag
and sheer for me.
I hope with the continued
support of people
like Glenn Koshi of
"Bont-North-America",
I will be competing
in Colombia in 2007.
|
|
 |
| Manager's
name: Sut Hoong Jenn
Lut (Singapore). |
| This
is my first Worlds
competition. |
| As
a kid, I met a skater
in a local skate-park
area of Singapore
where lots of skaters
hung out. He hooked
me up with my first
pair of Bont skates
and I've never looked
back. I have been
able to encourage
many other skaters
to try speed skating
|
| I
skate 4 days a week.
I train in the gym,
do ply metrics and
cycling. |
| This
is my tenth (10th)
time to Korea. I have
come her with family
and friends previously
to go snow skiing
and to attend WIC
races. |
| I
can handle spicy food,
so no problems there. |
| Thanks
to the Singapore Roller
Federation for their
support of our team.
|
| This
is the first Worlds
Championships for
our team so it's very
exciting for them.
We have 2 guys and
one girl on our team.
Our athletes are impressed
(amazed) with the
strength of the other
skaters. The power
of the skaters is
incredible. We want
to learn as much as
possible, and are
glad of the opportunity
to be here. We have
no banked track in
Singapore, so we hope
to do well on the
road and the marathon.
|
|
 |
| Competitors
name: Sara Bak (Denmark)
|
| This
is my 2nd World Championship
event, |
| I've
started skating on
aggressive skates
when I was 8 years
old. |
| The
track here is very
fast, I like it a
lot. |
| I
came 19th in the 300m
time trail, and I
am happy with that. |
| My
placing of 22nd in
the elimination was
good, I passed other
competitors who I
really wanted to beat.
|
| I
like it here in Korea,
it's much warmer than
in Denmark. |
| I'm
not good at hot food
(which they love here
in Korea) –
I think my stomach
will go crazy –
other food her is
OK. |
| My
thanks to my coach,
Jens Norremark and
national coach Lisi
Schrenk. |
| My
sponsor: Sport Team
Slagelsa and my city
club. |
|
 |
| Competitor’s
name: Daniel (Danny)
Finster (Australia) |
| I
am 27 years old |
| This
is my 8th World Championship. |
How
I got into skating
is: when I was only
I was invited to a
birthday party at
a rink (this is a
popular way for children
to have a party in
Australia). I sucked!
I stayed on the carpet
the whole time and
fell over a lot. One
of the mums even laughed
at me. After that
experience, I didn’t
skate for another
6 years.
My brother (the one
on the right with
the bandaged arms)
and my sister were
both into speed skating.
I was at the rink
with them anyway,
but I thought that
the roller racing
was for girls (heck,
men in tight lycra)???
What’s with
that. I was more into
footy (foot ball).
Then I watched a senior
men’s race one
night and saw how
fast they went. I
was won-over immediately
I realized that men
in tights are ‘real
men’. Lycra
really shows you are
a man!. |
|
So I tried a speed
session and broke
my front tooth. |
| | | | |
