Mood:
coolNow Playing: Ice Skating Fall Fashion Preview & Visiting the Ice House
Greetings Everyone,
It's on now! Ice Skating season is here and to kick it off, next month at my Suite 101's Figure Skating Topic, Suite 101's Figure Skating Guide,
I'll roll out the best in this season's skating fashions and ice skates. Here's a sneak preview of Magda Miczak modeling a blue snakeskin skirt from Rosie Wear! To see more, click on Rosie's link to the lower left. I'll also cover some of the latest technology in ice blades. Truly the cutting edge of innovation! Two new blades will be featured. A brand new twist on John Wilson's Pattern 99's from Sheffield England and another patent pending blade from ISE of Canada. I'll also be reviewing Riedell's radically new 1500 HLS model boots. To get a peek, click on the Riedell Boots link on your lower left. If you scroll down on this page, that's me skating in them. Also up for review will be Klingbeil Boots which are currently used by Sasha Cohen (they performed well enough for a first place finish at the Campbell's Soup Classic) and helped Sarah Hughes win her 2002 Olympic Gold Medal. You won't want to miss this critique!
Coming up for this month's edition due out at the end of October are reviews of some of the top instructional skating videos around. Specifically the ISU's 4 Video Set which covers jumps, spins and pairs skating. Also Flipping Over Skating will be featured. Can't wait for the reviews? You can order these tapes and more by visiting Skatetape.com or click on their link to your lower left.
In preparation for this review, I had to take a trip to the Ice House in Hackensack, NJ. Their Pro Shop is so exclusive, you need an advanced appointment! One reason is that the Ice House is home to an elite group of competing skaters and their coaches. For example, just while visiting this week, I met Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev. You'll remember Naomi as the first Native American woman ice dancer. I spoke with Naomi and will include her interview and skating photos with my Suite 101 column. Whom else did I see? Well, I caught up to Robin Wagner teaching on the ice who is Sarah Hughes' coach. While having pizza we sat only a few feet away from Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman who took 5th place at the 2002 Olympics.
So what's the draw of the Ice House? First of all they have four sheets so you have enough room for Freestyle, Public, Hockey League and Ice Dancing all at once. The Zamboni is ever busy and they have some of the best ice anywhere. However the real gem is their Pro Shop which is world class. Jim Skibin has managed the Ice House Pro Shop since the rink opened nearly 5 years ago. Skibin has maintained and prepared all of the resident Olympian's skates including those of Sarah Hughes. He has also done work on occasion for Tara Lipinski, Brian Boitano and Oksana Baiul. So now Skibin maintains boots and blades for Team Miczak! My two daughters and me all skate and Skibin is the only one who touches our equipment, EVER. This is important when doing evaluations. If the same skate technician does all of the boots and blades, you know any differences are due to the skates themselves. The man is fantastically accurate, precise and fast. He has to be!
For more information on both Jim Skibin and Don Klingbiel whose boots I'll be testing, please click the Newsday Article Link to your left, "If the Skate Fits...."
I know you'll enjoy all the upcoming fall fashions, boot and blade reviews and hearing from ice dancer, Naomi Lang. Check back again soon and look for the November 25th issue of Suite 101's Figure Skating Guide. Most certainly something to be thanful for!
Warmest wishes,
Dr. Marie Miczak
Suite 101's Figure Skating Guide
PHOTO: Model, Magda Miczak, U.S. Figure Skating Assoc. member, Basic 4. Magda's boots are Jackson Elite Plus with Ultima Laser Cut Freestyle blades,(often compared to John Wilson Pattern 99's). Magda models both ice and ballet wear. She recently modeled Jackson-Ultima boots and blades at the 2003 USFSA / PSA Coach's Workshop in Hackensack, NJ.
Posted by Author
at 10:02 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, 22 October 2003 6:28 PM EDT
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Updated: Wednesday, 22 October 2003 6:28 PM EDT
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What will be covered? I will discuss products and equipment related to health, nutrition, beauty and exercise, specifically skating and dance. I've included an extensive chapter on Skating for Fitness in my upcoming book, The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide- Lotus Press Publishing which is scheduled for a 2004 release. I also will be teaching Inline Figure Skating for Fitness through Monmouth County Park System, Colts Neck, NJ October 25 th 2003 and again in the spring on May 22nd 2004. This is excellent cross training exercise and technique for ice skating all done on inline skates! Call (732)842-4162 ext. 1 to register or visit online