News
SITRIN STARS – TEAM USA - WILL GET FREE ICE TIME IN LAKE PLACID!
Rare September Ice Time Could Give Wheelchair Curlers An Edge
The United States Olympic Committee has invited Wheelchair Curling Team USA, comprised entirely of Sitrin STARS (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports) athletes, to train at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center, September 4-7. According to Sitrin STARS Director, Marc DePerno, the Training Center has also agreed to waive all of the fees for housing, meals, and ice rental.
“Team USA is very excited to have this opportunity, and is hopeful that this will become an annual event,” said DePerno. “Having ice in September is rare for curlers, so we will use this opportunity to practice several of the new rule changes being implemented this year.”
This year there are three new rule changes in wheelchair curling.
- Games will be timed, allotting 68 minutes per team, per game.
- Teams will now compete in eight-end games. Previously teams competed in six-end games.
- Curlers will now have a wider delivery zone. Previously, the stone had to begin on the center line. Now, curlers may move the stone 18 inches to the left or right of the center line, allowing for more angling opportunities.
All of these changes are designed to better align wheelchair curling with able-bodied curling.
In February, Team USA won the bronze medal at the 2008 World Wheelchair Curling Championships. This was the first time the United States Wheelchair Curling Team ever won a medal in the World Championships! DePerno is hopeful that this extra practice time will help lead Team USA to another medal. He added, “This year, we’re going for gold!”
“On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center is very excited to work with Wheelchair Curling as it is a new sport to our facility and to the historic town of Lake Placid,” said Jared Steenberge, United States Olympic Committee Assistant Manager. “We look forward to supporting the development of this sport, and hope that it builds upon the Bronze Medal performance at last year’s World Championships.” Steenberge added, “With the help of the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and its historic Olympic Center, I am sure the team will be thrilled with its experience in Lake Placid.”
Team USA will compete at the 2009 World Wheelchair Curling Championships to be held in Vancouver. The team has also qualified for the Paralympic Games in 2010. The Sitrin STARS program, in collaboration with the Utica Curling Club, has produced national champions in each of the last four years.
Top
|
