Skating in Latin America. History, present and future.

[Mafke]

There seems to be a viable roller figure skating scene in some latin american countries. That seems more realistic than trying to develop an ice skating culture from scratch.

 

[dress]

donovan is a cutie!

But wasn't there a Mexican skater skating to music with Chewbaca noises this year? I seem to recall comments about it but never saw the skate and would love to.

Who did this? I would like to see it.

 

[StitchMonkey]

Who did this? I would like to see it.

I recall there were comments on it I think at Salk Lake/US Classic. Looking at the entries, none from Mexico so not sure what I was thinking. It was someone down on the rankings, so I never found a fan cam (I remember looking at the time) and I think there were comments in the vein of good for them for competing even if they were clearly not at the same level - an appreciation of them doing what they love.

 

[dorispulaski]

2014 World Synchro Mexico SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTLAptZpBAE

2013 World Synchro Mexico
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCi_QFQj8cU

 

[ice coverage]

Hodge-podge of stuff:

(1) New article today:

Mexican figure skating team getting helping hand from Elvis Stokko
By Steve Buffery
Sat, Apr 4, 2015
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/04/0...g-team-getting-helping-hand-from-elvis-stokko (Canadian newspaper site misspelled Stojko )​

via Skate Today​

(2) The Puerto Rico Figure Skating Federation has been suspended from the ISU effective immediately, according to the ISU Communication on Apr 2.

... The Council noted that the PRFSF does not fulfill anymore several ISU Membership requirements. The Council also noted the lack of continued international activity as well as lack of response to ISU inquiries. ...
http://static.isu.org/media/198197/1933-decisions-of-the-council-communication.pdf​

(3) Disson held some major ice shows in Brazil in summer 2014 -- with Boitano and other big-name stars. Don't know if the show also was televised there (whether on tape or otherwise). Or anywhere, for that matter. Disson did not air it on US tv, AFAIK.

Laureano (Larry) Ibarra was raised in Venezuela for some years.

He coaches with his adopted mother, pairs coach Dalilah Sappenfield (coaches Max and Maddie and Alexa and Chris) and was in the kiss and cry at nationals with them. Normally I would not flag adopted, but she adopted him after she started coaching him when his parents died. That is such a sweet story if anything denoting adopted is just to highlight how sweet the story is.

He did compete in pairs with a number of partners for the USA. Maybe he should have tried skating for Venezuela.

Thank you, Stitch. I previously knew only that Larry was coaching along with his mother Dalilah. I like the sweet backstory .

 

[Barb]

Interesting articles golden411. And I did not know Gladys was married with Elvis S.

 

[desertskates]

I visited Ciudad Juarez about 20 years ago for a day trip from El Paso. I was quite surprised to find a mall rink in decent condition with a teacher working with young kids on waltz jumps and such. Unfortunately, that's a very dangerous city now, but at least they had good intentions at the time.

I'm also surprised Argentina hasn't produced more skaters. Hope they will in the future!

 

[moriel]

Went to the local ice rink today (Campinas - Brazil)
Actually i was around with a friend, and he, knowing i was interested, dragged me to the rink...
The ice looked like it hasnt been resurfaced for weeks =(

 

[dorispulaski]

http://patinandoecantando.blogspot.com.br/

The above blog covers ice and roller skating in Brazil, and has photos of what appears to be an ice rink in Sao Paolo. The same guy has a youtube channel.

If Brazilians can roller skate like this, perhaps we will see some ice skaters from Brazil ...

With

http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=/#/watch?v=LzrsqgtkLJw
Marcel Sturmer Brazil Roller Skating Championships 2014 fs

Gustavo Casado Brazil Roller Skating Championships 2014
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aLC9w2xegCY

 

[plushyfan]

Interesting, this video was made after Vancouver: Brazilian fans' tribute to King of Ice - Evgeni Plushenko https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvUrQzYiFq4
But became prohibited in last year. :scowl:

The uploader is "EVGENI PLUSHENKO BRAZIL" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDZZGsE2_KdYCLrma_6zkFA They said in Brazilia Plushenko has cca 1000 fans .