2013 WFSC World Champs UNCENSORED

For more journalistic write-ups on the competition itself, check out the REPORT TRILOGY on worldslalomseries.com by yours truly:

• 2013 WFSC DAY 1: Speed Slalom & Pair Classic
• 2013 WFSC DAY 2: Freestyle Classic
• 2013 WFSC DAY 3: Freestyle Battle
• 2013 WFSC DAY 4: Slides & Medals SOON
  

MIXING WITH THE ARTISTIC WORLDS

speaker to the left of me, stage to the right,
here I am, stuck in the middle with food ♫

The 7th WFSC were held in Taipei from November 5 to 8, 2013, at the second level of an arena also hosting the 58th WORLDS of ARTISTIC SKATING at the first level. We were treated to a common OPENING CEREMONY, or should I say : We were tolerated, on our third day of competition, to attend the Artistic's opening ceremony, which was convenient as we added national flags to their list of participating countries. All the freestyle banners had been previously removed and no freestyle VIP was invited to get on the stage where were sitting the Artistic officials.

We also had the opportunity of sharing a COMMON BUFFET at dinner on our first day of

competition... which turned into a shameless (or shameful, depending on the end you place yourself) karaoke night for artistic skating VIPs. The least to say is that the shock of cultures was hardcore. Nevertheless, it was an interesting insight into the various levels of socially acceptable behaviours according to the different cultures. More practically, having to endure 60-year-olds bellowing Asian songs out of tune and wiggling on a stage 2 meters from me and my plate tends to put me off my food.

BCRD A Team Try-Outs

It must have been planned for weeks and posted all over podio, but I only learnt about it last week: on Saturday there were the A-Team Try-Outs. OMG do we have to register? Did I miss the dead-line? Nope, just show up. The training will be closely observed by coaches Master Blaster, Bee Fattal and Daniel.

Until now the selections were based on continuous assessment along the preceding months only. The tryouts completing that assessment were (re)implemented for the first time for that season.

A dozen of players showed up to try their luck. The training was divided into three parts and felt a bit like a SUPERADVANCED MINIMUM SKILLS TEST. The agility skills were actually more challenging and more complete than those required for the Team France Try-Outs.

FMyLife #12: Jammed Finger

 

Fate had it that I was having this conversation yesterday at lunch, watching volleyball on TV, about me not being into ball sports, because when I was a kid and teenager I was a violonist (like for real) and couldn't take the risk of jamming a finger...

 

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED AT THE EVENING DERBY SESSION?

I ran my straight finger into a random back during scrimmage. *and on try-out day*

FML.

BCRD Private Workshop w/ Bonnie Thunders & OMG WTF

WHAT A GREAT COME BACK SURPRISE!

Not being very familiar with the PODIO platform used by Bear City Roller Derby to communicate within the league, I'm very often (always) missing points, small or big... Fortunately, I also have concerned friends who help me out!

Explaining my upcoming Team France / World Championship 15-day trip to one of them, the day before I left, she pointed out that I would be back just on time to enjoy Bonnie and OMG. Wait, you got me lost, here. What?

This is how I learned that there would be a (free!) private BCRD workshop on the Saturday and Sunday following my return, i.e. 5+4=9 hours of Gotham coaching. Groovy!

Team France Training Oct.30-Nov.3 2013

A lot of water has already passed under the bridge although it has hardly been 10 days since the end of that very first training of the 2013 Team France of Roller Derby. At least for me who had a hectic and exotic 10-day break at the other end of the world for a very different matter: judging the 7th World Freestyle Skating Championships which were held in Taipei this year, immediately followed by an intense 4-day meeting with the WSSA Technical Committee for a complete review and update of the freestyle ruleset. This trip to Taiwan will be the subject of another blog entry. Let's get back to the topic in hand: The FIRST training of the NEW VERSION of the FRENCH TEAM.