Subject:      Inline Skating World Records Fall in San Francisco
From:         David G. Miles jr.
Date:         1999/11/02
Newsgroup:    rec.sport.skating.racing


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DAVID G. MILES JR.
phone    415-752-1978
e-mail    CAblader@ix.netcom.com
web page  http://www.cora.org
Pictures at:  http://www.sfpix.com
 
Nov. 1, 1999
 
(this is a preliminary report on the inline skating world record
attempts made on Halloween weekend '99 in San Francisco.
These results are not yet official, but soon will be.)
 
SKATING WORLDS RECORDS SHATTERED IN SAN
FRANCISCO  
 
Every sport has its heroes.  Sometimes these heroes can bring
their sports to the forefront of the national sports scene like Brandi
Chastain of U. S. Women's Soccer Team or Lance Armstrong, the
postal worker who won the Tour de France after a battle with
testicular cancer.
 
On Halloween weekend in San Francisco, inline skaters
witnessed the birth of some new heroes for the sport of super
marathon distance skating. The event took place at the Golden
Gate Oval at the Polo Fields in San Francisco's Golden Gate
Park. Eight skaters took to the track to break the 24 hour, 12 hour,
6 hour and 100 kilometer records that now stand in the Guinness
Book of World Records.
 
Kent Baake from Washington D.C. along with Sandy Snakenberg
of San Francisco went for the 24 hour record. Kent, who skates
with the Washington Area Rollerskaters has been skating for only
about 2 years.  He had a great crew and his plan was a good
one.  However, after nearly 20 hours on the track battling knee and
nutrition problems, Kent was unable to continue.  Sandy
Snakenberg was battling some of the same demons, but was able
to conquer them and come blazing through setting a new 24 hour
record skating nearly 316 miles.
 
The 12 hour record was obliterated by Dan Burger of Berkeley
Ca. He skated nearly 191 miles. Not only that, but in the process
of going for the 12, he may have smashed the 6 hour record by
skating just over 105 miles. Please stay tuned
 
Eric Kraan, a Dutch ice speedskater from Texas and Dana Eads
from San Diego also skated for the 6 hour record and put up a
valiant efforts. Eric did not break the record, but Dana may have.
Please stay tuned. 
 
Jamie Johnson is a strong skater that skates local events like the
Napa to Calistoga Roadskate and the San Francisco Friday Night
Skate.  When he heard about the world record challenge, he
thought he would try to break the 100 kilometer record. Things
were great at first, but as time went on, Jamie hit "the wall".  His
body just stopped.  It was a gradual degeneration of the ability, the
skills and the stamina to skate on.  The will was there all the way. 
Afterward, Jamie took off his skates and volunteered to helped the
event continue all night long.
 
Both women in the event came through like the true champions
they are.  Nikki Diamondtopolos set a new 6 hour womens world
record at about 92 miles.  Just a few weeks ago Nikki won the 85
mile Athens to Atlanta Race.  On the road or on the track. Nikki
has really established herself and her abilities.
 
Alice Eads was not there just to skate with Dana.  She had her
sights set on the Masters 6 hour world record. She was not about
to let all the youngsters steal the day.  Alice rolled in establishing a
new Masters 50+ record coming in at 78.4 miles.  
 
The event was a great success.  The California Outdoor
Rollerskating Association was honored to host this event.
Johnathan Seutter, the event organizer along with Steve Novak
and Jon Lowden did a great job organizing. Skates on Haight, the
Bay Area Inline Racers and Tully's Coffee, need and deserve a
big pat on the back for a job well done. The real stars were the
support crews both for the athletes and the event volunteers.  This
was a great example of a community of skaters coming together.  
 
Big thanks to Sandy Lee and the San Francisco Recreation and
Parks Dept.  This was the first event held in Golden Gate Park that
went past the 10:00 P.M. closing time.  Thanks for giving skating
the opportunity to move forward to a bright future.
 
D. Miles Jr.