Its been a while.. the last I posted on this, I was heated.. and some situations annoyed me for a while, so I quit.. but I again feel that getting some of my thoughs on paper is good.. so.. here goes.. happy 2011!
This was my first trip to Seattle, and was for the 2011 Battle in Seattle. Mike Pattison and crew/family did a great job with the event, as I have heard a number of great things about the race in the past. First impressions were a very nice, big, clean rink, great staff, and an impressive amount of awards and pictures of National Champions on the walls! First look toward the floor, once in the building was that Mike keeps the big 90’ rotunda floor at Pattions west very smooth, fast and clean! Once I got on the floor for the event practice, it met my expectations of how it looked, very fast and tight. Practice was great, A few of us were testing the new Hyper wheels to see what was going to be the best combination, then it was time for them to start the NSC.
Before I write this, remember, this is my opinion, some feel the same, some don’t, so don’t take it to heart.
NSC 3(i think) for 2011 was great racing, missing some of the top guys, but none the less, great racing. There were falls, pushes, bumps, grabs, and upsets, all for what makes great spectator viewing. One of the guys that impressed me, as he always does, was Harry Vogel. He just came off the Ice, no real training/ skating on inlines, and he came out with a mission. He broke (killed) the NSC flying 100m time (he was later barley nudged out by Will Bowen for the win) and had some great finishes in all the races he skated too! Another impressive one was Jake Powers. After being on the ice all winter, he skated very good and as his nickname states, he snaked some points for some great finishes and the overall grand Champion. Overall, I think the Thursday night event was fun and had good racing, much like most invationals were before the NSC came about. That being said, I think that the fact that a lot of the NSC skaters don’t skate invitationals any more is bogus. I have heard (again my opinion) that they are asked not to skate the races, so that the NSC has the best and most exciting racing in the US. I think the NSC concept, much like its predecessor the NSL/US Cup that was done in the early 2000’s could be great for the sport, if done with the best interest of inline speed skating in mind (we all LOVE to do and watch it right?)
Now onto the main reason for the trip to Seattle, the Battle! Great racing was done this past weekend in the north-west, tons of talent is in this area, with no less than 8-10 teams within a very close area, and competition was great. A few races were very close, with some others having 1-2 skaters that were having a great event out in the front with a gap. Chyanna Moses impressed me in her races, so did Carol Pattison, she looked very strong. A few of the guys that stood out were Nathan Jackson and Brandon Hall that def showed up to race. Halfway through Division, I was asked to do a classic pick-a partner with a newer skater, named Bryan Lovelace. In talking to him, I learned he’s been skating about a year, and was a bodybuilder before taking up skating (knew little me was going to get a good push!!) In standing on the line, Bryan informed me he was kinda new at the relay thing, and he really had never done one in competition. I can’t lie, my first thoughts, ok… this is NOT going to be good! (lol) The first relay was a little hairy, but he caught on really quickly and we ended up finishing in 3rd, and personally, I think the race was a blast! Bryan is a super nice guy and glad I got the chance to race with him. Overall I ended up on the silver placement stand in senior men, but I think I got lucky (2nd in senior, me? I’m too old for that!!) In the open I got caught up in some traffic while the front guys were doing fliers, and it took its toll on my legs for the end, much the same in the Champions Race. I guess I need to get some longer outdoor training in huh?
I really enjoyed the Battle for my first time to the north-west, and hope to get back to the area soon. I met some new Skaters, made some friends, and saw a lot of people that I only see a few times a year. Thank you Mike for hosting, and the skaters for providing a great atmosphere!
God bless you all, and I for one am glad it’s getting warmer everywhere for some outdoor racing/training!
Jimmy Blair II
