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2007 California State Short Track Speedskating Championships
Press Release

If you were one of the millions of viewers who watched U.S. short track speedskater Apolo Ohno and his team mates in their thrilling competition at the Winter Olympics, you might be interested to know that San Jose has its own short track speedskating competition, the 2007 California State Short Track Speedskating Championships, February 10th and 11th. This year presented by the Northern California Speedskating Association. http://www.norcalspeedskating.org

Contact
Tom Carney, Pres. NCSA
Europa7t@aol.com
1-650-302-1350

2007 State Championship Events Schedule

Date Event Venue
Saturday Warn Up 9:30 to 10:30 PM Logitech Ice
Reception 5:45 PM Nick’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
354 E. Santa Clara St.
____________________________________________________________________
February 11, 2007 – Races 9:00 AM Logitech Ice
Sunday Awards Brunch 1:00 PM Logitech Ice Restaurant

Logitech Ice
1500 South Tenth Street
San Jose, California 95112
408.279.6000

Calif. State Championship History
The State Championships have been held for eighteen years, switching between Northern California
one year and Southern California the next. This event has always been used as a tune-up for the US
Nationals which will be held in Cleveland, OH, February 22nd through 25th this year. In the past, some
world class and Olympic skaters have competed in the California State Championships. Rusty Smith and
Maria Garcia, for examples, who are both from So Cal, and are on the national team which competes
worldwide representing the USA. Nor Cal hasn’t had an Olympic competitor, but in John Diemont we do
have a Record Holder in all four distances in the Masters 50-59 age groups. He holds four US National
and four North American records.

Calif. State Championship Overview

The races will be structured in the same format that U.S. Speedskating organizes the National
Championships. There are eleven age classes for both men and women. Starting with a demo race for
“Pony” which is 10 years or younger, up thru Master 70+. Depending on the number of entries, some age
groups, men and women, may race together. This is always interesting because the older skater
competing with a younger skater makes for some exciting racing. Experience sometimes wins out over
youth and exuberance! Having competitors from the Southern California Speed Skating Association is a
chance for us to renew old friendships and to see how we match up. Southern California has a reputation
for developing National and Olympic champions. See their web site:

http://www.socalspeedskating.org/scssa.htm

All events will be structured to maximize the enjoyment of the competing athletes and their families and
friends, as well as fans of short track speedskating.

Article

If you were one of the millions of viewers who watched U.S. short track speedskater Apolo Ohno and his teammates in their thrilling competition at the Winter Olympics, you might be interested to know that San Jose has its own short track speedskating competition, the 2007 California State Short Track Speedskating Championships, February 10th and 11th. It is presented this year by the Northern California Speedskating Association.

The State Championships have been held for eighteen years, switching between Northern California one year and Southern California the next. This event has always been used as a tune-up for the US National Championships; these will be held in Cleveland, OH, February 22nd through 25th this year. In the past, some world class and Olympic skaters have competed in the California State Championships. Rusty Smith and Maria Garcia, for example, are both from So Cal, and are on the national team which competes worldwide representing the USA. Nor Cal hasn’t had an Olympic competitor, but in John Diemont we do have a Record Holder in all four distances in the Masters 50-59 age group. He holds four US National and four North American records. Another competitor to watch will be Janet Chang a 16 year old, from Palo Alto, a student attending Gunn High School. She competes in track also, and is an avid bike rider. Another skater that should not be missed is Zack Fuller a student at Delta College in Stockton. He and his younger brother Tim should really give the guys from Southern California a run for their money.

The races will be structured in the same format that U.S. Speedskating organizes the National Championships. There are eleven age classes for both men and women. Starting with a demo race for Pony which is 10 years or younger, up thru Master 70+. All competitors race in four distances depending on their age group. For instance John Diemont holds the record in the 500, 777, 1000 and 1500 meter distance. Janet, Zack and Tim will compete, within their age groups, in 500, 1000, 1500 and 3000 meter distances. The track is a 111.12 meter oval. The number of entries may necessitate that some age groups, men and women, race together. This is always interesting because the older skater competing with a younger skater makes for some exciting racing. Experience sometimes wins out over youth and exuberance! Having competitors from the Southern California Speed Skating Association is a chance for us to renew old friendships and to see how we match up. Southern California has a reputation for developing National and Olympic champions. See their web site: http://www.socalspeedskating.org/scssa.htm. All these races will be structured to maximize the enjoyment of the competing athletes and their families and friends, as well as fans of short track speedskating. The NCSA invites anyone who enjoyed the excitement of the Olympic Short Track racing on TV, to come to San Jose and see it live.

Northern California Speedskating Association is a non-profit, charitable organization (IRS 501c3)