ICE SKATERS TO RACE TODAY IN VALENCIA; ADMISSION IS FREE.Byline: Daily News VALENCIA - Some of the region's fastest ice skaters will race today in Valencia at the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Speed Skating speed skating Sport of racing on ice skates. The blade of the speed skate is longer and thinner than that of the hockey or figure skate. Two types of track are used in international competition. Short Track Championships. Divisions ranging from Tiny Tots (under 6) to Masters (over 60) will compete from 4:30 to about 7:30 p.m. at the Ice Station Valencia. ``This is a great opportunity for local sports fans to see one of the most exciting ice sports in the world up close and personal,'' said Ron Halcrow, president of the host and one of the sponsoring organizations, the Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, Speed Skating Club. ``We expect to have about 50 of the top short track speed skaters in Southern California competing.'' Short track speed skating Short track speed skating (also Shorttrack speedskating) is a form of competitive ice speed skating. In competitions, multiple skaters (typically between four and six) skate on an oval ice track with a circumference of 111.12 m. , which uses a 111-meter-circumference track, gained notoriety during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City last February, when Apolo Anton Ohno Apolo Anton Ohno (born on May 22, 1982) is an American short track speed skating competitor and a two-time gold medalist in the Winter Olympics. He also competed in and won the reality TV show, Dancing with the Stars in 2007. won a controversial gold medal for the U.S. over Kim Dong-Sung after the Korean was disqualified dis·qual·i·fy tr.v. dis·qual·i·fied, dis·qual·i·fy·ing, dis·qual·i·fies 1. a. To render unqualified or unfit. b. To declare unqualified or ineligible. 2. for skating into Ohno's lane. World-ranked competitors who have confirmed participation include Mark Chrysler and John Diemont, both of whom are masters national champions: Don Meramble, a Newhall resident and state champion in the 70-plus age group, and Santa Clarita Speed Skating club member Don Ness, 63, a state champion in his class. While Rusty Smith, 2002 Olympic bronze medalist in the 500- meter sprint, is a possibility. Local club member Tracy Northup, a retired national team member, will be an event official. Speed skaters can register for the event up to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call Ron Halcrow at (661) 286-1114. |
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