"And a good time was had by all"
There were skaters from Illinois, Michigan and Virginia. It was about half ice skaters and half roller skaters. Three USARS judges made a special effort to ask to be invited back next year. One said it was better than they expected. The team of skaters and coaches from Haiti had U.S. visa problems and fought to the last minute, but didn't make it.
I had to serve as Meet Director, initial tabulator, camera man for 2 afternoons and Sunday for the Seminar and was otherwise quite busy. We started 45 minutes late due to needing proper forms printed and some clarifications. I'm still busy with paperwork. Next year we will be ready. We learned a lot.
There will be more details including an article in Roller Skating Magazine. The Seminar was quite productive also with both presentations and floor work. The Slalom skating was a hit and looks like a good match for us.
The rink definitely wants us back. After next year we will move it around, probably first to California and then have a Chicago Open besides the U.S. Open.
Some videos will be posted, but we want to make some money to fund marketing for next year's event, so the complete set will be sold.
Joe Kaplenk, Chair
U.S. Open Inline Chicago 2009
http://usopeninline.com
EVENT TITLE
PLACE NAME CLUB
Freeskate Elementary Boys Inline
1 Benjamin Kletzli Riverside Artistic Club
Freeskate Elementary Girls
1 Morgan Hall East End Skating Club
Open A Inline Creative solo Free Dance (13+)
1 Joe Kaplenk USA Skate Center
Open B Inline Creative Solo Free Dance (12-)
1 Morgan Hall East End Skating Club
2 Mallory Hall East End Skating Club
Interp/Silver Gold
1 Phyllis E. McKenzie Frederick Figure Skating Club
2 Mallory Hall East End Skating Club
3 Morgan Hall East End Skating Club
4 Heidi Kletzli Riverside Artistic Club
Freeskate Bronze Ladies
1 Ladeene Freimuth None
Freeskate Bronze Men
1 Joe Kaplenk USA Skate Center
Freeskate Gold Teen
1 Phyllis McKenzie Frederick Figure Skating Club
2 Heidi Kletzli Riverside Artistic Club
Beginner Solo Dance
1 Morgan Hall East End Skating Club
2 Mallory Hall East End Skating Club
Artistic Pre-Teen & Teen
1 Phyllis McKenzie Frederick Figure Skating Club
2 Khary Armstrong Riverside Artistic Club
3 Heidi Kletzli Riverside Artistic Club
Family Show
1 Kletzli Family Riverside Artistic Club
Survivor Bronze
1 Morgan Hall East End Skating Club
2 Mallory Hall East End Skating Club
Basic Racing
1 Aleem Talib Fairfax, VA
2 Joe Kaplenk USA Skate Center
Interpretive Adult
1 Aleem Talib Fairfax VA
Basic Skill Elements
1 Aleem Talib Fairfax, VA
Artistic Adult
1 Aleem Talib Fairfax, VA
Free Skate Gold Men
1 Khary Armstrong Riverside Artistic Club