100 Mile skate - Rosh-Hanikra to Tel-Aviv

Five skaters, myself included took advantage of the closed roads during "Yom-Kippur" and skated from Rosh-Hanikra to Tel-Aviv. I continued to Rehovot, setting a new Israeli continuous skate recored at 100 Miles (160 Km).
Watch the video:

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21K race in Jeonju, Korea

Today was the much anticipated 21K race - the peak of the 5th annual Jeonju International Skating Festival.
When we arrived, the atmosphere was amazing. The amount of skaters was incredible, and even more surprising was the fact that nearly all of them had speed boots and skinsuits.

As part of the Foreign group, we got to start at the very front of the pack, alongside the local champions.

I had a great start, and hung on to the pack. After I got comfortable, I started joining in attacks, and improving my position. At first I was shifting around within the first 20 skaters.

As opposed to my competitions at the Worlds - this time I was in a pack of skaters with similar ability to mine, and was able to hold my ground among the leaders. This being the first time I was truly in a high level pack - every second was a valuable lesson.

I learned a lot about how to join the paceline properly, how to prevent people from cutting in front of me, when to rest, when to attack and how to anticipate attacks. Gavin Pullocks advice of using the momentum of a skater pushing you from behind to initiate an attack was especially useful. During the downhill sections the pack would really compress, and if you chose the right moment - you could slingshot out right in to 5th place or so, on the push offs momentum alone.

15 Kilometers into the race, the pack seemed to accelerate (or I might have lost power) and I began to lose it. I tried to catch a few attacking groups and get back in the game, but only ended up zig-zagging along the track and losing more power.

After a minute or so on my own, I fount a "late train" and joined in, keeping the pace, and sometimes leading until the last kilometer, where we all broke out into a sprint.

 All and all, it was a great race, and I learned a lot. I think I finished 30th or so, clocking about 36 minutes for the 21K (average speed of nearly 35). Official results are not yet in, but I'll be sure to update when they are.

After the race, we toured the local expo, and saw the Style-Slalom finals - which were amazing. There was also a friendly slide and jump competition - those guys had moves!

Pictures and videos will come soon.
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Korean culture and track races

This morning our hosts took us for a tour of Jeonju and the nearby area, in order to sample some local culture. First we visited a Buddhist temple just outside the city - it was absolutely amazing. be sure to check out the pictures.

Next we had lunch in a Korean restaurant - they seem to be very fond of "do-it-yourself" type meals. We had raw beef, vegetables, noodles and seasoning served to us on a metal plate, and then cooked on a gas stove installed right in the middle of the table. The food is very odd (acorn jelly - need I say more?), but also very tasty.

After lunch, we toured the "Korean cultural experience" and saw traditional housing, made Hanji (hand made paper), learned about Korean medicine and visited the last emperors grandsons residence.

Finally, we head out to the skating track. Located outdoors, in a large sports center, and alongside a hockey rink - we found a beautiful 200m banked track. After a short skate, we found that it was a bit bumpy, but nevertheless had great grip.

Roi decided not to risk injury on the banked track and decided not to race today. I, on the other hand, raced for 500m, 1,000m and 3,000m Elimination.

500m
I had a bad start, and couldn't catch up. I spent the entire race (all 2.5 laps of it...) trying to get back in the pack rather unsuccessfully. I burned out during the last lap and finished last and far behind.

1,000m
This time I had a good start, stayed 3rd or fourth for a few laps, and managed to take the lead for the 4th lap. While I led for nearly the whole lap, I didn't notice the attack brewing behind me, just before we started the 5th and final lap, the whole pack just whooshed by me. By the time I got my act together and accelerated, I was left fighting for 5th place.

3,000m Elimination
By far my best race. I got into the center of the pack right from the start, and kept my position for a long time. at some point I started fading back - but managed to sprint up to 8th place or so. Unfortunately I was unable to cement that achievement, and was quickly pushed back to the rear of the pack. After about 7 laps, the back of the pack began to thin out, and elimination became a real threat. I lasted for three or four more laps, until finally losing an elimination lap sprint to a skater that was behind me.
All in all I had good races. Roi caught everything on Video, and I even recorded my point of view with a helmet camera. I'll be sure to post the videos soon. It was really great to get some more pack experience - I'm sure it will help me in my upcoming races.

It's very late, and the half marathon tomorrow is early in the morning, so the rest of the pictures and videos will have to wait... be sure to check back tough!
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Opening Ceremony

Tonight was the opening ceremony of the Jeonju Inline Festival. There were quiet a few guests of honor, including the Mayor of Jeonju. All the international delegates were presented - China, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), India, Great Britian, France and of course Roi and I from Israel. We were personally introduced to the Mayor, and recived a small gift from the federation. The interviews were not to late to come.

During the coming days we will compete at 500m, 1000m and 3,000m track races. a 21K road race and will watch the Slalom and Hockey competitions. I'm preparing an extensive video report, wich will probably be prepared a few days after my return to Israel.
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Toto, I don't think we're in Incheon anymore...

After landing in Incheon, were were greeted by a very courteus Mr. Kan. The latter informed us that the event we came to participate in will not take place in Incheon as we thought, but rather in nearby Jeonju. Just how nearby? a four hour "express" bus ride away...

Finally, after over 24 hours in transit, we arrived in Jeonju. The local federation greeted us with open hands, treating us to lunch, and hooking us up with the event organizers. We were later chauferred to our hotel - the Jeonju Riviera, wich is quite nice.

Tonight there will be the official dinner and opening ceremony, tomrrow there will be slalom qualifications and track races. Roi and I will probably participate in the track races as well. In two days we will race the Half marathon, the race we travelled so far to participate in.
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En-route to Incheon

Roi and I just landed in Bangkok, Thailand. En route to Incheon, Korea where we will be participating in a skating festival and marathon - courtesy of Gyro Wheels and Endless-Roll Israel.

The event is part of the KIC - Korea Inline Cup, and I am quiet sure this is the first time Israeli speedskaters will be participating. The race is on the 9th of September, so be sure to check back for results and reports!
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Results are in!

I just managed to pull up the official Senior Men Marathon Results of the www.cali2007rollersport.com website, and I did much, MUCH better than I thought. At 56 place, out of 105, I'm nearly smack in the middle of the list. Placed ahead of quiet a few athletes from Colombia, The USA and South Korea, who had impressive results in all the other races. That just goes to show how far a little bit of perseverance can take you.

Here is a copy of the results, in case the official site goes down:

POS	NUM	DELEGATION	NAME AND SURNAME	MEDAL
1	120	United States - Estados Unidos	JOSEPH MANTIA R.	ORO/GOLD
2	85	Italy - Italia	LUCA SAGGIORATO	PLATA/SILVER
3	83	Italy - Italia	FRANCESCO ZANGARINI	BROCE/BRONZE
4	84	Italy - Italia	GREGORIO DUGGENTO
5	86	Italy - Italia	LUCA PRESTI
6	53	France - Francia	YANN GUYADER
7	39	Colombia - Colombia	JULIAN ANDRES RIVERA MENDOZA
8	40	Colombia - Colombia	NELSON GARZON ORDONEZ
9	52	France - Francia	THOMAS BOUCHER
10	68	Holland - Holanda	SJOERD HUISMAN
11	115	Spain - Espana	NICOLAY GARIKOITZ LERGA
12	125	Venezuela - Venezuela	DANIEL ALVAREZ
13	37	Colombia - Colombia	JORGFE LUIS CIFUENTES MENDEZ
14	137	Switzerland - Suiza	SEVERIN WIDMES
15	117	Switzerland - Suiza	NICOLAS ITEN
16	33	China Taipei - China Taipei	WEI-LIN LO
17	57	Germany - Alemania	PASCAL RAMALI
18	38	Colombia - Colombia	JUAN NAYIB TOBON CUERO
19	121	United States - Estados Unidos	JOSHUA WOOD R.
20	129	Venezuela - Venezuela	JOSE A. BASTIDAS
21	116	Switzerland - Suiza	ADRIAN LEEMANN
22	51	France - Francia	JULIEN SOURRISSEAU
23	1	Argentina - Argentina	DAMIAN FERNANDEZ
24	94	New Zealand - Nueva Zelanda	REYON KAY
25	2	Argentina - Argentina	DAVID SIANO
26	128	Venezuela - Venezuela	JAVIER OYALBIS
27	49	France - Francia	FABIEN HASCOET
28	5	Argentina - Argentina	RUBEN MARTINEZ
29	56	Germany - Alemania	NICO WIEDUWILT
30	126	Venezuela - Venezuela	FABRIZIO ERVITTI
31	87	Italy - Italia	MATTEO AMABILI
32	118	United States - Estados Unidos	JAMES CHEEK M.
33	31	China Taipei - China Taipei	LI-TSE TANG
34	63	Guatemala - Guatemala	EDY EDUARDO CAROL VILLATORO GOMEZ
35	77	Iran - Iran	AMIRREZA BAHRAENI MOGHADAM
36	47	Ecuador - Ecuador	LUIS CHICAIZA
37	42	Costa Rica	ALBERT ARCE
38	76	Iran - Iran	AMIN MOHAZEBNIA
39	17	Brazil - Brasil	GELBERTO VELOSO
40	101	Poland - Polonia	BARTOSZ PISAREK
41	64	Guatemala - Guatemala	MARCO VINICIO TZUL LOPEZ
42	91	Mexico - Mexico	MARCOS MOTTA SANCHEZ
43	44	Costa Rica	JHONSON ROJAS
44	103	South Africa - Sudafrica	MARCEL LOUW
45	74	India - India	SATHI BRAHMA TEJA
46	21	Canada - Canada	SERGIO ALMERALLA CALVA
47	15	Brazil - Brasil	EDINAZIO DE OLIVEIRA
48	16	Brazil - Brasil	EDSON ALMEIDA
49	102	South Africa - Sudafrica	BRIAN BALOYI
51	60	Great Britain - Gran Bretana	GRUIN POLLOCK
52	75	India - India	VIKRAM BACHU JAGANATH
53	30	China Taipei - China Taipei	CHUNG - WEI CHIANG
54	140
55	99	Pakistan - Pakistan	MEHER EJAZ AHMED
56	81	Israel - Israel	BOAZ ARAD
57	100	Panama - Panama	GABRIEL ALEXANDER CISNEROS GóMEZ
58	71	India - India	DEO SUYASH SUNEEL
59	70	Hong Kong - Hong Kong	DANIEL YEE KAI YEOW
60	61	Great Britain - Gran Bretana	SIMON DAVIS
61	69	Hong Kong - Hong Kong	BONE HO CHEUNG LEE
62	50	France - Francia	JULIEN DESPAUX
62	104	South Korea - Korea del Sur	HOUN HE LEE
63	122	United States - Estados Unidos	JUSTIN STELLY J.
64	112	Spain - Espana	FRANCISCO JOSE PEULA CABELLO
65	65	Holland - Holanda	MARK HORSTEN
66	12	Belgium - Belgica	FERRE SPRUYT
67	119	United States - Estados Unidos	JONATHAN GARCIA A.
68	123	United States - Estados Unidos	SEBASTIAN CANO
69	35	Colombia - Colombia	CAMILO ANDREZ OROZCO FUENTES
70	73	India - India	MARUVADA CHAITANYA
71	98	New Zealand - Nueva Zelanda	WAYNE BEGG
72	89	Mexico - Mexico	ALAN CORONADO FIGUEROA
73	11	Australia - Australia	SAMUEL EVANS
74	7	Australia - Australia	COREY PRICE
75	130	Venezuela - Venezuela	JUAN JOSE JARDINE
76	18	Brazil - Brasil	PAULO MARQUEZ
77	133	Cuba - Cuba	TONY GARCIA ACUNA
78	55	Germany - Alemania	MATTHIAS SCHWIERZ
79	54	Germany - Alemania	DENNIS DRESSEL
80	107	South Korea - Korea del Sur	MYUNG KYU LEE
81	58	Germany - Alemania	VICTOR WILKING
82	66	Holland - Holanda	MICHEL MULDER
83	3	Argentina - Argentina	EZEQUIEL CAPELLANO
84	4	Argentina - Argentina	GONZALO SEGUEL
85	6	Australia - Australia	ANDREW FINSTER
86	9	Australia - Australia	EDWARD DIMMACK
87	14	Brazil - Brasil	DOUGLAS DONATO C
88	28	China - China	HUO JIAMING
89	32	China Taipei - China Taipei	PEI-HSUAN HO
90	34	China Taipei - China Taipei	YEN-SHENG LIAO
91	41	Colombia - Colombia	OSWALDO SAEZ PERNETT
92	43	Costa Rica	ALVARO GUZMAN
93	48	Ecuador - Ecuador	PEDRO COELLAR
94	59	Great Britain - Gran Bretana	CHRISSTOPHER STAFFOR
95	67	Holland - Holanda	RONALD MULDER
96	82	Italy - Italia	FABIO FRANCOLINI
97	93	New Zealand - Nueva Zelanda	PETER HOMBURG
98	95	New Zealand - Nueva Zelanda	SCOTT ARLIDGE
99	96	New Zealand - Nueva Zelanda	SHANE DOBBIN
100	97	New Zealand - Nueva Zelanda	SHAUN PERKINSON
101	105	South Korea - Korea del Sur	JUN HEE LEE
102	106	South Korea - Korea del Sur	MIN HO KIM
103	109	South Korea - Korea del Sur	YOO JONG NAM
104	124	Venezuela - Venezuela	ALEJANDRO SILVA
105	136	Switzerland - Suiza	RAPHAEL PFULG

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