 iSkateRiedell is a dynamic community of skaters just like you. If you share our passion for figure skating and count on Riedell to make the most of your moment on the ice, we'd love to hear your story. |
On Saturday Riedell skater, Blake Rosenthal, celebrated her birthday! Blake, who began skating at the age of 3, has had an impressive figure skating career—competing in ice dance, ladies and now pairs!
Happy Birthday Blake! We hope you had a great day!
The ISI World Recreational Team Championships are underway! This Friday Riedell fan favorite Rachael Flatt will take to the ice for the ISI Education Foundation Benefit Ice Show. The Benefit Show supports the ISIA Education Foundation, which grants scholarships for skaters attending college. Rachael will be presenting the scholarship winners at half time on Friday. Throughout the week, scouters will be searching for skaters from all levels to perform with Rachael! You can also enter a raffle drawing for your chance to perform on ice with Rachael.
Before the show, Rachael will be making an appearance at our Riedell booth! And don’t worry if you miss her before the show, you’ll have a chance to meet her at the post-show meet and greet taking place immediately after the Benefit Show. The location of the meet and greet with be announced on Friday evening. Black and white images of Rachael will be provided to attendees for Rachael to autograph.
We’ve also happily donated 10 autographed Rachael Flatt “iSkate Riedell” ads, 2 Riedell Zuca bags (signed by Rachael!) and a pair of custom Riedell boots. A raffle drawing will determine the winners of these great prizes! The Grand Prize winner will receive custom Riedell boots, a signed Riedell Zuca bag and a signed copy of Rachael’s ad.
Raffle tickets are $5 each for 5 tickets for $20.
Stop by our booth this week (you can’t miss us!), say hello and enter for your chance to win! Happy Skating!
Today we’re sending happy birthday wishes to Riedell Olympian Rachael Flatt! Since her Olympic debut in February, the 2010 US Champion has been keeping busy—she graduated from high school earlier this summer and got accepted to Stanford University (where she will be attending beginning fall 2011). And never one to be far from the ice, Rachael has been performing in ice shows across the country like Stars on Ice, Skate for Hope and Sun Valley! And for those of you attending the ISI World Team Championships in Massachusetts next week, you’ll have a chance to see Rachael perform on Friday evening. Check back later this week for more updates on the competition, including special events with Rachael!
Happy Birthday Rachael! We hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends!
While people across the United States are celebrating Independence Day, the folks at Riedell got to thinking, what was going on in the figure skating world while our Founding Fathers were signing the Declaration of Independence?
Great Britain was one of the most influential nations in the world. In fact, their influence on food, drink, language and sport are still felt by many. By the mid 18th century, figure skating had been around for quite awhile (archaeologists have found evidence of skating as far back as 3,000 B.C.!) and its popularity was growing in England and Europe as a recreational and artistic sport. By 1742, the first skate club opened in Edinburgh, Scotland. Only men were admitted to the club–and they had to prove their capabilities by passing a skate test where they performed a complete circle on either foot (a figure eight), and then jumped over hats–first one, then two and three–placed over each other on the ice. And remember, indoor rinks weren’t yet invented, so the Scottish club could only meet during the cold winter months.
As this was going on in the British Isle, British servicemen introduced a form of ice skating to their North American colony (us!) Skating at that time was much different than what we know now. The type of skating introduced to the United States was characterized by a straight back and more constrained movements.
And in 1772, just four years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Robert Jones published the first-ever instructional figure skating book, A Treatise on Skating.
So while you are watching fireworks and spending time outdoors, be sure to share this skating trivia with your family and skating friends! Happy 4th of July from your friends at Riedell!
Source: The Complete Book of Figure Skating by Carole Shulman
Riedell would like to wish fan-fav Johnny Weir a very happy birthday! The skater (and reality tv star & fashion icon) represented the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and most recently performed at the Skate for Hope charity in Columbus, Ohio. If there’s one thing Johnny is known for (besides his stellar skating and costume designs) it’s that he’s always on the go. We know we’ll be seeing a lot more of Johnny this year.
Happy Birthday Johnny! We hope you have a wonderful day!
Want more Johnny? Visit his website or follow @JohnnyGWeir on Twitter.
We first told you about the Point of Perfection camp in February. Now, spring has sprung and the Point of Perfection Camp is only weeks away! Located about 3 hours north of the Twin Cities in beautiful Northern Minnesota, the 2010 camp will be held June 13-19 at Breezy Point Resort. This year, skaters even have a chance to win a Zuca bag donated by Riedell (a proud partner of the camp for 9 years!)
Why go to a skate camp? You’ll learn from some of the best coaches in the world in a group setting or in a private lesson (private lessons are filling up fast!) Some of the great coaches you’ll work with this year include World and Olympic Coach, Kathy Casey, Master Rated Moves in the Field coaches Christine Binder and Brandon Forsyth, as well as Rosie Hanson, Amanda Truax and Director Barb Yackel.
As you participate in activities both on and off the ice throughout the week, you’ll be preparing for the Grand Finale Performance. The theme for this year’s Finale is “Music Melodies and Memories—Gliding Thru Decades of Music.” Campers staying the full week will have the chance to perform for Breezy Point Resort guests on Friday evening and again for their friends & family on Saturday morning!
Ready to point your skates north? Registration ends on June 1st. Click here to learn more or contact Camp Director Barb Yackel at yackelb@comcast.net.
Hours before Rachael made her debut performance at the Winter Games, NBC commentators noted that Rachael had been working on a school paper. While she probably would have been granted an extension on the assignment (at least we hope so!) Rachael heard how hard her peers were working and wanted to complete it on time as well. Her dedication to school is the same as her dedication to the sport she loves—completely unwavering. And her beautiful performances and 7th place finish were a great start to her growing skating career! Congratulations again, Rachael!
While Jeremy Abbott was disappointed in his performances at the Vancouver Games, we think his determination, grit and true sportsmanship (all things that make a great athlete) were apparent as he completed both his short and free skate programs. Jeremy’s amazing attitude and sportsmanship were clear as he cheered on his fellow skaters from the United States and around the globe on Twitter! (follow him @JeremyAbbottPCF) We think Jeremy truly embodied the Olympic spirit! Congrats, Jeremy!
Did you know that when Laura Lepisto of Finland finished 6th in Vancouver, she become the highest placing Finnish Olympic figure skater in history? She was also the highest placing Europe women’s figure skater at the Games. Laura paved the way to Finland (and Europe) at the Winter Olympics with her strong work ethic and desire to always do her best! Way to go Laura!
The past few years has seen new challenges emerge in competitive skating—spins are expected to be tighter, jumps need to be higher and look effortless, and skaters need to perform their routines at a faster pace. And while practice makes perfect, having great technology on your side will help skaters of all levels and ages reach a higher level of performance. Blade developers at HD Sports (makers of the World’s Best Blades, John Wilson and MK) in Sheffield, England recognize the need for a new blade technology and have designed the new Revolution blade.
The new Revolution blade was debuted on the Discovery Channel. Take a peek into how they are made (fast forward to around the 8:00 mark to see the blades in action)!
Examining various aspects of the blade—from heel lift to the radius of hollow (check out page 20 of our 2010 Catalog for definitions)—and incorporating new materials, HD Sports is scheduled to introduce the Revolution in the coming months.
So what makes the Revolution so revolutionary? Well for starters, it looks much different than traditional blades. It has a bridge structure to limit stresses (appearing very high tech!) It’s also developed with lighter material like carbon fiber, so it weights only 800 grams!
What do you think about the Revolution blade? And why do you choose Wilson or MK blades?