SPORT'S FUTURE ON ICE IN `TEAM 2006' PROGRAM NOVICE EVENT BEGINNING OF BIG TIME FOR FIGURE SKATERS.Byline: Rich Hammond Rich Hammond Los Angeles Daily News sports writer. Instrumental in bringing the Los Angeles Kings hockey organization closer to the fans. He is the atypical "what a guy" to Kings fans everywhere. Rich Hammond on himself. Staff Writer Imagine if all the top minor-league players convened on one field to give baseball fans a glimpse of the future. This week at the Sports Arena and Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. , figure-skating fans not only can get a look at who they will be cheering for in next month's Winter Olympics, but also the possible American stars of the 2006 Games, as 151 skaters will compete at the junior and novice levels. The names Felicia Beck and Nicholas LaRoche Nicholas LaRoche (born July 29, 1983 in Gardner, Massachusetts) is an American figure skater. He was the 2002 US Junior National Champion. He is coached by Burt Lancon. He trains at the Toyota Training Center in El Segundo, California. don't match the star power of Michelle Kwan Michelle Wing Kwan (關穎珊) (born 7 July 1980) is an American figure skater and media celebrity who has won nine U.S. championships, five world championships, and two Olympic medals. and Tim Goebel, but that could change in four years, as Beck and LaRoche - two 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, skaters - seem to be ready to make an impact on the international skating scene. Among these skaters are 78 boys and girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. who began competition in the novice division Sunday at the Sports Arena. Most will be in their late teens in 2006, which makes the next four years crucial in their athletic and physical development. For that reason, for the past five years the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. Figure Skating figure skating Sport in which ice skaters, singly or in pairs, perform various jumps, spins, and footwork. The figure skate blade has a special serrated toe pick, or toe rake, at the front. Association and Chevrolet have sponsored the ``Team 2006'' program, a two-day regimen for novice skaters, who learn about ofce matters such as training and nutrition. ``This is the event where they really find out whether they are going to last long-term in figure skating,'' said Christy Krall, senior director of athlete programs for the USFSA USFSA US Figure Skating Association . The parallel with minor-league baseball can be extended. The youngest skaters start out on the novice level, and those who succeed move up to junior and senior levels. Those who do well this week can have serious Olympic aspirations, while those who don't fare as well may lower their expectations. Regardless, all 26 of the novice boys and girls are eligible to represent the United States in the North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. Challenge, a series of events held across the continent, and the top three from each division will go on to international competitions over the next year. It's the beginning of the big time for these skaters and their parents and coaches, which is why the USFSA created the ``Team 2006'' program. It runs Tuesday and Wednesday with seminars and a camp-like atmosphere to get the participants acquainted with each other. Of course, some of them already are. Three skaters in the men's novice competition, Jeremy Abbott, Evan Gibbs and Casey McCraw, all represent the Broadmoor Skating Club The Broadmoor Skating Club is a figure skating club based in Colorado Springs, Colorado that has long been a major training center for the sport of figure skating. Founded in 1939, it was originally known as the Pikes Peak Skating Club, and was based in the Broadmoor World Arena on in Colorado Springs, Colo. McCraw finished second in Sunday's short program. ``It gives us a lot of support, so that helps a lot,'' the 16-year-old McCraw said. ``We have a lot of quality coaches in Colorado Springs, and it helps us to compete against each other because we're always pushing each other to get better.'' The pressure of skating in a large arena can be daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin for the most experienced of skaters, but these teen-agers seem to take it all in stride. ``You just try not to think about it too much,'' said Waukegan, Ill., resident Natalie Mecher, who finished second in the ladies novice short program. TODAY'S SCHEDULE At Sports Arena 11 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Men's novice long program. 12:50-2:10 p.m.: Ladies' novice long program. 2:40-4:10 p.m.: Novice pairs long program. 4:40-6 p.m.: Novice dance free skate. At Staples Center 6:45-8:10 p.m.: Men's junior short program. 8:30-10:50 p.m.: Ladies' junior short program. TICKETS Sports Arena $20 all-day pass; Staples Center $25 night session. Available at the arena box offices. ON THE ICE Thousand Oaks resident Danielle Kahle will go for the gold in the ladies' novice long program, which is considered her specialty. The long program counts for two-thirds of the skaters' total score, so second-place Lisa Dannemiller and third-place Natalie Mecher are well within striking distance. Jason Wong of Boston will try to hold off Casey McCraw of Colorado Springs, Colo., in the men's novice long program. The juniors begin competition today with men's and ladies' short programs. Southern California's Nicholas LaRoche and Felicia Beck are among the contenders in the junior singles events. - Rich Hammond CAPTION(S): photo, 3 boxes Photo: no caption (Danielle Kahle) Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Box: (1) TODAY'S SCHEDULE (see text) (2) TICKETS (see text) (3) ON THE ICE (see text) |
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