Speed demons they were, young and old!
Held over two days from 23 – 24 August 08, the fourth stage of the Singapore Inline Cup (SIC 4) saw many local and international speed skaters battling it out to prove who was the top speed demon!
For those who are unfamiliar with this competition, Singapore Inline Cup is actually a series of speed skating races, the first of a kind in Singapore. Here’s what unique about SIC 4:
- For the first time here the competition is conducted according to international competition rules.
- It features automatic time recording in all races with results available almost instantly.
- Races on the track are done based on specification up to international parameters.
- Night races have been conducted too (300m Individual Time Trial finals).
- SIC 4 saw 500m and 1,000m races within the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.
- Ranking points are calculated automatically using special software.
It was also the first time the competition saw international participation with two teams from India, two teams from Indonesia, as well as other teams from HK and Malaysia participating. There were also a total of 17 different races with some 30 participants in each race. The youngest participant was only 7 years old while the oldest participant was 61! Who ever said that speed skating was only for teenagers?
The event also featured Slalom (skating through obstacles) demonstration by Micro Team from Singapore, Roller Figure Skating by Indian athletes and a Roller Ball game introduced by Indian Federation with some SIC participants joining in the fun.
According to Maxim, one of the main organisers of SIC 4, speed skating is not a very developed sport in Singapore yet although local athletes have participated in the World Championship held in Korea two years ago.
“This may be due to the lack of facilities to train and regular speed skating events. The results of this competition seem to confirm this as well. Indonesian and Hong Kong skaters were dominating the podium in every race with local athletes only qualifying to fight for the Bronze.”
“However, overall, it was a great learning experience for local athletes - such events help to raise the standard of Singapore skaters. Of course, making new friends with athletes from our neighbouring countries and having so much fun at the post-race barbeque at East Coast Park truly made this weekend unforgettable!”
Selection for the National Team also took place during SIC 4. The skaters were chosen based on the results of SIC 4 races.
Here they are:
Men
1 Chew Wee Daniel Senior
2 Daryl Chan Chiang Senior
3 Terence Chew De Xun Senior
4 Bertrand Chew Junior
Women
1 Ethel Lui Sut Ching Senior
2 Phyllis Choo Junior