China - Part 7

ohhh mannnn, i have to say one of my new favorite people to watch race is the junior kid from china taipei, he is a FREAK! Also, justin mannon is hilarious! the dude came across the line last night tap dancing or something, haha it's funny because i can relate to the emotion that goes into races at worlds, especially the first few medals.

Erin jackson was a stud last night! i think she would have won the 500m last year on the track if she would have raced it how she did last night; she was fearless last night- she learned.

Keith was great in the relay heat, did exactly what he needed to do and helped get us into the final from a heat that was very hard.

Will was a G last night in the final. Skated very fast, composed, and had a big role in getting us the gold, as did cheex.

I didnt get to see all the races, so i may have left out someone, dont shoot me lol.

OHH i almost forgot, there's this dude that stands at this set of double glass doors that leads to the track from the ready area; his name must be st peter cause he considers himself 'the gate keeper'. The girls just finished racing so my group was warming up and the dude blocked me from going to the track saying im sorry im sorry and holding his arm up in front of me. With me speaking no chinese, him apparently not speaking any english other than the 2 words he just keeps repeating, i logically removed his arm and tried to proceed forward and i almost made it... but... he must have realized how much he liked me because he gave me a hug from the back... a bear hug, picked me up and everything. I said, whoa buddy, i know im handsome, but i dont swing that way, and gave him an elbow to the chin, he put me down and i went to the track haha. Everyone standing around was kind of surprised that these guys are taking their shitty job so seriously; i think he forgot that if it werent for the athletes there wouldnt be a world championships and he wouldnt even have the opportunity to make his 3 dollars an hour. Anyway, after a little chin music, he didnt give me any more trouble the rest of the night.

to date...

12 Junior Titles

23 Senior Titles

4 existing World Records

Those accomplishments wouldn't have been possible without a few people. Mom and Dad first, they were the best parents a kid like me could have asked for, showing complete selflessness when it came to my skating; the sacrifices they made can never be repaid, but im going to try one day. Renee Hildebrand is the best inline skating coach in the world; her passion and knowledge makes her second to none in my book. She took me from a rink rat to a world champion and i didn't even know she was doing it until it happened. My sponsors over the years: Stalker boots (george stalker), Bandit boots (jeff snow), Kerjean (bernard kerjean), Verducci (luigino verducci, doug glass), Hyper (jon elliott), Luigino (luigino verducci, doug glass). VERY special thanks to Dave Simmons for staying up ALL NIGHT making me a boot in 24 hours and overnighting it to me about 4 weeks ago, that guy is incredible. There is a list a mile long of people who have in some way helped me along the way; chris tidwell, dave downing, linda wood, charlie lucas, i know im forgetting a ton, im sorry, but you know who you are and i sincerely appreciate it.