UDFSC University of Delaware Figure Skating Club
April 2001 Newsletter


* What a year! * Upcoming Test Sessions * Nervous about testing? * Dorothy Hamill to headline Ludington tribute show at UD April 22 * Ice Arena Facility News * Collegiate Skating Spectacular * Synchronized Team Skating Try-outs * Welcome New Members * Judges' School * UDFSC Board Elections * 2001 Summer School * Board Elections at the Pond * Summer is Coming -- Keep Your Address Up-To-Date * Used Skating Clothing Sale * Upcoming Events * Recent Test Results * Club Ice * Flexibility tips for figure skaters * Recent International Results * Recent Regional and National Results * Newsletter Comments *


What a year!

Congratulations to UDFSC competitors, all of who had a great showing in the 2000-01 skating season. I was privileged to be part of the audience in Boston at the U.S. Nationals where it seemed like I heard, at almost every event, "and representing the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club ..." What a thrill! At Junior Worlds, there were skaters from the UDFSC competing in every event. And, of course, our kudos to our World competitors Tiffany Scott and Philip Dulebohn who represented us well. We sent 4 teams to the National Synchronized Skating Championships. And, our Club also has scholastic stars with two members being selected for the USFSA Scholastic Honors team. The Club commends you for your achievements - we couldn't be prouder!

Alice Rakowski, UDFSC President


Upcoming Test Sessions

The following test sessions are scheduled. If you plan to test, be sure to get your application in by the deadlines listed below, as these sessions are likely to fill quickly. Applications must be in the lockbox by 5:00 p.m. on the application due dates below.

Test Date Application Due Date
Fri., April 13, 2001 Application due 03/30/01
Sun., May 20, 2001 Application due 05/04/01
Fri., June 29, 2001 Application due 06/15/01
Fri., July 27, 2001 Application due 07/13/01
Fri., Aug. 24, 2001 Application due 08/10/01


Nervous about testing?

Test sessions are open and there is no admission charge to observe them. If you will be testing soon and have not done so before, feel free to come and observe a test session. This may help to relieve some anxiety about how the test session runs. We want you to do your best on test day.


Dorothy Hamill to headline Ludington tribute show at UD April 22

Skating superstar Dorothy Hamill, 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist, will headline the Ron Ludington Fund Ice Skating Show scheduled at 5 p.m., Sunday, April 22, at the University of Delaware.

Tickets for the event, to be held in the Fred Rust Ice Arena, Route 896, Newark, are $15 for the general public and $12 for senior citizens and youth ages 12 and under.

Tickets are on sale now at University of Delaware box offices at the Bob Carpenter Center, Routes 4 and 896, and the Trabant University Center, Main Street and South College Avenue, both in Newark, and through Ticketmaster.

More information can be found on the web at www.udel.edu/PR/NewsReleases.

Beth Thomas, UD Public Relations


Ice Arena Facility News

The University of Delaware Ice Arenas will not be closing this summer for any maintenance-related issues. The ice surface in the Fred Rust Ice Arena was installed in June 2000 and the ice surface in the gold ice arena was installed in August 2000.

This winter new radiant heaters were installed over the bleacher seating areas in the Fred Rust Ice Arena. These heaters are designed to keep the temperature over the seating area comfortable for our patrons.

Finally, both Zambonis in the Fred Rust Ice Arena and the Gold Ice Arena now use natural gas, which is cleaner burning fuel than the old gas powered Zambonis the University owned. The indoor area quality has improved since we have been operating with the new Zambonis. We continue to monitor the indoor air quality of the areas on a monthly basis.

Jim Kaden, Ice Arenas Manager, www.udel.edu/icearena


Collegiate Skating Spectacular

The Collegiate Skating Spectacular will be held on April 29th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Fred Rust Ice Arena and will showcase some of the University's most dedicated collegiate skating athletes. This show promises to have an assortment of fun and exciting individual exhibitions as well as a few group performances, including a finale. Come support the University of Delaware's Collegiate Figure Skating Club fresh off their second-place finish at the 2001 Collegiate Team Nationals. For more information, call Cindy Hsieh on (302) 837-8909. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

Cindy Hsieh, PR for the UDCFSC


Synchronized Team Skating Try-outs

Interested in trying out for the UDFSC synchronized skating teams? Synchronized skating is a choreographed routine skated in unison by 12-24 team members. Teams are assembled by skill level and USFSA age restrictions. Come out and see what it is about! Contact the UDFSC on (302) 831-4686 or write to us at ud-fsc@udel.edu .


Welcome New Members

Please welcome our newest UDFSC members:

Holly Alexander Hope Alexander Maria Baiocco
Molly Bennett Kerry Brand Sarah Brown
Lauren Fehr Megan Feliceangeli Lisa Fontana
Colleen Gendron Katherine Hadford Heather Hartough
Taryn Hartzell Sarah Kennard Kayla Lane
Eve Lowicki Eric Pickert Sarah Bennett Richmond
Kate Snedeker Alison Straub Rachel Sun
Nicole Tarantino Zima Rose


Judges' School

There will be a judge's school on June 23-24, 2001, hosted by Wissahickon Skating Club for eleven levels of dance test judging. For more information, e-mail ajadler@attglobal.net or call (610) 664-5866.

If you are interested in attending judges' school, the UDFSC may be able to offer some financial assistance. Write to us at ud-fsc@udel.edu or call (302) 831-4686. Information on judging is available at the USFSA web site at www.usfsa.org.


UDFSC Board Elections

Look for your ballot at the beginning of May and please cast your vote to fill the 4 open positions on the UDFSC Board of Directors. Terms are for three years for those who are elected.


2001 Summer School

Join us for Summer School from June 4 - August 24, 2001. The University of Delaware Ice Skating Science Development Center is a year-round training facility designed to meet the needs of first time competitors and Olympic champions alike.

Coaching is available from the most recognized National and International coaches in the sport of figure skating. The University faculty works closely with world and Olympic coaches to advance the body of knowledge in figure skating through cooperative efforts. They provide students with the most up-to-date training program available.

Send in your application as soon as possible! Ice Arena, Training Center, and Summer Camp information is available on the web at www.udel.edu/icearena or by writing ud-skating@udel.edu.


Board Elections at the Pond

The following members were recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the UDFSC at The Pond:
Lanette Clendaniel Monica Dabney Sunday Haffen
Lydia Hazeltine Charlie Quesenberry


Summer is Coming -- Keep Your Address Up-To-Date

Please keep the club advised of your address and phone number changes. It is important that we be able to reach you regarding USFSA issues, your membership and general communications. If you have address or phone changes, please call (302) 831-4686 and leave a message with the change.


Used Skating Clothing Sale

A used skating clothing sale will be held at the Pond on Saturday, April 28th, from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. Questions may be addressed to Monica Dabney at (302) 234-2486.


Upcoming Events

April 5-8, 2001 World Synchro Championships
April 13, 2001 UDFSC test session
April 22, 2001 Ludington Tribute show at UD
April 25-29, 2001 Adult Championships
April 28, 2001 Used Clothing Sale at the Pond
April 29, 2001 Collegiate Skating Spectacular
May 10-12, 2001 2001 Governing Council
May 20, 2001 UDFSC test session
June 4, 2001 Summer Training begins
June 23-24, 2001 Judges School
June 29, 2001 UDFSC test session
July 27, 2001 UDFSC test sessionn
Aug. 24, 2001 UDFSC test session
Jan, 6-13, 2002 U.S. Championships in LA


Recent Test Results

Congratulations to the following UDFSC members who passed the following tests held recently at UD.

Molly Bennett - Pre-Prelim. Moves and Freestyle
Kristin Dross - Rocker Foxtrot
Torsten Joerger - Intermediate Freestyle
Karen Matthes - Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues
Terri Mauro - 14 Step
Katewatson Prins - Juvenile Freestyle
Robyn Ross - Pre-Preliminary Moves
Kate Snedaker - Pre-Prelim. and Prelim. Moves
Zachary Varraux - 14 Step
Kathy Watts - Hickory Hoedown


Club Ice

Join us on Sundays, except holiday weekends, in the Rust Ice Arena as follows:

5:00 - 5:45 p.m. dance preferred session
5:45 - 6:30 p.m. freestyle preferred session

The cost to UDFSC members is $9.00 per session or you may purchase a ticket for $70.00, which reduces the cost to $7.00 per session.

Club ice is also available at the Pond on Saturdays from 9:40-10:40 a.m. at a cost of $9.00.


Flexibility tips for figure skaters

Flexibility is defined as the body's ability to move through a normal range of motion. Regular flexibility training has been shown to reduce injuries if done properly. Potential for injury can be decreased if flexibility training is learned and incorporated into a figure skater's everyday routine.

Inflexibility is a concern in figure skating because strenuous training and weight training can cause muscle tightness. Muscle groups that are commonly inflexible in figure skaters include the hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, adductors, and lower back. These areas of the body need to be stretched more frequently.

Taking the time to stretch correctly can increase flexibility. It is important that a 5 to 7 minute warm-up is done prior to any stretching session. A good warm-up would be riding a bicycle, jogging or jumping rope. Risk of injury will be decreased and performance will be enhanced if flexibility is improved.

It is important to stretch correctly to increase flexibility. The correct method is a relaxed, sustained stretch. It should not include bouncing or jerking movements. Also, stretching should not cause pain. Painful stretching can cause injury to the athlete.

A figure skater should never over stretch in the beginning of a workout. Muscles have receptors that automatically contract when it has been stretched too far, too fast. This protects the muscle from injury. You need to hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds then relax. The muscle should then be stretched a little further and held for the same amount of time. The figure skater should ease off a stretch if pain or muscle tightening occurs. Repeat each stretch 3 to 4 times.

Skaters should relax when stretching and remember to warm-up before beginning any athletic activity. Stretching after the completion of any exercise is also very important.

Jeff Schneider, Certified Athletic Trainer and UD Strength and Conditioning Coach


Recent International Results

Congratulations to the following UDFSC competitors. If you competed in an international event that is not listed, please let us know by calling (302) 831-4686 or writing to us at ud-fsc@udel.edu.

World Junior Figure Skating Championships
Feb. 26 - March 3, 2001, Sofia, Bulgaria

LADIES
Sara Wheat, 10th place

MEN
Johnny Weir, 1st place

ICE DANCE
Lydia Manon (associate member) & Michel Klus, 14th place
Kendra Goodwin & Chris Obzansky, 15th place

PAIRS
Deborah Blinder & Jeremy Allen, 5th place

2001 World Figure Skating Championships
March 19-25, 2001, Vancouver, Canada

PAIRS
Tiffany Scott & Philip Dulebohn, 11th place


Recent Regional and National Results

Congratulations to the following UDFSC competitors. Medallists are noted. If you competed in an event that is not listed, please let us know by calling (302) 831-4686 or writing to us at ud-fsc@udel.edu.

2001 U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships
March 13-18, 2001, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Diamondaires Adult Team
Diamonds Masters Team
Skating Edge Senior Team
Precisionaires Collegiate Team, 4th place

Princeton Intercollegiate -- Feb. 17, 2001

UD Collegiate Club, 2nd place

MIT Intercollegiate -- Feb. 24, 2001

UD Collegiate Club, 2nd place

2001 Eastern Adult Sectional
March 9-11, 2001, Wilmington, DE

Anne Kennard

Garden State Classic -- March 24, 2001

Ducklings Youth Intro. Team, 1st place
Silver Swans Teen Team, 2nd place
Delaware Dazzle Adult Intro. Team, 3rd place


Newsletter Comments

Feel free to send comments regarding this newsletter to ud-fsc@udel.edu or leave a message at (302) 831-4686.


UDFSC home
University of Delaware Figure Skating Club
Fred Rust Ice Arena, South College Ave., Newark, DE 19716
Phone: (302) 831-4686 * FAX: (302) 831-2812
ud-fsc@udel.edu